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Post by beaverinohio on Nov 2, 2022 6:46:32 GMT -8
Only 5 days away until the newest version of Oregon State MBB tips off. Rather than a new thread for each game preview — or at least the noncon games — thought I’d just start an opponent preview thread.
First up is Tulsa of the American Athletic Conference. For those who haven’t completely blocked out last year’s debacle of a season, you’ll remember that the Beavers lost to the Golden Hurricanes on the road 64-58 in the third game. Like the Beavers, Tulsa has gone through some changes since that game — the largest one being a new head coach.
After 8 seasons at Tulsa, Frank Haith stepped down as head coach. His tenure overall was fairly successful, but his final two seasons saw only 11 wins each year. So in steps Eric Konkol fresh off leading La Tech of Conference USA
to a 153-75 record in 7 seasons. He’s from the Jim Larranaga coaching tree having coached under him for 11 years at both George Mason and Miami. Looks to be an up and comer, and it will be interesting to see how he does with a rebuild — followed the successful Mike White at La Tech when he left for Florida.
Tulsa returns two starters and has 5 newcomers to the program (2 transfers and 3 freshmen). Beavs won’t have to contend with Jeriah Horne, who went 17 and 10 last year. Tulsa does have its leading scorer Sam Griffin (14.6 ppg) back, who scored 13 in the game last year. Anthony Pritchard (PG) and Tim Dalger are two other important returnees. Brandon Betson, a transfer from Chicago St, should also see time at the point. He averaged 14.2 ppg and 2.8 apg for them, both team highs.
Tulsa is not a big team with only 3 players listed 6-8 or taller — a kid from Ukraine who averaged 8.5 mpg last year, a JC transfer, and a frosh. If Andela is healthy, hopefully he can best last year’s solid 10 pts, 8 reb performance. Would love to say with certainty that this is a winnable game, but I have no idea. If Akanno can approach the stats he put up in the exhibition game and Taylor can take that next step, have to think we have a shot. Big game for both programs as they try to develop an identity for their new-look teams. Looking forward to seeing if Beavers can take a solid first step.
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Post by beaverstever on Nov 2, 2022 15:03:33 GMT -8
Konkol is a good coach, and is returning to his roots. I expect they will be a well-coached team, but that might not be the case right out of the gates.
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Post by beaverinohio on Nov 3, 2022 6:09:13 GMT -8
Game 2 of the season will find the Beavers hosting Florida A&M. Energy might be an issue for the Rattlers as this will be their third game in 5 days with Oregon and Portland coming prior on their Pacific Northwest revenue tour. Catching one or both those games on the tube might be your best bet to learn what the Beavers will face because not a lot of information out there on a SWAC team that returns only 4 players who saw action last year.
Interestingly, despite the lack of experience — the 4 returnees averaged a combined 36 mpg — FAMU is picked to finish 5th in their league. Not sure if that is more about respect for their coach Robert McCullum or just a down year for the conference. I’m guessing the former played into it as FAMU has won 56% of its conference games in McCullum’s 5 years, including an 11-7 conf record last year in their first season in the SWAC after moving from the MEAC.
So on to the players and plenty of conjecture. The 6-9 Legend Stamps leads the returnees in mpg with 14.2, but only averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.8 rpg. I’d expect two of the other returnees — Chase Barr’s and Dimingus Stevens — to see at least a fair amount of playing time. The 6-9 Barrs started his career at Western Michigan, while the 6-6 Stevens was a top 250 recruit who originally signed with Seton Hall
Of the newcomers, 3 stand out a bit based on their JC stats. But as we know, little hard to really gauge what you’ll get with a JC player. Jordan Tillmon looks likely to see time at PG after putting up 16.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 5.3 apg at
an Arkansas JC. Jaylen Bates had solid numbers going 13.5/6.4/1.5 with 1.4 spg. He also had two 30 point games. And Hantz Louis-Jeune averaged 12.7 ppg and appears to be a shooter.
Certainly seems like a winnable game. Their game against Oregon is on prior to Beavers game on Monday, so might have to watch a bit. More likely though is I nap during that game so I can stay awake for Beavs opener with its midnight start in my time zone.
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Post by beaverbeliever on Nov 7, 2022 8:13:50 GMT -8
Thanks for doing these!
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Post by beaverinohio on Nov 8, 2022 6:08:16 GMT -8
Ducks beat FAMU by 35, so have to think game is very winnable. They played only 7 guys until mop up time, so energy could be an issue being it will be their 3rd game in 5 days. Two players I thought might be contributors — both on the bigger side — did not play. Without them, they were out rebounded 44-26 and gave up 17 offensive rebounds. Too early in season and too many unknowns right now, but I like the Beavers chances to go 2-0 to start season.
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Post by beaverinohio on Nov 10, 2022 15:47:11 GMT -8
Portland beat FAMU by 37 last night and had a 42-26 rebounding advantage. Get them down early, hit the boards, and the Rattlers should play like they just want to get on a plane and leave the state of Oregon.
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Post by drunkandstoopidbeav on Nov 10, 2022 21:20:04 GMT -8
Sad thing is, if OSU doesn't win by at least 35 or 37 points there will be someone freaking out about the team not living up the the direct comparison to the other schools.
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Post by beaverbeliever71 on Nov 10, 2022 23:41:19 GMT -8
Sad thing is, if OSU doesn't win by at least 35 or 37 points there will be someone freaking out about the team not living up the the direct comparison to the other schools. What happens if OSU only wins like 82-63? lol |
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Post by drunkandstoopidbeav on Nov 10, 2022 23:58:45 GMT -8
Sad thing is, if OSU doesn't win by at least 35 or 37 points there will be someone freaking out about the team not living up the the direct comparison to the other schools. What happens if OSU only wins like 82-63? lol Exactly. My guess is there will be some people putting a negative spin on it. |
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Post by beaverinohio on Nov 11, 2022 7:19:49 GMT -8
What I’m interested in seeing in this game and the two following are:
1. Does Ibekwe play at all. If not, looks like they’ll be redshirting him.
2. Will WT do a better job of getting his bench players some substantial minutes in these early season matchups that favor the Beavs. That has been a weakness of WT’s in the past I believe. Really want to see Rataj get more minutes, but also Bilodeau and Stevens. Going to need them if we hope to have a competitive season, so get them some real experience
One thing I’d like to see — especially if Ibekwe sees no action in this or next two games — is some 5-out offense. It isn’t something WT does much if at all usually, but might be needed if we have injury issues at center at some point. It would seem with Rataj, Bilodeau and Ryuny, we have some guys who have the game to do it. However, I have my doubts whether we will.
Not really concerned with score of any of the next 3 games except that it would be disappointing and likely troubling if we don’t see double digit wins where the outcomes of the games aren’t in question for too long. With a young team and hopefully getting the bench some experience, 30 point wins aren’t a priority for me at all. Just need to see development throughput.
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Post by drunkandstoopidbeav on Nov 11, 2022 11:46:01 GMT -8
As far as redshirts go, I wish basketball was like football in that the NCAA is now letting kids play a few football games and still redshirt.
I'd think letting kids play in even 6-10 games (football is 1/3rd of the season basically) would be good for player development and help teams in situations when they are shorthanded when overlapping injuries or illnesses occur. As it stands in basketball, 1 second on the floor during gameplay blows a redshirt.
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Post by beaverbeliever71 on Nov 11, 2022 12:19:28 GMT -8
Sad thing is, if OSU doesn't win by at least 35 or 37 points there will be someone freaking out about the team not living up the the direct comparison to the other schools. Does that mean that Portland is better than Oregon because they beat FAMU by a bigger margin? lol |
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Post by treasurevalleybeav on Nov 11, 2022 17:24:02 GMT -8
I'd love to see Rataj play more tonight. He has such a huge upside.
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Post by Judge Smails on Nov 11, 2022 17:36:09 GMT -8
I'd love to see Rataj play more tonight. He has such a huge upside. That’s what she said. |
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Post by ag87 on Nov 12, 2022 0:22:38 GMT -8
Sad thing is, if OSU doesn't win by at least 35 or 37 points there will be someone freaking out about the team not living up the the direct comparison to the other schools. this needed bumped up |
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