Portland State Vikings Face Off Against Washington State Cougars in Season Opener

The 2024 college basketball season kicked off on Monday, November 4, with the Portland State Vikings traveling to face the Washington State Cougars at the Wallis Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum in Pullman, Washington. The game, broadcast on ESPN+, marked the season opener for both teams.

Washington State, under new head coach David Riley, is favored heavily in this matchup. The Cougars are listed as 14.5-point favorites, with odds of -1000 to win the game. Portland State, meanwhile, is a significant underdog with odds of +650. The over/under for the game is set at 147.5 or 148.5 points, depending on the source.

The Vikings, led by head coach Jase Coburn in his fourth season, are looking to build on their 17-15 record from last season. However, they face significant challenges, having lost three of their top four scorers from the previous year, including KJ Allen, Bobby Harvey, and Jorell Saterfield. This season, they will rely on players like Isaiah Johnson and Ismail Habib.

Washington State, on the other hand, is coming off a strong 23-8 season and is transitioning to the West Coast Conference after the dissolution of the Pac-12. Coach David Riley brings several key transfers from Eastern Washington, including Cedric Coward, ND Okafor, and Nate Calmese, which is expected to bolster their lineup.

Historically, Washington State has dominated the series, winning all games against Portland State over the last nine years. The most recent matchup saw Washington State win 71-61 in December 2023.

The game is available to stream on ESPN+ and can also be followed through the CBS Sports App. Tickets for the event were priced at $3.00.