Home Basketball Basketball: TCU @ Oregon State

Basketball: TCU @ Oregon State

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CBI resumes tonight. Game time is 7pm.

Not much to say about this game since I didn't read up much on it. I do know TCU has good shooters, so I'd urge CR to ditch the 1-3-1 zone tonight. If they win, it looks as if they'll get the victor of the Washington State/Wyoming game. I'd like to see them face Pitt or Butler from the other bracket in the finals. It's interesting that this tournament uses a "best of three" for the finals. That's actually a pretty cool format.

129 COMMENTS

  1. I was reading where TCU has had some defensive problems this year and let the opposition shoot 47% (that’s even worse than the Beavs). I noticed that neither of their starting guards are of 6 feet tall. Cunningham should be able to do some things against that. I’m a little leary though of TCU as they beat good San Diego St and UNLV teams and can score points in bunches. It might be an exciting, high scoring game, but then again when high scoring teams play it always seems to end up exactly the opposite. It would be cool to see the Beavs against Butler in the finals, though if you look at Butler’s results this year, it’s definitely not the same team.

  2. well in the gambling world…OSU is 9.5 and ov/un at 160

    The gist on today wagering forums is that the game will go over, and more folks are seeing a OSU win but a TCU cover.

    TCU coach did not travel – family member medical emergency which was not life-threatening, states it hasn’t nothing to do with Rhode Island wanting to hire the coach.

    Tongihts guessestimate: OSU 79-TCU 72

    • That and the Beavs struggle a lot against Wazzu for some reason. Some no name wing always ends up dropping threes and Motum is a load for them to handle.
      I’d just as soon not see any P-12 match ups. Imagine if they have to play them in the finals? Might be a quirky record though, I doubt teams have played against each other six times in one season in the last 80 years!

  3. Walking out the door to go to the game.
    Hope there is a decent crowd with some enthusiasm
    Last game was disappointing in the size of the crowd, but this is a much better team and will probably show up with more than 9 players.

  4. Leaving momentarily. I hope there isn’t too much game traffic, I’m cutting it thin.

    I bought the $15 cheap seats in section 3. If the crowd is light, at halftime, I will try a “tennis shoe” upgrade for the nice seats behind the Beaver bench. There were plenty open last week. If challenged, all you need is an AARP card or the label off a Depends box. JB

    PS: I am dominating my office CBI Bracket pool… how are the rest of you doing? In honesty I should mention that I’m only dominating the other entrant.

  5. if they can win this game i feel like they’re going to be in a great place going into next year. if i lived in corvallis i’d go, but i don’t and i have final exams this week. hopefully there’s a stream up somewhere (i haven’t checked yet) if not though i can deal with it because when gill is 9/10ths empty it should calm parker down a little bit.

  6. They are supposed to rebraket for the Final Four of the CBI but it seems that they would be more likely to have us potentially face Wazzu in the semi. So as long as both OSU and Wazzu advance I expect the brackets to stay how they are and we would get Wazzu in the semi and then perhaps Pitt/Butler for the final.

  7. OT: stuff from the football banquet, did anybody even know about the banquet? Interesting that Storm Woods won Scout MVP along with Naji Patrick. Can Storm Woods have an impact somewhere next year? I kept thinking last year when we were looking for a RB after Agnew went on the DL why he wasn’t given a look. Will he be playing RB next season, or is it Chris Brown’s job to lose? He certainly looked good coming out of St Louis HS.

    http://www.osubeavers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/031912aaa.html

    • @kerryeggers Beavers will move ex-Jefferson High quarterback Noa Aluesi (6-6, 280) to defensive tackle in spring ball.

      @kerryeggers OSU redshirt freshman OT Darryl Jackson (6-6, 325) likely to medically retire after hip surgery through doctor’s recommendation.

      Some players I was wondering about, the highly touted Jackson looks to be gone, maybe he was one of the schollies they thought would free up?

      • wonder how cut Aluesi is? I would guess he is pretty soft… didn’t he go on a mission? Not likely that you would gain the good kind of strength on a mission. The kid was athletic as hell when I saw him in HS…. if he can add the good weight and keep his athleticism he could be an interesting prospect.

        Bummer about Jackson… wonder if this means Enger will move back to OT?

          • meh… if it is just Jackson I can live with it. I mean I was pumped for the guy myself but all we really knew was that he was big. I don’t recall ever seeing film. Now if Gavin Andrews retires… then I might break something.

          • Prototypical size and a very good athlete from all reports. Given our struggles on the O-line the
            last couple years, this is a huge loss.

        • Aluesi is pretty ripped. He was originally planning on serving an LDS mission, but right now he’s 50-50. My guess is he sticks with football.

  8. Beavers look so good right now. The ball movement is good and the execution is the best I’ve seen all season. I don’t think I’ve seen the Beavers take one bad shot yet. TCU has hit some tough shots, if not the Beavers would be up 30 by now. Everyone is playing well. Nice to see. Real fun half. I expect OSU to win this by 25+. Must say I’m really excited for next season.

  9. It seems like the production values and announcers have gone downhill since the year the Beavers won this tourney. Cravens is kind of a dork, I actually miss Craig Ehlo. I guess part of the excitement was that UTEP actually sold out their home games back then.

  10. Don’t discount the fact that the Beavers have held TCU to 30.8% shooting so far as well. Beavers themselves? 68.8%.

  11. I wouldn’t mind the Beavers playing Wazzu for a 4th time. I would rather they play Wyoming just cause I like for the Beavers to play different teams but the Beavers will handle the Cougars. Game would be at Gill and this is a much better team than even the one who beat Wazzu in the Pac-12 Tournament. I think it will be OSU-Butler/Pitt for the CBI title. To be honest, I would like OSU to face Butler. Just cause games at Hinkle are pretty cool and allows OSU to play against a really good defensive team and helps them get even better for next season. I think OSU is the best team in the field right now and should win the title.

        • Our record against Wazzu the past couple of years has not been good. We struggled to win the last game and lost the two in the regular season.

          • This Beavers team is much different and playing much differently then they did in the 2 losses to Wazzu and they struggled to win last game on a neutral court. Playing at home is much different. And the last few years are not really relevant. A lot of teams had the Beavers number when Calvin Haynes, Lathen Wallace and Omari Johnson were playing a lot of minutes.

  12. The offense has been great from start to finish. Definitely their best offensive performance of the season. Been a really fun game to watch.

  13. Watching this game gives me a huge case of the “what could have been.”
    This is the team I thought would would be in contention for the league title.
    They have played a great game and Jared is really a special talent.

    • Did we play well because the competition was weak or because we are playing at a higher level right now? I know that TCU played well against some tournament teams but I am hesitant to believe that mid-major teams/conferences are really that strong.

      • The Beavers played well because the Beavers are playing at a high level. The ball movement and execution on offense is better than it has been the entire season. Guys aren’t forcing bad shots up and they’re being selfless on the floor. A month ago this game would have been a much closer game. They’re playing with a lot of confidence.

      • I think they are playing better. When they get a fast start they are tough to beat. Guess we will find out
        against the Cougs. Cunningham is a joy to watch.

  14. That TCU defense was plain awful. However, the Beavs did take advantage with their athleticism out there. It’s fun to watch a game where the stress level is low.

  15. It’s Wazzu, they destroyed Wyoming in the second half. I’d really like the Beavers to blow these guys out one time this year. They just seem so much more talented, but Wazzu plays well against the Beavs almost every damn time.

    • They could have blown them out in the last meeting but took their foot off the gas and let Wazzu back in it. I think they can get out to another lead and with it being at home that can help them extend the lead. Playing at home is always a good thing. Brock Motum annoys me, I hope the Beavers spank Wazzu by 20+ on Wednesday.

      • yeah, they’ve since updated the website to read

        “Tickets to the CBI semifinal game vs. Washington State are available today to Men’s Basketball season ticket holders and BASF members by phone at 1-800-GO-BEAVS. Tickets will go on sale here to all fans starting Wednesday at 9:00am .”

        The lack of attention to detail is so annoying. Just update the website first, THEN send out the multiple e-mails saying tickets are on sale. Not the other way around. Is that too much to ask?

          • It was great, 85 degrees with no clouds every day. Lots of ocean swimming, beach sitting and tequila drinking for a week. Then I come back home and it’s still snowing here. The only negative for the whole week, it was spring break for USC, WSU, UA and Notre Dame. Needless to say, there were a ton of douche bags running around cheering for beer…Whoooaaoo!!!!!!!!

            I sat at the airport with a group of USC frat guys who totally reminded me of the rich kids in Karate Kid. One of them even had Johnny’s haircut

          • @Beavergopher

            Jackson is mentioned at the end of this article: http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=133223485747201300

            The headline for the story is:
            Beavers won’t have Spring Game this year – Lack of O-line depth shifts focus to individual work

            According to the story OSU will have 8 healthy OL players in the spring, and 2 that are injured for a grand total of 10. 3 of the 8 healthy players are walk-ons.

            Anyone know what the normal OL count is for a Pac-12 team? To me it seems like 10 aren’t very many.

          • Thanks for the link.
            No spring game huh? Wow.
            How can we not be prepared for this and not have enough OL recruits? I know we beat the topic to death during this recruiting season but I’m still astonished.
            When running my business, the EASIEST things to manage are the “knowns”, it’s the surprise last-minute unknowns that can/will determine success. I’ve always thought coaching and running a business are very similar so why the hell can’t coaches recruit and fill the needed positions?
            I know there are variables; students change their minds, they get in trouble, they die, in general life happens. But these are all known factors that should be calculated into the formula.
            “Ok gang, no-matter-freaking-what, we MUST have X-OL, Y-DL, Z-Safeties, etc.” If you miss those numbers, your effed!
            I’m probably severely oversimplifying it but Riley also gets paid just a *tad* more than I so he should be up to the task.

          • Silly me, based on remarks I’d read I expected the OL to be improved and deep this year. Improved perhaps but deep….. eh.

            I’ve just noticed that one of the 8 “healthy” OLs is RS FR Jackson who later in the article is identified as being the one who will likely take a medical retirement at doctor’s recommendation. THAT LEAVES 7 + 2 = 9.

            From the OSU website: RSFR 4 (counting Jackson), SO 2, JR 2, RSJR 1, SR 1

            One of the juniors (Enger) and the lone senior Kelly are the two that are listed as injured.

            So that leaves OSU, as of spring practice, with an OL that consists of 3 RSFR, 2 SO, 1 JR and 1 RSJR, repeating myself 3 of which are walk-ons.

            Oh yeah I can see this crew DOMINATING the Pac-12 D’s and staying injury free all season. Not!

          • Mud, Cliff seems to have a different count than you.

            Cliff doesn’t list Jackson among the healthy OL’s, the eight he counts are, “They are: LT Justin Addie, LG Josh Andrews, C Roman Sapolu, C Jake Welch, RG Michael Beaton, RG David Vieru, RT Michael Philipp, RT Derek Nielsen.”

            He shows Enger and Kelly as injured as spring begins and thus has spring starting with an OL consisting of: 3 RSFR, 3 SOPH, 1 RSJR, and 1 JR.

            So, Cliff lists 8+2=10, yeah, a really formidable group ! And yet still an improvement over last year.

          • The Tribune listed 10 so when I got the names from the OSU roster and counted 10 I didn’t bother to compare the names.

            The name I missed was Sapolu. I sorted by position and all of them except Sapolu, are shown as OG, OL and OT, including Welch. So, dumb me I didn’t even bother to see if they had any listed anyway other than Ox.

            The OSU roster currently shows 11 players as being on the OL but that includes Mr. Jackson. Perhaps the coaches are living in denial and are hoping beyond hope that someway, somehow Mr. Jackson can still yet play.

          • Another nugget from the Trib article: “Cornerbacks Sean Martin (DUI) and Malcolm Marable (speeding) are in the process of performing community service and will be available this spring. Each will serve a one-game suspension against Nicholls State. ”
            Note that the suspensions clearly are stated as to involve the N.State game; is Riley learning from the Masaniai fiasco?

          • Everyone should follow muds link and read Kerry’s story, I think it is worth a thread of its own.

            The sub-head is “Lack of O-line depth shifts focus to individual work” and Riley is quoted as saying, “I’m real excited about the individual progression we can make…”

            For me the question is will this lead to markedly better fundamentals, or will the lack of contact implied here mean another pitiful September by the Beavs? We’ve often discussed here the lack of tackling in camp. Since this is spring ball and not fall camp will this decision really make much difference?

            Is this an indication that Riley is beginning to think outside the box?

          • Perhaps the o-line could trade their skills for the D’s. That would mean no tackling from the o-line and better tackling from the defense.

            I know it might start confusing Pac 12 refs. But what’s the worst-case scenario? They start calling our defenders for holding and false starts?

  16. OK boys your’e on your own now. I’ve held up my end of the bargain and been to two, count them two, CBI games. Can’t be there tomorrow…who would have held March 21st open for basketball?

    A couple of notes: I get the reasons to play post-season, but this thing is really low-end. First of all Western Illinois can only manage to scrounge up eight players. One less and we would have had to loan them a player for the night like city league softball. Then the TCU head coach can’t make it??? So if WSU forgets to pack their Nikes do they play barefooted?

    Classic OSU marketing. Remember when BDC tried to get rid of an oversupply of stale popcorn at last years final home football game? He called it “fan appreciation day”.. whoopy doo!! Step right up… half price popcorn! No pushing!! No shoving!!

    How about throwing a little bone to the fans…. say at least a 2:1 or $5.00 upper level seat! They act its the Super Bowl!! JB

    • Way to ruin it! Now I bet they remember their shoes. They would have been forced to wear some of those emasculating Burton specials from back in the store room.

      BTW, throwing a little bone at a bunch of Beavers is a fast ticket to the state pen. Don’t you mean Sun Bowl?

    • This is so funny! BDC is retro-bad. You are going to get stale popcorn, overpriced tickets, no marketing skills, all presented with that goofy smile, until he is gone! If any, how soon will we know if the new AD marketing director is making a good difference?

        • Moved down behind the visitors bench. The usher, for the section, knew what we were doing and told us he was mainly keeping high school and college kids out. Maybe it made the tv coverage look a little better. JB

          • Good to hear. The ushers have gotten so bad that a friend of mine won’t go to games anymore. When I went to the Colorado game the student section maybe had 20 kids sitting there and since it was on TV our $15 section usher asked if we wanted to fill a seat (felt like Kramer) down there but when we got there the usher for the student section hadn’t got the word yet and refused us even though nobody was there. Went around to the other side and found a seat and sat down.

  17. Oregon State has a big moment for the program on Wednesday night against Wazzu. Fans expect to win and the program needs the momentum of being on the verge of a 2nd CBI Title to help propel OSU Basketball into a force next year. Matching up against Butler or Pitt is going to be fun so OSU needs to get it done.

    CBI Semis: Oregon St. vs Wazzu:
    http://beaverbyte.com

  18. Here’s a little bit of the copy from Cliff GT from his story on Spring Ball, new to me was the Tony Wilson injuries.

    Players out with injury: OG Grant Enger (shoulder), S Anthony Watkins (shoulder), CB Brian Watkins (shoulder). Enger and A. Watkins are starters.

    Doubtful: DT Castro Masaniai (leg), another starter. He’s still hurt from previous injuries.

    Limited work: DE Blake Harrah (knee), CB Larry Scott (knee)

    Start slow but should be there at the end: OT Colin Kelly (ankle), WR Jordan Bishop (ankle), RB Jovan Stevenson (foot). Kelly and Bishop were starters, and Stevenson a significant contributor.

    CBs Mishawn Cummings (undisclosed), Malcolm Marable (speeding) and Sean Martin (DUII) are still suspended but are working to have their suspensions lifted by spring practice.

    OT Darryl Jackson (hip) and LB Tony Wilson (multiple stingers) are applying for medical hardships. That means they are not medically cleared to play but will be able to finish school on scholarship.

    Position changes: Noa Aluesi moved from TE to DT; Obum Gwacham from SE to slot; Zeke Sanders from S to OLB. Aluesi is not going on his Mormon mission now.

    There are only eight healthy OL, so their work will be limited. They are: LT Justin Addie, LG Josh Andrews, C Roman Sapolu, C Jake Welch, RG Michael Beaton, RG David Vieru, RT Michael Philipp, RT Derek Nielsen.

  19. More Football:
    @BrandonSprague Riley says Seumalo’s position could be guard, tackle, or center. Says spring could be where they find out for sure.

    Since he won’t be there in the Spring, how are they going to find that out, is my question?

    Here’s a link to Buker’s recount of the teleconference with Riley, says Mishawn Cummings could come back and that Zeke Sanders moving to OLB

    http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2012/03/oregon_state_football_rileys_p.html

    • It sounds like Riley will base his decision on how poorly the other 7 (or is it eight) OL guys are playing. The slot with the most need is where he’ll play. Holy crap!

  20. One other thing re moving Aluesi to DT.

    “…@kerryeggers Beavers will move ex-Jefferson High quarterback Noa Aluesi (6-6, 280) to defensive tackle in spring ball….”

    Aren’t the better DTs short(ish) because the shorter guys can get better leverage? 6-6, 280 sounds more like a DE bwdik.

      • Yeah that’s interesting, do you know if any of those guys played anything other than the line? I find it hard to believe that a kid who played quarterback will get moved to DT? That seems a little of a reach. Maybe his quickness (I think they ran the spread at Jefferson) and his size will help him in that position. It continues to beg the question why do they not recruit a position player for the position? They are constantly taking on projects and converting them into DL. Even if you take a kid who has played DT but is undersized it would seem to have an easier time developing? Like the kid from Eagle Point that ended up at Portland St? Maybe that was grades but we taken fliers on others with suspect grades? My buddies and I don’t get it?

        • Going into fall practice last year, I pointed out that the Beavers did not have enough linemen on the roster to make it thru the season. They have not balanced the classes by including several linemen in each recruiting class and by recruiting jc guys to balance out depth chart levels. On a Div 1 roster there are 100 plus guys. Some are active, some are red shirt, some are hurt and some are practice players. There needs to be approximately 20 offensive linemen on the roster at all times in order to have a sustainable system. Not only has OS wiffed on recruits, they have also blown it missing out on several potential walkons, like the kid who at the last minute in August took a basketball offer from Western O rather than walk on at OS. That kid had size and strength and speed to be potentially a very good ot in the mold of Joe Staley. Rather than sit back and say woe is me, the new Colorado State coach has gone on campus to recruit able body guys for offensive line so that he could have a spring scrimmage. First round draft choice Danny Watkins was found walking around campus and had no previous football experience. Did they just wake up and realize they have a problem now? Could not this have been predicted the day after the last game in the fall?

          • PS-Jackson(and I respect all young men that try) was unable to enroll at SMU. He returned to California and enrolled at a jc but did not play football. Warning , warning, warning. Something was wrong, even back then. The kid who went to Western Oregon was quoted as saying he wanted to study Forestry. So they couldn’t or wouldn’t set up interviews with advisers and explore future internships at one of the best Forestry schools in the nation in order to keep him?

          • Why the heck did Garner leave the team? I remember reading somewhere he left because of playing time, is that right? If it is how on earth could he be told that he wouldn’t get PT with this lineup???

  21. Cunningham said he will make a decision “around April 11″

    Critical to Oregon State’s hopes next season is the return of Cunningham, who has talked about coming out to the NBA after this season.

    “I want to come back and help this program,” he told me after Monday’s game. “But if other things come up, I have to take advantage of those.”

    Cunningham said he will make a decision “around April 11. I’ll talk to my parents when they come here, and talk to the coaches.”

    Current mock NBA drafts don’t mention Cunningham as going in either the first or second round of the draft. While that can change a little, it seems highly unlikely he’ll be a first-rounder, which would make leaving early a rather foolish decision.

    “My advice would be the right advice,” Robinson said. “If you’re a first-round pick and have a guarantee, I’d be behind him 100 percent. If he’s not, then it becomes the family’s decision.

    “Some people have to take the risk. I don’t think Jared does, because each year he’s gotten better. But I’m not ready to say he’s not ready to go yet, either.”

    Oregon State’s $12 million practice facility project is soon to become a reality. The fund-raising efforts have already yielded close to $9 million.

    “Once we get to $10 million, we’ll break ground,” Robinson said. “It’s…

    Rest of story:
    http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/print_story.php?story_id=133223090611399200

    • I want Cunningham back and I think he needs to comeback, he is far from a polished product. He needs to work on his dribbling, shooting, and most of all his leadership. I can’t see him getting drafted unless he performed really well at the pre-draft camps. I do think he will test well athletically though. Having said that I don’t think the program will take a big a blow if he leaves, and in fact it could be good for the others in the program. I think sometimes this team defers too much to JC. Without him they could find their own identity and that very well could lead to more cohesive unit.

      We need alot of these guys to step up their games. Nelson, Collier, Moreland, and Starks have all shown they have potential. Its just a matter of improving their games to become more consistent on a nightly basis. I am hopeful that CR can provide that.

  22. I hope JC stays, as I think he can stand to polish his game and be more than a late round pick…

    I think it looks good for next year, as the end of the season showed that maybe we now know how to win in conference.

    KEEP BUILDING!

    • Ducks lose, Beavers still playing. Where’s Gopher? Joseph had a pretty rough game going 4-15 from the field that should make him happy.

      • Thanks for the good news. That does make me happy. So the team he dumped on made it further in loser tourney………….I mean NIT. Poetic Justice!

        poetic

  23. Crazy stupid weather this year. I don’t expect to keep power for long.

    … and as I type a transformer a block away blows. Lucky it was down line I guess?

  24. Hey Angry, remember when you opened a discussion the resulted in you adding the “Jump to Bottom” link? That has been very helpful to me, thank you.
    But now I have another request. Would it be easy enough to add a “Jump to Top” link?
    Often I find myself having to scroll clear back up to the top in order to log in.

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