The Vanguard Blogzone
May 7th, 2008
Ghostface!
By on May 7th, 2008
As promised, some Ghostface Killah tunes to go along with my commentary on Iron Man in today’s paper. (Sorry for the tardiness.)
“Clipse of Doom” MP3 HERE
“Nutmeg” MP3 HERE
“Marvel” MP3 HERE
April 14th, 2008
Tonight: Tony Scherr
By on April 14th, 2008
Tonight: Tony Scherr at Berbati’s Pan w/ Charmparticles, $10
I’m sick. Not vomiting sick, just… tired. I’m tired of the glut of singer-songwriters that invade my ears and fill them with acoustic-guitar melodies and lyrics about lost love. Sure, occasionally there’s a bright spot, a talented musician who pushes the genre or at least writes really significant songs, but more often than not—and in the case of Tony Scherr—the music is just mediocre.
And that’s the hardest part. The songs on Scherr’s new album, Twist in the Wind, are fine examples of rock-based songwriting with the occasional jazzy departure. And his voice is textured and endearing, if obviously untrained. There’s just nothing vital here. Tracks like “Shopgirl” and “Between” easily slide into the background, living up to their cliché titles and whimpering attitude.
Maybe, just maybe, Scherr will come off better live.
April 11th, 2008
Jimmy Eat World show review
By on April 11th, 2008
When Jimmy Eat World took the stage Thursday night at the Salem Armory, the audience echoed the agony of “Pain.” They listened with hushed attention during “Hear You Me.” And they sung it back (whoa oh oh oh) during “The Sweetness.”
Arguably the finest example of contemporary emo-rock, Jimmy’s live performance does justice to their stellar album sound. Their beautiful song craft and palpable energy were intact and reflected by the 5,000-strong crowd—mostly a throng of middle- and high-school girls sporting tight-hugging jeans and T-shirts.
The stage lighting effects complemented the sound rather well, though sometimes at the cost of the crowd’s retinas. The smoke machine was neat at first, until it became a two-front war on my lungs to both suck in the dense cloud and scream along with the choruses.
With all that said, Jimmy laid down a superb spectacle of sight and sound (and smoke) that more than justified the price of admission. If you have the means to catch one of their shows later this tour, do so. If not, cross your fingers and hope their next tour includes a stop actually in Portland, not an I-5 commute away.
Oh, and um…Paramore played too. Er…rock on.
April 9th, 2008
Get on TV!
By on April 9th, 2008
If you’ve ever seen VH1’s reality dating show, The Pick Up Artist, then you’ve seen the saddest depths of human interaction.
Now you have a chance to join those depths. The Pick Up Artist is casting in Portland, and they’re looking for “single guys who need help asking women out!!!”
The casting call is tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 635 N.W. 16th Ave.
From the press release:
Specific casting requirements: “Quirky, likeable or geeky guys 21-32 who are a bit socially stunted when it comes to the ladies.”
“Need to be available for filming the month of June”
If you can’t make it tommorrow, email a photo, short bio and contact information to submit@dannystoltzcasting.com or call 503-227-6055.
March 21st, 2008
This weekend’s shows (with mp3s!)
By on March 21st, 2008
Tonight:
Black Moth Super Rainbow
9 p.m. at the Wonder Ballroom
$10, all-ages
I just finished jamming Black Moth Super Rainbow’s latest album, Dandelion Gum, for the third time—and they’ve kind of grown on me. I still think they’re boring, but boring in a good, sleeping-aid type of way.
The band’s songs all sound about the same: slow burning synth-rock that kind of goes nowhere played over simple drum beats with occasional vocoder vocals. There are hints of psychedelia sure, but Black Moth’s music almost immediately relegates itself to a fine background tenor. It’s pleasant and unobtrusive. And it’s competently played. But, that isn’t really enough.
Black Moth Super Rainbow MP3 HERE
Indian
9 p.m. at Berbati’s Pan
$10, 21-plus
Woooo! Doom-metal! This is the first time Chicago metallers Indian have come to Portland and if you like super-loud, super-aggro, heavy-ass music the you must check out this show. Also on the bill are Eugene thunder-bearers Middian, one of the finest heavy-metal bands going.
Indian MP3 HERE
March 20th, 2008
Historical ride ends, Vikings lose 85-61
By on March 20th, 2008
For forty minutes Thursday morning, the Portland State Vikings had the opportunity to do something no other team in the country had done: defeat a number one seed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Vikings could have made history and been the first No. 16 seed in 92 tries to defeat a No. 1 seed. They would have been the darlings of the national basketball scene.
Instead, the Kansas Jayhawks out shot and out muscled the Vikings on their way to a 85-61 victory, leaving Portland State behind as another victim in the wake of a basketball giant seeking a national championship.
“I don’t think it’s any secret Kansas is a great basketball team,” said head coach Ken Bone. “They showed it today, how strong they are in a lot of different areas, and we tried to stop them a few different ways, but we struggled in almost every one of those areas.”
Portland State was overmatched in nearly every facet of the game. Junior guard Brandon Rush had his way with the Vikings in the first half, hitting 6 of 11 shots for 15 points, and junior guard Mario Chalmers added 10 of his 16 points in the first twenty minutes, as the Jayhawks drained eight three-pointers to build a 49-26 halftime lead. Rush finished with a game-high 18 points.
Kansas head coach Bill Self was impressed with the way his team performed over the first twenty minutes.
“Well, I thought we played very well the majority of the first half and shot the ball great and got off to a great start,” Self said.
The hot start by the Jayhawks all but killed the Vikings’ hopes of moving on to the second round. Sophomore forward Tyrell Mara came off the bench to lead Portland State with five points in the first half, but Kansas’ length and athleticism made it difficult for any Viking to get off a good shot.
“They were always there,” said senior forward Deonte Huff. “Even if you beat one guy, another guy was there. So, yeah, they had great defense.”
Throughout the game Portland State struggled to convert scoring opportunities and ended up shooting 38 percent overall. Kansas, on the other hand, capitalized early and often. The Jayhawks turned 16 Viking turnovers into 24 points, shot 54 percent from the field and scored 34 points in the paint.
The Vikings kept the game respectable in the second half, scoring 35 points and holding Kansas to 36 points. Junior guard Jeremiah Dominguez finally got free to dazzle the crowd on a couple of drives to the basket, and sophomore forward Alex Tiefenthaler made the most of his eight second-half minutes, scoring 10 points off the bench. Dominguez finished with a team-high 11 points. In his last game as a Viking, Huff added nine points and three steals.
After the game, Bone was noticeably emotional as he talked about how he addressed his team in the final minutes of the game.
“It’s a long five months and we go through a lot,” Bone said. “And there’s a lot of up and downs, but at the very end I wanted them to know just how proud I was of what they’ve accomplished this year.
March 20th, 2008
And it’s over
By on March 20th, 2008
Tiefenthaler is at the line again. He’s playing well and under control. He hits both. Andre Murray is at the line. The refs have finally decided to use their whistles, but it’s coming with just 4:25 left.
“Well, we made it to 50,” says sports editor Nathan Hellman. It’s 75-50. Tiefenthaler again! Let’s get this guy some PT next year. It’s 77-56 after a Dupree Lucas three. Kansas still has its big guns in.
The Jayhawks just hit 80 points. They have certainly taken the Vikings seriously. A sign of respect? Time out on the floor and its 82-58 with the Vikings shooting free throws when we come back from the break.
One of two for Dominguez at the line. Bone is putting all his seniors in. Classy move. Circus shot from Dominguez to break the 60-point barrier. Nice way to end his year, Hellman says. Agreed.
Under a minute to go. The seconds are ticking off the Vikings’ season. Curtis has the ball. The Jayhawks can dribble out the clock. Shot clock is off and a final rebound for Scott Morrison to end his career. Curtis clanks a three.
The game is over. Your final is 85-61. The Vikings are walking off the floor, ending their historic season. They are the best Portland State basketball team ever. They’ve got nothing to be ashamed of.
March 20th, 2008
Still working
By on March 20th, 2008
Back-to-back turnovers. Morrison’s father can be heard imploring his son to play hard. Chalmers momentarily awakens the crowd with a three.
It’s getting sloppy out there for both sides. Dominguez is checking back in after a prolonged stretch on the pine.
Robinson scores on a run out. He’s fast.
It’s almost a 30-point lead for Kansas now and the fight is slowly leaving the Vikings. Coach Ken Bone is still pacing and instructing his players. Tiefenthaler is at the line and hits both to make the score 73-46 with five minutes left. Dominguez hits a banker to make it 71-44 and then yaps to the refs.
March 20th, 2008
The inevitable approaches
By on March 20th, 2008
Beat writer Tim Foster comes through with an interesting stat: the foul differential is 17-7. I’ll let you guess which way that’s weighted.
Arthur misses a dunk after Coston steps in his way. Jackson makes up for it with a thunderous slam and it’s 61-36. A three by Dominguez brings the Vikings back to within 22 points.
Arthur again. He has too much size. Things are getting rough for the PSU bigs—little-used sophomore Alex Tiefenthaler is checking in.
Dominguez is shoved to the floor. There’s no call and it’s PSU ball. The PSU fans are begging for a couple more foul calls. Coston is at the line and misses both. Can’t complain if you can’t hit them.
A spectacular missed dunk by Kansas. PSU ball and it’s Polis at the point. Polis turns it over again, and the score is now 64-39. Make that 66-39 on a Chalmers lay-in.
Tiefenthaler hits a three to make it 66-42. He’s got a nice stroke. Polis is getting abused and the refs are choosing to swallow their whistles. Time out on the floor with 7:39 left. Are you savoring this, Vikings fans?
March 20th, 2008
Bogged down
By on March 20th, 2008
Sasha Kaun is at the line. He’s pretty awful and makes one of two. Curtis is still in the game and the Vikings are still struggling to get into their sets. Coston throws up a wild shot. He makes up for it by following a Huff miss.
Huff steals the ball and drives the lane for a bucket and a foul. He’s playing like he means it. These T.V. timeouts last ages. The players are finally making their way back to the court. Huff hits his free throw.
After a brief rest, Coston is back in. Kaun dunks it and gets the foul call. Brick on the free throw.
Nice offensive rebound by Mara. The game is going slowly now, with Kansas playing prevent offense and defense. Arthur hits a put-back to make it 59-36 and it’s another Vikings turnover.
March 20th, 2008
Hanging tough
By on March 20th, 2008
The second half starts with a stop for PSU and an Andre Murray three. Huff just picked up his second foul, so no worries there just yet. Even so, Mara will spell Huff. Kansas just went over the top to Jackson for an alley-oop dunk.
The pace has slowed to a crawl. Dominguez drives the lane only to get stripped and after a Russel Robinson three, order is restored in the Jayhawks’ world. The score is 54-29 at the 16-minute mark.
Huff is checking back in as well as Brian Curtis. Dominguez is getting upset with himself. Or the refs. Someone. He’s camped at the end of the bench with his jersey covering his mouth.
Huff drives the lane and makes a lay-in despite being bumped. Someone shouts, “You’ll be Big Sky refs soon!”
It’s 54-31 and there’s time out on the floor.
March 20th, 2008
Half-time thoughts and stats
By on March 20th, 2008
Things went about as well as expected for the Vikings in the first half against No. 1 seed Kansas.
Athletic department administrator and former softball coach Teri Mariani said she had hoped the team could keep it within 15 points but that “a couple of key mistakes” towards the end of the half helped Kansas claim a 49-26 lead.
Scott Morrison, Deonte Huff and Julius Thomas each had four points, while Tyrell Mara led the team with five points on 2-2 shooting.
Turnovers were a problem for the Vikings, as they lost the ball 10 times to only six assists. Meanwhile, Kansas had 13 assists and just three turnovers.
The Vikings need to calm down and start taking some more threes. While they were 10-25 from the floor, the team shot 4-10 from three, right at their season average. The second half starts in a minute.
March 20th, 2008
Losing ground
By on March 20th, 2008
Thank heavens for Mickey Polis. He hits a three to make it 36-24. Of course, on the next play Polis commits a foul. Frustration is starting to boil over for the small but vocal group of Vikings fans. They aren’t pleased with the refereeing.
A quick comment about the Jayhawk mascot: It is possibly even goofier than Viktor E. Viking. Back to the action.
Kansas nails another three and its 41-24, now the largest lead of the game. Huff takes a tough shot inside and misses. Another three and it’s a 20-point lead. Panic time.
Finally, a score, and then an emphatic block by Huff. Too bad Thomas fouls Jackson. The seconds are ticking down on the half. A three by Collins to make it 49-26 caps a dominant half for Kansas.
March 20th, 2008
Danger time?
By on March 20th, 2008
Log onto www.ncaa.com for continuing NCAA Tournament coverage.
Out of the time out, a wide-open look for Mario Chalmers. He’s a good one. Deonte Huff answers right back with a driving lay-in and foul. He hits his shot. 24-18 Kansas now. Sherron Collins hits a big three to extend the lead back to nine.
Dominguez throws himself into the lane and gets the call. Chalmers dunks it after stealing the ball. After drawing to within six, Kansas has woken up again and it’s 31-18. That’s seven straight for the team in white and blue.
Out of a time out, Dominguez turns it over on a shot-clock violation. The Jayhawks’ quick is quicker than the Vikings’ quick. An example? Rush misses a three and grabs the board for an easy lay-in. The lead is now 18, the largest of the game and there is frustration on the faces of the Portland State squad.
Someone from the Vikings supporters’ section says, “You’re living the dream out there. Wake up!”
After a Julius Thomas bucket it’s 36-20 with four minutes to go in the half.
March 20th, 2008
Keeping it close
By on March 20th, 2008
Arthur scores again over Morrison. The Vikings can’t get into any of their offensive sets. Kansas has missed three straight free throws before Arthur nails one. Morrison lights up the Vikings fans with a dunk, drawing them to within nine before Arthur scores again.
Arthur is a pure beast. It’s doubtful PSU has anyone who can truly bang with him. A Brandon Rush three makes it 19-7 with 13 minutes to go. Jeremiah Dominguez hits a three to keep it reasonable.
Great look by Dominguez to Morrison for a lay-in. Now how about a stop? Instead it will be a Chalmers three-pointer to extend the lead to 22-12.
Tyrell Mara hits a three and suddenly its 22-15 and things aren’t looking so shabby. With a quarter of the game over, PSU is down just seven and there’s time out on the floor.
March 20th, 2008
Early trouble
By on March 20th, 2008
Since I don’t watch a lot of Big 12 basketball, I haven’t gotten a chance to see Kansas play that often. That said, they look big, mean and athletic–just like a No. 1 seed should.
While I’ve heard it’s a sellout today, the arena doesn’t look quite full. Still, it’s an impressive turnout and more people are still filing in. Most of PSU’s supporters, including administrators Lindsay Desrochers and Roy Koch, are located directly across from the Vikings’ bench.
It may be one of the worst sports clichés to say there is electricity in the air right now, but that’s the truth. The Vikings look calm and determined. Scott Morrison will tip it off against Arthur, who wins it easily.
Brandon Rush scores the game’s first points and takes a foul from Coston. The most noticeable thing so far is the increased speed at which Kansas plays the game. Coston’s three-pointer has settled things down and gotten PSU on the board.
A Mario Chalmers three and Darnell Jackson dunk extends the lead to 9-3 Kansas. Another dunk forces Bone to call his first time out. The Vikings need to score again to calm themselves down.
March 20th, 2008
We’re with the band
By on March 20th, 2008
“Bet you didn’t know Portland State had a band,” said Scott Morrison’s father, Alex.
No one did. And to have a group of rowdy band geeks getting riled up for Portland State’s biggest game is a pleasant surprise, indeed. They’re noisy, they play good music and they attack their job with enthusiasm.
Too bad they aren’t actual Portland State students. Instead, the band is from Cal State Fullerton and was hired for the Vikings’ NCAA tourney game against Kansas.
Not that we’re complaining. The first song they played was “Basket Case,” by Green Day—a fitting tribute to Portland State’s colors. They’ve even got Viktor E. Viking dancing.
March 20th, 2008
Final thoughts
By on March 20th, 2008
It’s a couple hours before tip-off here in Omaha. The team held a closed practice session this morning to go through final preparations before taking on Kansas, the No. 1 seed Midwest region juggernaut.
If you follow college basketball or have been tuning in to the Vanguard’s online Midwest Regional coverage, it’s likely you know the important stats, the key matchups, and the long odds Portland State faces this morning.
Here’s another number for Portland State fans to keep in mind: 92. The significance? As Vikings beat writer Tim Foster notes in his game preview, the NCAA held its first postseason basketball tournament in 1939. The NCAA expanded the field to 65 teams in 1985. All-time, No. 16 seeds are 0-92 against No. 1 seeds. Long odds, indeed.
At least Kansas fans are aware of the Vikings and seem to respect them, at least as much as you can respect a team dancing for the first time in March. Last night an older couple stopped by and chatted with us while we were eating a late dinner in downtown Omaha.
The couple, decked out in Jayhawks paraphernalia, knew Portland State and complimented the Vikings on a great year. And unlike some rabid fans that predicted an 80-point blowout as Portland State went through its open practice yesterday, these two were well aware of their team’s ability to underachieve from time to time.
They noted several disappointing tourney appearances by Kansas in recent years, and also a rough stretch for the team this year where they went 4-3 with losses to Kansas State, Texas and Oklahoma State. All three losses came on the road. In March, for mid-major schools, hope comes in small doses.
The Qwest Center is sold out for the Portland State-Kansas game and the atmosphere should be unlike anything most of the Vikings players have ever experienced. Win or lose, it is a momentous and historic day for the program and the university. And that’s an understatement. The Vanguard’s advice? Enjoy it, Vikings fans. It gets no better than this. Check back later for live blogging once the game begins at 9:25 a.m. PT.
March 19th, 2008
Lack of an intimidation factor
By on March 19th, 2008
Deonte Huff is confident the Vikings can compete with Kansas Thursday morning.
Before Portland State and Kansas kick off here in Omaha, Neb. in less than three hours, there are a few factoids the Vikings should know.
Kansas has maintained a 31-3 record in a difficult Big 12 this season.
The Jayhawks are the nation’s fourth best squad entering the NCAA Tournament.
The No. 1 seed is headlined by stars Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur, who both average 13 points and more than five rebounds a contest.
And, to add insult to injury, the school based out of Lawrence, Kansas, has already claimed a pair of national championships—victorious in 1952 and 1988—before facing Portland State in its first NCAA Tournament appearance this year.
Sounds like the Jayhawks have the credentials to force Portland State to fret, right? Well, that is not exactly the case for this Vikings club.
Despite the fact that a No. 16 seed has never beaten a No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament history and all the other historical factors that make this matchup look like a catastrophic mismatch, Portland State is still unconvinced that defeat is in its near future.
“Personally, I think we have a pretty good chance,” said senior guard Deonte Huff. “We’ve been practicing hard all week. We’ve been working hard all year. And we’ve put ourselves into position. So we’re not coming here just to lose. So, I mean, we’re pretty confident going into the game.”
Amidst a media frenzy with which most Viking players were unfamiliar Wednesday morning, Portland State players and coaches continued to count themselves in—not out like most March Madness aficionados and so-called experts.
While Portland State praised Kansas frequently and called the Jayhawks a “great team” more than once or twice, head coach Ken Bone and his squad were quick to point out that the Vikings are Big Sky champions and also feature some talent in players like first-team stud Huff, conference MVP Jeremiah Dominguez and Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year Scott Morrison.
History and popular belief may be against the Vikings, but they are under the impression that despite the unfavorable verbal remarks Portland State can perform on the same level as Kansas.
“What we have tired to talk about is, fortunately, this is not a seven-game series or a five-game series; it’s 40 minutes. Forty minutes of basketball, and anything can happen in 40 minutes,” Bone said.
As the clock ticks closer to tip off, the Vikings remain hopeful that a Portland State victory is not an impossible feat, however, Kansas may question the team from the South Park Blocks chances.
“I mean, not really,” junior guard Mario Chalmers said about whether any aspect of Portland State’s game worries the Jayhawks. “We faced a lot of good teams. A lot of teams play just like they do. As long as we play our game and we’re focused out there—competing—it’s going to be a good game.”
Dominguez and Morrison, both draw crucial matchups in Thursday’s contest, which will kick off the 2008 version of the NCAA Tournament.
Going head to head with one of the most dangerous on-ball defenders in college basketball in Chalmers, who ranks tenth in the nation with 2.4 steals per game, Dominguez must take care of the ball and ensure he passes out of, rather than dribbles into, trouble. But, remember, Dominguez is also speedy with his hands, nabbing a solid two steals a game this season.
Dominguez, a junior point guard, actually holds the advantage in the scoring department, averaging 14.3 points to his Kansas counterpart’s 12.4 points per game. Knocking down three-pointers and blasting past Chalmers with his swift quickness will be the key for Dominguez against the Big 12 champions.
While Dominguez and Chalmers will battle primarily out on the perimeter, Morrison will have his hands full with Arthur in the low post. A senior center, Morrison lacks agility and lateral quickness, which just so happen to be two strengths of Kansas’ 6-foot-9 forward.
Compiling a Big Sky-best 1.68 blocked shots per game, Morrison will need to rely on his shot-blocking ability and two-inch height advantage to contain the dangerous Arthur in the paint. A less conventional way to shut down Arthur is drawing early fouls on the sophomore forward, as he has a tendency to commit personal fouls early and often.
Just as the Vikings were filing off the floor at the end of practice Wednesday, a fan from the stands yelled, “If someone is going to do it, why not you guys?” The fan, seated three rows from the Qwest Center Arena hardwood, was obviously alluding to the fact that a No. 1 seed has never fallen to a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Based on the Vikings confidence and lack of intimidation of the historically-rich Jayhawks, it would not be a complete surprise if a couple of Portland State players and coaches were caught mumbling “Yeah, why not us?” in their sleep the night before the biggest game of their careers.
March 19th, 2008
By on March 19th, 2008
Kyle Coston goes up for a dunk during the Vikings’ pracitce Wednesday.
Deonte Huff, who averaged 14.8 points per game this season, figures to be an enormous cog in the Vikings’ offensive attack against Kansas Thursday.
Playing behind Jeremiah Dominguez this season, Kansas native Brian Curtis will play versus a couple familiar foes when Portland State locks up with the Jayhawks.
Big Sky Player of the Year Jeremiah Dominguez believes the Vikings will need a superb shooting performance from behind the arc in order to pull of an upset victory over Kansas.
Like Brian Curtis, senior guard Dupree Lucas is a Kansas native. Lucas will look to improve his game versus the squad from his hometown state following a tough year of injuries and underachieving performances.
March 19th, 2008
The Matchup: Portland State vs. Kansas
By on March 19th, 2008
The NCAA held its first ever postseason basketball tournament in 1939. Since then, a 16 seed has never defeated a No. 1 seed in tournament play.
Not even once.
Thanks to the NCAA Selection Committee’s decision Sunday to seed Portland State as a No. 16—rather than a 15 or 14—the Vikings will have the opportunity Thursday morning to make history when they face No. 1 Kansas in the opening round of the Midwest Regional in Omaha, Nebraska.
The fact that a No.16 has never beaten a No.1 has not been a big deal to the Vikings, but it is in the back of their minds.
“It can be done, it will be done,” said head coach Ken Bone. “I’m not saying it will be done tomorrow morning, or the next day, or next year, but at some point a 16 will beat a 1. It’s just a matter of when it happens.”
Junior guard Jeremiah Dominguez echoed Bone’s sentiments.
“It’s possible,” Dominguez said. “Sooner or later it’s going to happen, so why not this year?”
The Jayhawks are 31-3 this season and have won their last seven games, including an 84-74 victory over Texas in the Big 12 Tournament Championship last week. The Vikings are 23-9 and have won 14 of 15 games since Jan. 10.
Kansas is a team with a legitimate shot at winning the national championship. That is, if they can get by the Vikings first. If Portland State wants to compete with the Jayhawks, it will have to play nearly perfect in every facet of the game.
March 19th, 2008
Meet the Qwest Center
By on March 19th, 2008
Step onto the Qwest Center arena floor and two things immediately become apparent: the arena is a particularly drab shade of gray, and it is most certainly meant to host college basketball games.
Built just under five years ago with a capacity of 17,250, Qwest is slightly smaller than the Rose Garden but feels far more intimate. It serves as home court for Creighton University of the Missouri Valley Conference.
The seats are divided into just two sections separated by luxury suites. The upper deck seats are steep and hover over the court, and there are plenty of good sightlines—even at the very top and elbows.For the few Portland State faithful making the trip, getting good seats shouldn’t be a problem. Athletic director Torre Chisholm said once the team made the tournament, the athletic department worked to secure seats close to the action.
Tomorrow, look for Vikings fans to be huddled in a group behind the Portland State bench. Chisholm said more than 100 Portland State supporters purchased tickets.
“Some of them are alums that live locally. We have some family members coming out and a good number of boosters coming from Portland,” Chisholm said.
Chisholm said the arena, also a large convention center, was “well done.”
“It feels very intimate for a 17,000 seat arena,” he said. “It’s nice. Any region you go to, you’re going to play in a nice facility.”
Chisholm thanked the Rose Garden for letting the team practice for the past few days before leaving for Omaha. He said it was important for them to practice in a facility similar to Qwest Center so they would be better acclimated. He also noted that the Big Sky Tournament, held at the Rose Garden, should help with the acclimation process.
“I think that will help us,” he said.
Qwest Arena facts
Location: Omaha, Neb.
Opened: Sept. 2003
Capacity: 17, 250
Luxury suites: 32
Club seats: 1,100
The floor can be transformed from a hockey rink to a basketball court in an hour
A six-story building could be placed inside the arena
March 19th, 2008
Caught in the onslaught
By on March 19th, 2008
As dozens of reporters and cameramen filtered out of the Vikings locker room at the Qwest Center before the team’s Wednesday morning practice, junior forward Tyrell Mara sat in silence with a slightly dazed look on his face.
Minutes before the daunting media onslaught, the Vikings arrived at the arena on the team bus with a squad of police motorcycles as an escort detail. The NCAA Tournament circus had officially begun, at least for the unassuming team from the Rose City with major upset aspirations.
After the Vikings punched their tickets to Omaha last week, Big Sky Conference media man Jon Kasper urged PSU players to speak into the microphones during a postgame interview session, warning them that, “next week, there will be a lot more microphones.”
It’s next week, less than 24 hours before the Vikings’ historic matchup against No. 1 seed Kansas, and the microphones are omnipresent. So how is the team dealing with full-blown media frenzy (not to mention the pressure of being the first-ever PSU team to make the tourney)?
“I feel good,” Mara said. “It’s nice to be in this environment finally. Our coaches and others who have been through this have been telling us there’s going to be a lot of external distractions. I think we’re as best prepared as possible. It’s a totally different environment for us, so we’re still adapting.”
Assistant coach Eric Harper said he thinks the team is doing well, though he admitted it’s his first time as well.
“It’s new to all of us,” Harper said. “We’re still learning.”
The Vikings will learn what it’s like to play a No. 1 seed tomorrow morning. Until then, the circus continues.
More updates will follow today and tomorrow, with live blogging starting shortly before Portland State and Kansas tip off at 9:30 a.m. PT.
About This Blog
Your daily source of arts, opinion, breaking news and sports coverage.
Blog Archives
Recent Comments
- Ando on Was the Vanguard vs. KPSU bowling match rigged?.
Recent Posts
- Historical ride ends, Vikings lose 85-61
- And it's over
- Still working
- The inevitable approaches
- Bogged down
- Hanging tough
- Half-time thoughts and stats
- Losing ground
- Danger time?
- Keeping it close
RSS 2.0
