What a game to pick for our first outing to Gill Coliseum to see the Oregon State men’s basketball team. The undermanned, young, Beavers pulled out some old-school Big East or Big Ten style defense and came up some big shot down the stretch to be the 7th ranked Wildcats.
Frankly, I’m stunned. Going into the season the Beavers have been picked to finish dead last in the Pac 12, even new coach Wayne Tinkle admitted that this season would be a work in progress, and yet here they are with a 10-0 record at home and a win over a top ten team.
They do it by contesting everything. Every pass, shot, rebound, etc. you earn every point you get on them, and with college basketball being what it is, that’ll keep you in it most of time.
That and the home court advantage tiny Gill gives them. Seriously, the attendance tonight was just over 6,000 and my ears were ringing when we left, it got loud at he end of the game in the old barn.
I think even Gary Payton had to enjoy watching his kid play in this one. You really can’t miss the Glove at the games, he’s right there court side when he’s not doing TV interviews or saying hello to the kids who came it at halftime. I wonder how much that helps with recruiting?
Congrats Beavers, great game and really, an easy team to root for!
Angela Netherland McBride
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