On Thanksgiving Day Duke takes on the Portland State Vikings in their first Oregon game of the PK-80 Tournament.
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Duke defeated the Furman Paladins in game 1 in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Portland State has started its season with four wins in as many games. The Pilots are averaging 92 points per game (28th in the NCAA). They are coached by Barret Peery. Peery was named Portland State's new men's basketball coach on April 10, 2017.
Once again Duke will be playing a team of primarily seniors as Portland State starts 3 upperclassmen along with 2 juniors. Senior Bryce Canda leads the Vikings in scoring and rebounding at 17.5 points and 8 rebounds per game, followed closely by Deontae North with 16 points a game. Holland Woods is the leading assist man so far for Portland State, coming off the bench for 4 assists per game. The Vikings have 2 excellent 3 point shooters on the team in Deante Strickland and Michael Mayhew. Strickland is shooting the 2 at 56% and Mayhew at 47%. As a team the Vikings are shooting the 3 at a 41% clip, while Duke is at 37%. They boast 5 players averaging double figures in scoring with 2 others averaging 9. They also have 9 players averaging double digit minutes.
About the PK-80:
Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm will be a two-tournament men’s college basketball event held in Portland, Oregon honoring Nike Co-Founder Phil Knight for his 80th Birthday and in recognition of his significant contributions to collegiate basketball. Sixteen college teams will participate in what will be the best collection of college basketball teams in one event, at a single site, in the history of the sport.
Duke plays in the PK-80 Motion bracket. The PK-80 Motion bracket includes three ranked squads. Along with No. 1 Duke, Florida ranks seventh in the AP Poll and the Gonzaga Bulldogs check in at No. 17. Texas and Butler, Duke’s potential second round opponents, are both receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
