Oregon State Basketball Preview 2021

PreviewsNCAAMPac-12 BasketballOregon State Beavers

Nov 3

Our Oregon State basketball preview 2021 - 22 notes that last season the Beavers did something they have not done in 39 years. They went to the Big Dance and made it to the Elite Eight. In the regular season, the Oregon State Beavers (20-13 Overall, 10-10 Pac-12) finished sixth. OSU then won the conference tourney. The Elite Eight finish and Pac-12 Tournament crown probably saved Wayne Tinkle’s (113-109 Oregon/7 years, 271-200 Overall/15 years) job, as the head coach has a 50.9 percent winning mark with the Beavers. Despite losing the key talents and leadership of Ethan Thompson, OSU’s best player in 2020-21, Tinkle used the transfer portal heavily during the offseason. Five Division I players and one junior college talent arrive to bolster the team for this season. Along with transfers, OSU sees three starters return.

Beavers Frontcourt

Forward Warith Alatishe and center Roman Silva return. Last season, Alatishe led the team in points per game (9.5 PPG) and blocked shots (1.4). Of returning players, Alatishe also led OSU in rebounds with 8.6 per game. Our Oregon State basketball preview 2021 - 22 notes that Silva could be a strong inside offensive threat but for his foul issues. Also at forward, Maurice Calloo led the team in three-point percentage (.420). Maryland transfer and former top-100 recruit Chol Marial looks to be a solid three-point threat.

Oregon State Basketball Preview – Backcourt

The point position is up for grabs with the most likely winners being returning junior Gianna Hunt or transfer Dashawn Davis (Trinity Valley CC). Last season, Hunt shot 36.6/37.1/85.7. Averaging 20.2 MPG, he hit for 5.2 PPG and 2.7 APG. At Trinity, Davis was good for 17.7 PPG and 9.6 APG. Jarod Lucas, the Beavers’ most experienced returning player with 29.3 MPG, shot 38 percent from the field and downtown and 80.8 percent from the free-throw stripe. He’s a deadly perimeter shooter who can score in bunches. Graduate transfer Xzavier Malone-Key (Fairleigh Dickinson) brings a shot that hits 48 percent of the time.