Vikings and Bobcats Clash for Big Sky Supremacy in Crucial Saturday Showdown
Portland State (13-6, 7-1) and Montana State (13-9, 7-2) will battle for sole possession of first place in the Big Sky Conference on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Viking Pavilion in Portland, Oregon. The highly anticipated matchup, presented by Les Schwab Tires, comes on the heels of a rare home loss for the Vikings and a road defeat for the Bobcats, setting the stage for a pivotal contest at the midpoint of the league season. The game will be live-streamed on ESPN+, with play-by-play commentary from Matt Richert and analysis from Devon Pouncey. Live stats will be available at www.Vikslive.livestats.us.
Vikings Look to Rebound After Rare Home Setback
Portland State aims to quickly recover from a 72-65 loss to Montana on Thursday, a game marked by a season-low shooting percentage of .383 and a costly 17 turnovers. Despite the setback, the Vikings remain in first place, benefiting from Montana State’s 83-80 loss at Sacramento State. PSU has held the top spot in the Big Sky since the start of conference play. “Redemption is but a day away in the Big Sky Conference,” a team spokesperson noted, emphasizing the team’s focus on Saturday’s game.
The loss snapped PSU’s seven-game winning streak – the program’s longest in 18 seasons – and ended a 15-game Big Sky Conference home winning streak dating back to 2024. However, the Vikings’ resilience has been a hallmark of their season, and they possess the offensive firepower to return to their winning ways.
Offensive Struggles and Bobcats’ Strengths
Portland State’s recent offensive output has been a concern, failing to reach 70 points in four consecutive games, despite winning three of those contests. Prior to this stretch, the Vikings were averaging a robust 83 points per game. Montana State presents a significant offensive challenge, averaging just under 80 points per game with impressive shooting splits (.469/.371/.754), connecting on over 10 three-pointers per game, and committing a league-low 10.5 turnovers.
Both teams are eager to regain their momentum. Prior to Thursday’s losses, Portland State had won seven straight, while Montana State had secured victories in nine of their previous ten games.
Key Players to Watch
Portland State boasts a dynamic trio of senior leaders. Senior forward Terri Miller Jr., the reigning Big Sky Conference Player of the Week, leads the conference in scoring with 19.4 points per game. Senior center Tre-Vaughn Minott dominates the boards, averaging 8.9 rebounds per game, and is a force defensively. Senior guard Jaylin Henderson contributes 17.4 points, 6.2 assists, and ranks among the top ten in seven statistical categories.
Montana State is led by senior guard Jed Miller, who averages 14.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 58 assists. Senior forward Patrick McMahon adds 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds, while senior guard Davian Brown and sophomore forward Christian King each contribute 12.7 points per game.
Historical Context and Coaching Matchup
Montana State holds a 42-29 advantage in the all-time series and a 35-26 lead in Big Sky Conference matchups. However, Portland State has found success on its home court, leading 19-11 in games played in Portland. The teams have split their season series in each of the last two years.
Last season’s contests were tightly contested. In Bozeman, Montana State narrowly defeated Portland State 74-73, surviving a frantic late rally. At Viking Pavilion, PSU responded with a 69-52 victory, asserting its dominance inside.
Portland State is coached by Jase Coburn, who is in his fourth season and holds an overall record of 75-70. He is 2-6 against Montana State. Matt Logie leads the Bobcats, with a 45-45 record in his third season, including a 2-2 mark against the Vikings.
Vikings’ Record-Breaking Season and Upcoming Schedule
Portland State has achieved several program milestones this season, including the best undefeated start in Big Sky Conference play at 7-0. The Vikings have also established a new standard for consecutive Big Sky Conference home wins with 15. Individually, Tre-Vaughn Minott has broken school records for dunks in a season (47) and career (94). .
Following Saturday’s game, Portland State will host Idaho State on Monday, February 2, at 7 p.m., before traveling to Sacramento State on Saturday, February 7. All Big Sky Conference games are available to stream on ESPN+.
