This should be a great game. Both teams like to run and have the athletes to do it. Both teams have some size, too. Washington gets healthier, with Aziz N’Diaye coming back tonight. He's a decent big, and I'm curious to see how the Beavs can (or can't) handle him. My guess is Eric Moreland will see plenty of minutes tonight and blanket N’Diaye, with Joe Burton's mass moving over for help inside when necessary.

In the past, it went without saying that Washington was more talented. This year, it's a tougher call. If the Beavers can play fast, drive the lane, and make kick-out threes, then they'll be in this game. Jared Cunningham has become a leader off the court, and we're seeing that parlay into extraordinary team chemistry on it. Washington has more obvious NBA talent. So, does talent trump chemistry or visa versa?

Tough call.

Washington is going to be pumped for a home conference opener. Beavs will get their best effort, which is unfortunate in the sense that we all like easy wins, but it's a great gauge as to how good this vintage truly is. And everyone's curious to find that out, right? Was the non-con a charade, or are they legit? Personal opinion: they will play with everyone in the conference and be in every game. Whether they win or not…

And that's exactly how I feel about this matchup. Should be a one or two possession game. In close games, you should take the home team, but I love the Beavs confidence and chemistry heading into this game. Robinson is saying all the right things, and the guys play for one another. So I'm going against wisdom and taking OSU by a bucket and crossing my fingers that (a) they make their free throws, and (b) the Huskies don't get too much home cookin'.

79-77 Beavs

See http://orangeexpress.wordpress.com/ for JackBeav's take.

I thought it was because he could recruit to Corvallis, a town that is "impossible to recruit to", or that upon being hired he objectively noted that the talent he inherited wasn't good enough.

But,  that's only part of it.

The bigger reason is because 90% of athletics is confidence and psychology. Robinson recognizes this better than any OSU coach. Period.

Listen to his weekly press conference: http://www.osubeavers.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/orst-m-baskbl-sched.html

Highlights:

• He's getting nitpicky about little things/details
• Not taking playing well for granted
• The importance of closing out games/not getting bored. Mentions not boxing out during PSU. Flat out says it wasn't good enough.
• Admits they're an okay team, wants it to be a great team. Just needs to cut down mistakes to do that.
• Continue to give max effort and get better even during blowout wins.
• Tells players "you can't get away with this in the conference" when they perform poorly/sloppy, etc.
• Doesn't want the conference games to be a "surprise"…so need to treat OOC games as learning experiences where they give max effort and attention to detail.
• Put together the schedule to go 8-3/build confidence.
• Etc.

Just watch the interview for yourself. It is highly impressive and shows a guy who understands how to straight shoot (without being a jerk or Mr. Nice Guy), and understands the importance of detail, psychology, etc. So, not only do I love this coach because he recruits great talent to a place fans say is impossible to recruit great talent, but even more so because he "gets it."