The PAC-10 is bad this year. Stanford 10-9 (3-5 in the conference) is further evidence of that. The Cardinal have lost 4 straight games, but they are another of these teams that will demolish any opponent who doesn't come ready to play. Conversely, if the Beavers decide to exert energy, they should win the game. Notice I use the word "decide"…that's what it seems like they do, correct? When they fall behind by 17 (every game!), they decide to turn on a switch and play catch up. On the same note, when the game tips off, they decide "No big deal, there's a lot of time left" or "We can play catch up and pull it out in the end."
It's almost a gambler's mentality. Think about it. A gambler will start off even. Now say he or she loses the first bet. The next play would be betting double in order to win back the lost wager. Soon they are betting the boat to win back the car and the house to win back the boat. Now think about the Beavers. They start games even, fall behind early, then exert all kinds of energy and force bad shots in a desperation to break even. Much like a gambler, they're constantly playing from behind. And much like a gambler, it's pretty sad to watch.
How to avoid it? Well, the gambler simply would stop gambling. The Beavers, equally simple, should start playing basketball when the game tips off, and then stop playing basketball when the buzzer sounds. The inability to play a complete 40 minutes is on Craig Robinson. Do you think Ralph Miller, John Wooden, or Bobby Knight's players would have the nads to even ponder such a stunt? Craig Robinson has gone from East Coast aggressive (5AM practices, hard-nosed attitude) to West Coast lazy. He's been allowed to slack because that is the culture in Corvallis, and that starts at the top with Bob D.
The Beavers need to start winning some games and fast. Robinson's seat has a slow-burning oil lamp under it, and he's just beginning to feel the warmth through his well-insulated ass. Watch out Craig, the rainy season's almost over.
Back to the game, from what I have seen of Stanford (admittedly little) they run a methodical offense and prefer the halfcourt game over running. I think the Beavers would benefit from slowing down to Stanford's pace over forcing the notion they're a running team. Players to watch for Stanford include Dwight Powell, Jeremy Green, and Anthony Brown; all can drain a three against the zone. Inside they have Josh Owens and a 6'11 freshman by the name of Nastic who should see increased playing time versus the height-challenged Beavers. What I am saying is this: Stanford might play a slow tempo, but they have guards who can shoot well, and big men who can play down low. They're also smart (duh), and will know exactly how to exploit OSU.
My advice is to load up on the gin. Tonight will be another rough game. The Beavers simply don't match up well..again. The lack of a legitimate big man is killing this team. I suppose one could make an argument that the Beavers best chance would be to force their tempo upon the Cardinal, but they turn sloppy and make too many mistakes when they do that. As I've noted before, getting a turnover is just wasted energy if the team can't parlay it into points.
Anyway, Stanford by 15 is my pick. 69-54.
I'm going to enable the chat around 6:45 Pacific Time. It's the first chat session for a live event; it should be fun.
When: 7PM
TV: FSN
Radio: KPAM
To make things even more uncomfortable for CR, The Oregonian gave a lot of love to Altman this morning. Ducks finally got a hoops story on page one! Beavs got nothing, but the pre-game box on an inside page. Well-deserved on both sides considering how one team seems to be improving and the other regressing.
Angry, unfortunately I think you are correct. Hopefully the Beavs will prove us both wrong tonight, but I won’t hold my breath. Mckalk, I can’t read the UofOregonian anymore for that reason, you would think there is only one division one school in the state according to them! What a joke! But, at the same time what is happening with OSU athletics that is positive or worth reporting?
They could report the negative, and discuss what steps are being taken to improve. I’d definitely be interested in reading that.
Actually, my point was with basketball anyway, the left leaning Oregonian was giving OSU hoops a lot more attention than their performance deserved because of CR. Altman is a good coach and getting a little bit of love for their recent success.
The more Duck love the better–something needs to stoke the flame that will eventually blaze Bob D & Co.’s asses.
Also, I agree Altman is doing a decent job with poor talent. They will be good sooner than later.
He’s basically doing exactly what Craig did his first year with the Beavers.
Lathen Wallace and Kevin McShane are starting tonight…Wow
This is actually a great idea by CR. Wallace and McShane, while not great players, do play with passion. Since slow starts are a problem, these guys are a possible solution. I like it. Maybe throw a little Deane in there too.
It’s my understanding that Deane is ill, didn’t practice last week, and didn’t make the trip. Did anyone else hear that?
The live chat is now open:
http://angrybeavs.com/chat
Chat is not working for me
What is the problem?
The Internet Explorer browser has issues. You should use firefox anyway, it is a better browser.
So, that was more of the same ol’.
One thing I learned: in addition to many other things, the Beavers are also atrocious at boxing out.
I HAVE DECIDED TO NOT SUPPORT THE BDC REGIME ANY LONGER. Enough of the Same Ol’. Something has to change. BDC angling for a 5 or 10 year extension is a disaster waiting to confront Oregon State. I am out. He needs to be let go ASAP!! I will root for Riley for exactly one more year and will be adamantly against him if he does not get atleast 8 wins next year. You can’t just ALWAYS lose as an athletic department and think you deserve extensions or raises. Truth is BDC has gotten more time than most past ADs at OSU and has not accomplished the goal of making OSU athletics relevant.
Back in 2003 or something I felt kinda ggod one night that the Beavs were improving in basketball and mentioned as such to an athletic African American in Downtown Portland who I thought might have a small interest. He said to me “No one cares about OSU basketball.” We aren’t even relevant in Oregon let alone on the national stage. Bobby D. needs to move on and let Oregon State move on to find a more passionate AD who can lead with total determination and bring OSU basketball back into a truly respectable brand always in the top half of the conference. We cannot reward being in the cellar. BDC, you are a fraud!
let Oregon State move on to find a more passionate AD
Good point.
You called it within 3.. You could make money off calls like that. Do you think the baseball team does well this year, or will it bea trifecta of dissapointment?
I think they’ll be okay, but not a great team. Figure a winning percentage around .525.
The problem is they have inconsistent pitchers (Osich, Starr, Sam G) and a lack of power. Romero leaving early was big. Though, I hear Susac has improved a ton. I’m also excited to see what Nash can do. He was an incredible prospect before his mission. I love Boyd a lot as a starter, but Casey seems to prefer him as a DH/OF and relief pitcher. If he were in the rotation I’d feel better.
I need to research the team more before setting these opinions in stone, but that’s my feeling based on last year’s team, gut feeling, and what I’ve read so far. I need to research the newcomers some more.
Angry, you need to get your behind to Nevada and start making some money! I thought it would be a close game (but Beaver loss) instead they fell apart again.
I do not know what to make of this one? How in the hell are you supposed to coach D-1 players on making lay-ups? Effort was there at times in the 1-3-1 against a mediocore team, that is about all for this one. Another sad outing.
Yeah, I felt pretty confident in this score so I wrote it down. Usually I don’t since the team is so schizo.
The effort was fine tonight. The execution was horrible. Joe Burton is the Keith Pankey of college basketball. He is HORRIBLE.
Maybe some good news on the football recruiting front. Looks like we nabbed Akeem Gonzales!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/varsitytimesinsider/2011/01/football-top-alemany-lineman-gonzales-makes-decision.html
Yeah, he is committed to OSU. Many people feel that Foster has committed as well, though that is speculation based on him listing OSU on his personal profile. That can only be a good sign, though.
We’ll take him. I hope he is hungrier than the basketball Beavs. A Pac-12 North title is something we should be able to do in the next 5 years. We need to stay close enough where we can smell these things. But BDC is just getting too stale and doesn’t have the fire in his belly to get us higher. That is why we need to move forward without him.
Foster would be good. What are the chances of landing Peat and Dockery? I keep hearing that Peat is a lock for ASU. Agree with you OS on BDC!
Angry,
Does it matter if the fans are YELLING for change. Will Ed Ray ever say enough is enough and hjust can BDC like he should. OSU is turning into a joke again and keeping all the same guys in our highest positiions is not the answer. IT IS TIME FOR BDC to leave town!!! He has us in the bottom few teams in the conference consistently. We can get those results from anyone. It is time us fans demand some consequences and BDC should NOT be extended a single day. It is time for Oregon State to have bold leadership and a new man with the reins in his hands. I don’t know if it matters though if 90% of Beaver Nation agreed with me. BDC, Riley and Co. all just think they can live forever in Worse than Mediocre-ville. It’s disgusting and we all should be fed up with it!! NO MORE OF THE SAME OL’
Does it matter if the fans are YELLING for change.
Yeah. It does.
And it matters that Oregon is better than us at everything.
Alums want to have pride in their Alma Mater; it defines who we are.
I’d suggest writing him letters. He needs to be made aware there’s a clearly growing faction of discontent. He probably reads the Oregonian and thinks everything is fine. The journalists there are a disgrace to our university.
It’s my humble opinion that this new “live chat” SUCKS. When I’m unable to partake of a game one of the things I look forward to reading the comments you-all make during the game. I learn a lot from what evreyone has to say. But now, with this frigging live chat, I open the live chat window and there’s nothing there.
Arggggg
Oh, if only we could EDIT our posts. And while you’re about it, a spell checker would be nice too.
I disabled the chat after the game so we could discuss and put it in print here. That’s why it’s blank now. The chats aren’t saved.
It needs to be refined. I agree. I’m not sure what is ideal. Is it better to have boatloads of posts in the comment area, or have comments in a live chat during live events? The former is hard to navigate; the latter leaves no record of the event.
I don’t like the idea of keeping the chat live at all times because of the problems you mentioned. A lot of comments and observations are lost.
More feedback would be appreciated.
I think it was better before. (Doesn’t take long to scroll to areas of conversations you are interested in even during games) Agree with the guy though that if you could edit your own posts or have a spell check it would be nice. Just edit ability would be easier and suffice.
Okay, I’ll take feedback and suggestions into consideration. I like the old style better, too, because I like having things in print, saved.
I’ll work on the edit function. It’s been too long…we really need one. Or if you guys could take spelling classes… ;)
Look for an edit post function and spell check by early next week.
Something else that has been bugging me about OSU players….does anyone else notice that most of the guys have quirky shooting styles? It would be nice to have a couple of guys that could just take normal 15 jump shoots, with a proper release and nice touch. Every other damned team we play has someone who shoots the ball correctly.
I am kind of apathetic about a live chat. I tried to get on at halftime, but I guess IE would not allow it. Sadly, I am the kind of guy who prefers to go into my dark man cave and watch the game alone and wallow in my misery (it is better for my family). An edit feature would be nice, I can be a typo machine sometimes!
I’m working on an edit function now. I decided to keep the site open while I do it (bad practice, but whatever). You might notice some weird things…
angry i’m not seeing an edit function.
Still working on it, BG.
Cannot get my cursor to move around within the post to edit spelling. Cursor is at the beginning wanting me to delete the whole post.
Angry, on a side note, Paul Buker just tweeted that OSU landed OT Akeem Gonzales!
I guess I should push my interest in the Portland Pilots a little more (hometown team). They knocked off St.Marys today and are clearly the best program in the state. Eric Reveno (ex-Stanford big man) is an up and coming head coach. Probably smart that the Beavers seem to have quit scheduling them lately.
Would a coach like that even consider the Beaver’s job?
I like Eric Reveno the Beavers should consider him if Robinson indeed does not get it done. I like Randy Bennett a little more though. He’s done a great job at St Mary’s, got them to the sweet 16 last season after losing Patty Mills the season before. He was the right coach 3 years ago. His teams aren’t always the most talented(probably cause it is St Mary’s, hard to recruit) but they’re as fundamentally sound as it gets.
So if Craig ends up fired say next season and Randy Bennett is still at St Mary’s, Beavers would need to get him. I’m pretty sure he would accept the job the second it is offered.
Am I remembering correctly that BDC put out feelers for Bennett and he said no before he went on to CR? Maybe things change in a couple of years if CR cannot get it done?
St.Marys is starting to get some national publicity though, so Bennett might become a Mark Few and try to build an empire where he is. I see Portland always playing in the shadows of Gonzaga/St.Marys, so Reveno might be more realistic as a possibility and has the P-10 background. Portland is usually very sound fundamentally.
That’s how I remember it. Bennett said he had no interest.
Just looking at the rest of the basketball schedule. I only see one game left where maybe the Beavers will be favored at home (Stanford?). 1-8 in the second half equals a 20 loss season. Would that mean anything , would we see any pressure coming from BDC or would is just be more of the same comments about the players being young and they need time to develope? 20 losses is a pretty negative benchmark no matter what the situation.
“the players being young and needing time to develop”” would be fine, but they are becoming worse. Wins and losses are the ultimate gauge (duh) but seeing improvement gives rise to hope, and I can’t find any. I still don’t get the constant substitution, missed layups (7 or 8 against Stanford), Jared Cunningham not scoring or getting steals. The amount of work and money into turning OSU athletics around seems insurmountable. Perhaps it should just go down a conference.