The Portland State Vikings and Air Force Falcons face off on Monday in a college basketball showdown at Clune Arena. 

Can Air Force Turn the Corner This Year?

It looks like Air Force isn’t that far off from turning the corner and the hope is this is the year they are going to get it done. One big issue for Air Force is they have lost a couple of key players. Jake Heidbreder got an offer from Clemson that he couldn’t pass up and left for the East Coast. The good news for the Falcons is that Ethan Taylor is back and last year he averaged 7.1 points per game. Air Force has a couple of key guys back, but this is also a team that should play plenty of bench players. Chase Beasley is one of the guys coming off the bench who could have a big role. 

Portland State is Filled with Upper Classmen 

Portland State has done a good job of keeping players around, and that has led to them having 11 juniors and seniors on the roster. With all the upper classmen that should really help them, especially early in the season. Last season Portland was eighth in college basketball in terms of pace and they are going to try and push the pace again here. Jorell Satterfield is back in the starting lineup this season last year he averaged 13.1 points per game and he’s going to need to be an X-factor again here. This is also a talented bench that should play a big role in this game. 

Shane’s Free Pick

If there is one thing that Portland State likes to do it’s to push the pace and they are going to try and do that here. Portland State is going to find success against the Air Force defense. With the fast pace though, I also expect Air Force is going to find plenty of success scoring, and that is going to be the difference as this game is going to end up higher scoring. Back the over to cash here.