Raising Hell - From the desk of Nathan Hellman
Vikings are Oregon's best bargain
By: Nathan Hellman
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Sports
For years, Portland State athletics has been an afterthought in the consciousness of Oregon sports fans. In this state, you're either a Duck or Beaver. It's that cut and dry. It's that plain and simple.
A major reason for this cold shoulder toward the Vikings is that Portland State has a history of losing. While the Ducks are fighting for Final Four berths and the Beavers are hoisting NCAA Baseball National Championship trophies, the Vikings are usually remarking, "We'll be better next year. Just wait."
The long-time public sentiment is Portland State cannot compete with the Ducks or Beavers in athletics--not on the basketball court, football field or softball diamond.
But this may be the first year the Vikings can claim they're better than both Oregon and Oregon State in one sport. And it's not a fringe sport--it is maybe Oregon's most popular sport: basketball.
The Vikings have flourished this season, dominating Big Sky foes with an 11-2 record in conference play and sustaining a nine-game winning streak at one point. For Portland State, it's been a breakthrough season.
While the Vikings have been blowing out teams and reeling off long winning streaks, the basketball gods have not been as kind to the Ducks and Beavers.
Portland State sits atop the Big Sky standings, while the Ducks have compiled a pedestrian overall record and are the Pac-10's eighth-place team, and the Beavers are fading into near oblivion with a 0-15 mark against Pac-10 foes.
There's no need for the Vikings and Beavers to suit up. It's more than evident that Portland State would crush their counterparts from Corvallis in a head-to-head matchup.
But Oregon would be a different story. Even though the Ducks are ranked No. 56 in the RPI compared to Portland State's No. 115 ranking, a game between these two squads would be extremely close.
Let's not fret over who would win. The truth of the matter is while Oregon has more talented players, the Vikings are a more cohesive team. So, the teams would likely split a series.
A major reason for this cold shoulder toward the Vikings is that Portland State has a history of losing. While the Ducks are fighting for Final Four berths and the Beavers are hoisting NCAA Baseball National Championship trophies, the Vikings are usually remarking, "We'll be better next year. Just wait."
The long-time public sentiment is Portland State cannot compete with the Ducks or Beavers in athletics--not on the basketball court, football field or softball diamond.
But this may be the first year the Vikings can claim they're better than both Oregon and Oregon State in one sport. And it's not a fringe sport--it is maybe Oregon's most popular sport: basketball.
The Vikings have flourished this season, dominating Big Sky foes with an 11-2 record in conference play and sustaining a nine-game winning streak at one point. For Portland State, it's been a breakthrough season.
While the Vikings have been blowing out teams and reeling off long winning streaks, the basketball gods have not been as kind to the Ducks and Beavers.
Portland State sits atop the Big Sky standings, while the Ducks have compiled a pedestrian overall record and are the Pac-10's eighth-place team, and the Beavers are fading into near oblivion with a 0-15 mark against Pac-10 foes.
There's no need for the Vikings and Beavers to suit up. It's more than evident that Portland State would crush their counterparts from Corvallis in a head-to-head matchup.
But Oregon would be a different story. Even though the Ducks are ranked No. 56 in the RPI compared to Portland State's No. 115 ranking, a game between these two squads would be extremely close.
Let's not fret over who would win. The truth of the matter is while Oregon has more talented players, the Vikings are a more cohesive team. So, the teams would likely split a series.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Aaron Hill
posted 2/29/08 @ 12:55 PM PST
I almost agree with you. PSU is better than OSU this year in Basketball. But not Oregon. Even though Oregon has been VERY bad in some games, they do have some quality wins including beating Kansas State on the road. (Continued…)
Post a Comment