PSU will play for huge upset against Kansas

PSU will play for huge upset against Kansas

Portland State players react Sunday after learning of their matchup in the NCAA tournament.

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Story Published: Mar 16, 2008 at 3:42 PM PDT

Story Updated: Mar 17, 2008 at 6:34 AM PDT

By Associated Press

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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Portland State will have a tough road to the Final Four.

The Vikings drew top-seeded Kansas in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.

The Big Sky Conference champions were seeded 16th in the Midwest Region and will meet the fifth-ranked Jayhawks on Thursday in Omaha, Neb. A No. 1 seed has never lost to a 16th seed.

Led by coach Ken Bone, the Vikings (23-9) earned the school's first-ever berth to the tournament with a 67-51 victory over Northern Arizona in the championship game of the conference tournament.

Meanwhile, Oregon received a No. 9 seed in the South Region and will face Mississippi St. on Friday in Little Rock, Ark.

Portland State, also the Big Sky regular-season champion, made its first appearance the conference title game in the 12 seasons they've been in the league.

Kansas (31-3) won the Big 12 title by defeating No. 6 Texas 84-74.

The Jayhawks, who have won three straight conference titles for the second time in school history, are making their 19th straight appearance in the NCAA tournament. They are led by Darrell Arthur, averaging 13.1 points and 6.2 rebounds a game, and Brandon Rush, averaging 12.9 points and five rebounds.

Jeremiah Dominguez, the Big Sky's player of the year, is averaging 14.3 points a game for the Vikings. Deonte Huff averages 13.9 points and 6.1 rebounds.

Huff was named the Big Sky tournament's MVP after scoring 37 points on 14-of-19 shooting in two games.

"I'm just real happy and proud of the kids on the team," Bone said after his team was assured a place in the NCAA tournament. "I know how much goes into having a championship program. It's not just the kids in the program, (it's the) administration, assistant coaches, strength coach. Everybody's played a big part in helping Portland State basketball get to this point."

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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