2012-13 Big Sky Conference Basketball Countdown: Portland State

Continuing with the countdown, the Portland State Vikings are featured.  The men's basketball team concluded their 2011-12 season with a 17-15 record and a berth in the Big Sky tournament, falling in the conference semifinals to eventual runner-up Weber State.  The women's team had a nearly equal season with a 15-14 campaign, but they missed the conference tournament for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

MBB: The men's basketball team made their first conference tournament since 2010, and just like the last time there, their season came to an end against eventual conference runner-up Weber State.  Head coach Tyler Geving is entering his third season in charge, after he took over the program from previous head coach Ken Bone (who went to Washington State after the 2008-09 season).  He has a team with no freshmen, as the vast majority of his team consists of transfers from junior colleges and two other Division I schools.  Among the five seniors on the roster include forward Renado Parker (pictured above left, #30 green), who is the team's top returning scorer and rebounder from last season, although he did not start any games.  Two starters are back, both are senior guards--Lateef McMullan and Michael Harthun.

VERDICT: This team has continued to make improvement under Geving's tutelage, and expect more of the same again this season, despite not having any freshmen on their roster.  They're a good team that can't be overlooked, as they should be able to fly under the radar for much of the season, and make another trip to the conference tournament.

WBB: Missing the Big Sky tournament is not typical of a Portland State team that plays under sixth-year head coach Sherri Murrell (right).  One year after hosting the conference tournament and two years after winning it, the Viking women just missed out on the tournament despite posting a respectable 15-14 record.  This year, the Vikings bring back four of their five starters from last season, as the only starter they lost to graduation was guard Eryn Jones, who was second on the team in scoring with 13.3 ppg.  Junior guard Kate Lanz, last season's newcomer of the year, led the Vikings in both scoring & rebounding last season at just under 16 points/game and 7.3 rebounds/game respectively.  Other returning starters include senior guards Courtney VanBrocklin and Karley Lampman, and junior forward Keaton McFadden.

VERDICT: Murrell is one of the best coaches in the Big Sky Conference, and she knows how to put together a very good team year in and year out.  With four starters back in the fold, a return to the Big Sky tournament shouldn't be out of the question for this talented squad.

UP NEXT: Northern Arizona

Photo credits: University of Oregon athletics (Parker) and Associated Press (Murrell)