Viking_Yearbook_69

78 Four-year letterman Don Suloff, who played a forward position this year, commented on th e 1969 season. "We had a losing season and that's what hurts the most. Eve ryone wants to be on a winning team , but no one wants it mo re than the guy playing his last sea– son. What really hurts is that poten– tially we had the best assemblage of ball players Portland State has ever had. But somehow we were unable to mold these individual talents into a well-functioning unit. "At times I thought we were on our way. We would win a game and look good. But then we would lose some more and play sloppily. Most of our bad plays were due to inconsis tency. Very seldom were all of the players pla ying well on a given night, and when we were it was only for a short time. Then we would get sloppy again. And when we lost our chance to go to the r egionals- what else was there to play for? The school? "Portland State students ar e like tho se of many othe r colleges; they mi ght support a winner, but very sel– dom a loser. As our losses mounted the attendance dropp ed, and crowds are important to a ball player. After a game people would often ask, 'Did you hea r me yelling?' and I would have to admit that I hadn't. During the excite– ment of the game the individual voices all blend into one continuous roar. But to the players , that roar is necessary. It keeps our adrenaline pumping, gives us something to play for. I would rath– er have two thousand people yelling aga inst me than two hundred yelling for me. At least I know what I'm doing is important to th em, even if they want me to lose." 1968-1969 Varsity Basketball Scores PSU 99 .... .. Grea t Falls College 91 British Columbia 11 7 .. . . . .. PSU 102 Idaho 68 .. . .... . .. ... ... . . PSU 55 San Diego 75 . . .. .. . . .. . ... PSU 67 Boise State 85 .. .. . . ..... . . PSU 82 PSU 105 .. . . . .. Eastern Montana 84 PSU 130 . .. .. . . British Columbia 92 PSU 112 . . . . ... .Humboldt State 86 PSU 103 . . . . .... . .. . . . Gonzaga 78 Sacramento State 98 . ..... . PSU 83 Nevada Southern 115 . . . .... PSU 82 Western Washington 64 .. . . PSU 58 PSU 93 . .. . . . . . . ... . . ... Alaska 67 PSU 106 .... . ... ... .. . .. Al aska 81 Boise State 92 . . . . . . .. . . .. . PSU 75 Idaho State 89 . ... ... . . .. . . PSU 84 Montana State 93 . .. ... . .. . PSU 70 Eastern Montana 100 .... . . . PSU 88 Puget Sound 99 .. . ... .. ... . PSU 82 PSU 76 . ..... . . .. Seattle Pacific 75 Central Washington 76 .. . . . PSU 74 PSU 84 . .... . . . . .. . . . .Montana 83 Seattle Pacific 91 . .. ... . .. . PSU 62 Puget Sound 112 . . . .. . . . . .. PSU 86 Western Washington 78 .... PSU 52 Central Washington 92 ..... PSU 79 Suloff said that after losing a ga.me "you hate to face the people, but you have to smile and answer th em. Th et'e are no excus es; no one beats you but yourself. This was the fir s t time I h ad eve r played on a los i ng b a ske tb all team. I wish it hadn't happened in my la s t yea r. Coach always told us, 'Th e game and the season you ulwa s re– member best is the las t one.' I hope he 's wrong."