Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Portland State
Game notes: Wildcats return to Dee Events Center Thursday
1/17/2023 4:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Weber State hosts Portland State Thursday at 7 p.m.
• Weber State returns home for two games this weekend beginning Thursday night against Portland State. The Wildcats and Vikings will tipoff at 7 p.m.on Thursday at the Dee Events Center. The game will be televised on ESPN+ with Tony Parks and former WSU head coach Joe Cravens on the call. WSU radio coverage with Steve Klauke and former WSU standout and Big Sky MVP David Patten will be on 103.1 FM "The Wave". Live stats at WeberStateSports.com.
• Weber State is 8-10 overall and 3-2 in Big Sky play. The Wildcats are coming off a thrilling 59-57 win at Montana last Thursday and a 67-52 loss at Montana State on Saturday.
• Portland State is also 8-10 overall and is 2-3 in Big Sky play. The Vikings lead the Big Sky in scoring offense, steals and turnover margin. They are 14th in the country in turnovers forced at 17.4 per game. PSU is coached by Jace Coburn who is in his second season as head coach.
• Steven Verplancken led the Wildcats in Saturday's game with 16 points and knocked down two 3-pointers. Verplancken is the only Wildcat to start all 18 games this season and is second on the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game and is shooting 41.7 percent from 3-point range.
• WSU's Dillon Jones leads the nation in defensive rebounds 9.8 per game and is eighth in the country in overall rebounds at 10.6 per game. Jones has had eight double-doubles this season, tied for the ninth-most in the nation. He leads the Wildcats in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and free throw percentage. He is averaging 14.8 points per game and has scored in double figures in 11 of the last 12 games. He is first in the Big Sky in free throw percentage at 86.6 percent.
• Weber State is 6-1 this season when leading at halftime and just 1-9 when trailing. The Wildcats are also 7-0 when scoring 70 or more points in a game and 1-10 when scoring less than 70. The 'Cats are 6-1 when leading in field goal percentage, 2-9 when trailing, and are 7-1 when leading in rebounding and 1-9 when trailing in rebounding. WSU ranks fourth in the nation in free throw percentage at 80.5 percent.
• Weber State holds a 43-18 series lead over Portland State but the Vikings have won four of the last six games in the series. All-time in Ogden, Weber State is 24-4 against the Vikings.
