Post by beaverology on Nov 2, 2023 5:05:03 GMT -8
It's been a repeating theme over the last 30 years. For 2023-24, OSU has been picked to finish last in the Pac12 in MBB by the media. Once again, the Beavs will try to prove the media wrong. WT has some nice returning pieces: guard Jordan Pope has star quality. Forwards Tyler Bilodeau and Michael Rataj each blossomed nicely last year but injuries derailed the season with the loss of center Chol Marial while Justin Rochelin and Christian Wright were nicked up most of the year. Still, the Beavers won 11 games and flashed some potential. Unfortunately, for the upcoming year, the Beavs suffered 2 causalities during the off-season:
1. The loss of Glenn Taylor Jr (arguably, the team's best player), who transferred to St. John's
and
2. Projected starter Nate Meithof tore his ACL during a summer workout and will be lost for the season.
These are 2 losses the Beavs could not afford and will make things more difficult once the Pac12 schedule starts.
Sunday night, the Beavers defeated Southern Oregon 84-61. Tyler Bilodeau led the Beavers with 15 points and six rebounds despite playing limited minutes. Dexter Akanno had 12 points and five rebounds, while Jordan Pope finished 11 points and five assists. Christian Wright and Da'John Craig recorded nine points apiece, while KC Ibekwe finished with eight. The Beavers led by as many as 30 in the contest. The development of KC Ibekwe will be something to watch. The big man flashed shot-blocking potential and some nifty low post moves last season as a freshman. Another player to watch is Da'John Craig, who averaged 18.1 points, six rebounds and four assists a game as a high school senior. He's a bit of an unknown and could be the wildcard. With Glenn Taylor Jr gone and Meithof out for the year, there is a void which creates an opportunity for a player to step up.
Oregon State will open the regular season on Nov. 6 when Linfield visits Corvallis.
1. The loss of Glenn Taylor Jr (arguably, the team's best player), who transferred to St. John's
and
2. Projected starter Nate Meithof tore his ACL during a summer workout and will be lost for the season.
These are 2 losses the Beavs could not afford and will make things more difficult once the Pac12 schedule starts.
Sunday night, the Beavers defeated Southern Oregon 84-61. Tyler Bilodeau led the Beavers with 15 points and six rebounds despite playing limited minutes. Dexter Akanno had 12 points and five rebounds, while Jordan Pope finished 11 points and five assists. Christian Wright and Da'John Craig recorded nine points apiece, while KC Ibekwe finished with eight. The Beavers led by as many as 30 in the contest. The development of KC Ibekwe will be something to watch. The big man flashed shot-blocking potential and some nifty low post moves last season as a freshman. Another player to watch is Da'John Craig, who averaged 18.1 points, six rebounds and four assists a game as a high school senior. He's a bit of an unknown and could be the wildcard. With Glenn Taylor Jr gone and Meithof out for the year, there is a void which creates an opportunity for a player to step up.
Oregon State will open the regular season on Nov. 6 when Linfield visits Corvallis.
