The Portland State Vikings men’s basketball team is preparing for a key matchup against the Montana State Bobcats on Thursday, February 26, in Bozeman, Montana. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. Mountain Time and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Portland State (18-8 overall, 12-3 Big Sky) has already secured at least a share of the Big Sky Conference regular season title with three games left to play. They currently hold a three-game lead over both Montana State and Eastern Washington (each at 9-6 in conference). One more win by Portland State or a loss by either of their closest competitors would give the Vikings the outright championship heading into the Big Sky Conference Tournament scheduled for March 7-11 in Boise, Idaho.
This marks Portland State’s first regular-season league title in 18 years. Despite losing their most recent game to Eastern Washington, results elsewhere kept their lead intact. “Earning the outright title is job one for the Vikings and they want to do it at Montana State (though it could occur on any of the final three league dates – Thursday, Saturday or Monday).” The last time Portland State won regular season titles was in 2005 and 2008; they have also captured tournament championships in 2008 and 2009.
Montana State (15-13 overall, 9-6 Big Sky) sits second in the conference but has lost two straight games and five of its last seven. The Bobcats are seeking to maintain their position for a first-round bye in the upcoming tournament.
Earlier this season, Portland State defeated Montana State 63-54 at home behind Keyon Kensie Jr.’s career-high performance: “Behind a career-high 24 points from Keyon Kensie Jr. the Vikings won the battle for first place.” In that contest, Kensie contributed significantly on both ends of the floor with scoring and steals that helped turn momentum toward Portland State.
Historically, Montana State leads the all-time series against Portland State, particularly when playing at home in Bozeman where PSU has only six wins compared to twenty-four losses since joining the Big Sky Conference.
The Vikings are led by Head Coach Jase Coburn who is now in his fourth season with an overall record of 80-72. On Montana State’s side, Matt Logie serves as head coach in his third year.
Statistically this season, Portland State leads several defensive categories within the conference including scoring defense (69.5 points allowed per game), field goal percentage defense (.407), three-point defense (.308), steals (7.5 per game), and turnovers forced (12.6 per game). Senior center Tre-Vaughn Minott tops individual rebounding stats while senior forward Terri Miller Jr., averaging nearly twenty points per game, ranks second among all players in scoring average during conference play.
Attendance records have also been notable this year for Portland State; their recent home game against Idaho drew a crowd of over two thousand fans—a new high mark for Viking Pavilion since its opening eight years ago.
Both teams will look to improve their positions before postseason play begins next month.
