Game 3: Portland State

Conference: Big Sky

2009 Record: 23-10, 11-3 (2nd). NCAA first round

2010 Record: 0-2

Coach: Tyler Geving, 0-2 career record

Key Players:

Dominic Waters: 6-1 Guard, Senior. 113.6 ORTG, 14 PPG, 4 APG

Melvin Jones: 5-10 Guard, Junior.16 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 54.6 3FG%

Phil Nelson: 6-7 Forward, Junior. 11 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3 APG

Scouting Portland State:

Portland State has been the worst team so far in the Athletes in Action tournament. They lost games to both Belmont and Wright State, and didn't play particularly well in either game. They are likely feeling the loss of former coach Ken Bone as well as point guard Jeremiah Dominguez. They are unimpressive on both ends of the floor, though they do have some talent. The dangerous thing about Portland State is their 3 point shooting. They shoot a lot of them, and they shoot them well. If they get hot they can give better teams a scare.

How to Beat Them:

Perimeter defense. Getting out on three point shooters and not allowing clean looks is going to be the top priority. Last year Matthew Bryan-Amaning had one of the best games of his career against Portland State, and after last night's explosion this seems like the perfect opportunity for him to show he can be the man down low consistently. This game should be a lot like the Belmont game. If the Huskies lace up their running shoes they should be able to run Portland State right out of the gym.

Prediction:

The Huskies finish the AIA tournament with an unblemished 3-0 record. Isaiah Thomas and Quincy Pondexter should prove to be too much for the Vikings, and if a third player emerges as MBA did last night, PSU has little to no chance. If the Vikings hit their outside shots, then they can keep it close but as has been the case for the previous two games, the Huskies simply have too much talent for PSU to play an entire 40 minutes with them.

UW 88 - PSU 64

Vegas: UW -16

Viewing: 7:00 FSN, Bank of America Arena