Big Sky Conference report

SportsLine.com Report
April 10, 2000

The Vikings finished 15-14 after going 17-11 the year before. It may have appeared to be a step back, but after leading scorer and rebounder and Big Sky newcomer of the year Ime Udoka went through back and knee injuries late in the year, it was a good run for the Vikings.

The Vikings started the league season with an 80-65 loss to Weber State, but then reeled off four straight wins. Then they stumbled, losing five straight.

Udoka's injury down the stretch killed them as they lost four of six down, and their first game in the Big Sky Conference Tournament.

A glance at 2001

Joel Sobotka, at just 30 years old and one of the youngest D-I coaches in the country, has quickly posted two winning seasons back to back at PSU, in a program that was re-started just four years ago after a 20-year hiatus.

Sobotka has some work to do next year as Ime Udoka, one of the Big Sky's top players, graduates. He led the Vikings in scoring (14.5) and rebounding (7.3) last season. Sharp-shooting guard Derek Nesland (6-6) is also gone, and he was the team's second-leading scorer. The team's third-leading scorer, Hassan Artharee (6-6) also departs.

Sobotka will have to rely on role players to step up next season, including up and coming Anthony Lackey (6-5, 215), who averaged a respectable 12.3 points a game as a sophomore last season. Ivan Garner (6-2) is capable at the point guard position, averaging a team-leading 3.5 a game.

Matt Elliott (6-8, 225) provides strength underneath, but he needs help. Portland State is devoid of low-post depth.

Sobotka has his own players in now and it appears his toughest coaching job will come this next season.

The coach

Sobotka is a young star in the coaching profession. The second-youngest head coach in the nation at 30, he's guided PSU to a 32-25 record in two seasons.

He's considered a solid recruiter and fabulous floor coach.

Who'll be back

Anthony Lackey, an athletic 6-5 swingman, appears to be a future star in the Big Sky Conference. He can shoot it (53 percent) from the field and was the team's second-leading rebounder at 5.5 a contest. With Udoka and Nesland graduating, the spotlight now shines on Lackey, who'll be a junior next season.

Matt Elliot has size (6-8, 225), but needs to rebound better (2.6 rebounds per game last season). Luke Dean (6-7, 220), Kevin Briggs (6-2, 160), Brad Degrenier (6-1, 165) all had solid seasons for the Vikings.

Ryan Roberts (6-2, 175) is an intriguing guard after taking a redshirt season this year.

Ivan Garner (6-2, 195) was a solid point guard and led the team in assists (3.5).

Who's gone

Ime Udoka (6-6, 215) played just one season at PSU after transferring in from the University of San Francisco. But what an impact he made. The local product from Jefferson High School led the team in scoring (14.5) and rebounding (7.3), made all-conference and was the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, despite having a series of injuries down the stretch. He'll be deeply missed.

Guard Derek Nesland (6-6, 180) played in more than 100 games for PSU in four years and was the team's second-leading scorer (13.8). Nesland was the team leader and a consistent force and will be tough to replace.

Hassan Artharee (6-6, 235) was the team's third-leading scorer (13.1) and third-leading rebounder (4.1) and was a rugged force underneath.