Monday Links...

by ArbyOSU on Feb 8, 2010 9:56 AM PST Comment 12 comments

So THAT was a nice weekend, wasn't it?

Sure, my Blazers lost to a Kobe-less L*kers squad, but at least my Beavers swept a gasping ducks squad. Jake did a great job of summarizing the game and I bumped it down a level with this stupid post of mine, so please check that out. He includes some good links to other content on there as well. Gotta love the fact that the ducks can't win unless they're wearing pink or playing in the State of Washington.

On the subject of PAC 10 hoops, Arizona is pulling an SC and self sanctioning after learning of some Lute Olsen era issues. I wish self sanctioning worked in real life. Like I could break the law, then self sanction myself and the cops would let me slide. That would be awesome.

Football recruiting news! No, I'm serious! Record breaking De La Salle RB Terron Ward has committed to OSU after entertaining a preferred walk-on offer from Cal. Ward, who was named Bay Area News Group East Bay Player of the Year this past season, is expected to grayshirt. The big knock on Ward? His height, which probably isn't a problem for Riley and Co. Oh yeah, and he's TJ Ward's brother, but let's not hold that against him. Cliff K. has more on Ward.

Buker has his usual notes and musings. Some good stuff here on the Ward commitment and a quick reminder that Stephen Paea is kind of strong.
The 20th ranked Beavers Wrestling squad upset number 16 Cal Poly. I know nothing about wrestling, other than it looks painful and uncomfortable, so you should just click this link and read about it there.
Ted Miller says the void left by the graduation of Sean Canfield will be one of the toughest to fill in the PAC 10.

That's it for now. Add anything you find in the comments below and GO BEAVERS!

Poll

Civil War sweep preference?

I want a sweep in BASEBALL the most. We're the dominant team and should always handle the ducks.

25 votes

BASKETBALL! It's ALL about kicking your neighbor when they're down! TP for 3!

29 votes

54 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 12 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

We lost one last year in baseball

And still showed total dominance over the Duck baseball team. We play them five times again this season (was it six last year, seems like we were always playing them) and I can live with the Ducks winning one again.

Basketball is a different story if the Ducks win one then there isn’t much to brag about, like last year, this year was great.

-RVM

by rvm on Feb 8, 2010 10:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I especially liked this win because of the general vibe I’ve been getting from ducks the past two years. After each loss to the Beavs, I’ve read/heard ducks try to rationalize each loss as something the ducks gave away, like they have a superior team that is simply handing out Civil War wins to us or something. Hopefully this is a wake up call. Our basketball team might be in transition and on many nights, yes, we downright suck and play like crap. But guess what. Your guys suck a little more.

by ArbyOSU on Feb 8, 2010 10:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I’ll take it a step further and say what I like beyond what you said (which I’m 100% on the same page as you on) is that we didn’t suck for once, or look on the verge of sucking then somehow pull a win out in the end by having Deane save our skin, and maybe (just maybe) that game is a harbinger of things to come.

-RVM

by rvm on Feb 8, 2010 10:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The second half was pretty dominant.

Defensively, they made the ducks change what they wanted to do and just watched them fall apart under the pressure. On offense they were just grinding it out and it worked, except when they started to loosen up in the final five minutes. This game could have easily been decided by 30 points if the Beavers played a little bit tighter toward the end.

I just want Robinson to stick around long enough to get a full roster full of HIS guys. That’s all I think about while I watch Josh Tarver bring the ball up, or watch Schaftenaar get out-muscled down low on either end. This team is definitely making the right moves, albeit slowly.

by ArbyOSU on Feb 8, 2010 10:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And they held off the brief Duck run in the first half and didn’t fall into one of those yucky 10 minute slumps, which is something else that didn’t suck!

Well one upside of the lack of success this season is I’m assuming we won’t have any of that “OMG Coach Rob could leave us next year for a better gig!!!” He sure hasn’t proven himself totally yet at this level, and as you noted he needs to get his guys in there (Cunningham is very much highlighting this!) so he’ll be around for a bit longer unless something really weird happens.

This game could have easily been decided by 30 points if the Beavers played a little bit tighter toward the end.

Yes, but don’t you think they kind-of started to celebrate and a big sigh of relief came over the team? That was a pretty huge game with the crowd, the rivalry, and having all the alum there.

-RVM

by rvm on Feb 8, 2010 11:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The in-game celebration was funny but frustrating.

I was glad to see them toy with the ducks at the end but wanted to see them keep the proverbial foot on the throat and run it up on them. Hell, it’s a rivalry right?

At the same time, I liked seeing them play freely and even clear the bench at the end. Nothing says, “We did whatever we wanted to do to you today and had fun doing it!” like clearing the bench.

Oh, and I wish people would stop comparing incoming OSU PG Ahmad Starks to freaking Porter! Talk about a kiss of death. That guy shoots his team right out of games.

by ArbyOSU on Feb 8, 2010 12:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

More on Ward

The SF Chronicle has this piece with some quotes from Ward.

by ArbyOSU on Feb 8, 2010 12:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Strange (but true) news headline of the day...

Not to make light of anyone’s death here but seriously, what’s up with the headline here:

Decomposed body in Oregon State sweatshirt found near Umpqua River

by ArbyOSU on Feb 8, 2010 2:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

excuse me for my lack of knowlege...

but what exactly is a “preferred walk-on” offer? Are they saying that they will make the team but don’t have a scholarship?

by Escrote on Feb 8, 2010 3:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

A link I found had this answer from a somewhat reputable source (guy claims to be some sort of NCAA official):

In some instances, a college coach/recruiter may designate an athlete as a “preferred walk-on” during the scouting process. In this situation, the athlete is assured a spot on the team, however the coach is unable or unwilling to offer a scholarship.

A normal old walk-on is someone who shows up and attempts to make the team during open tryouts. At least that’s my understanding.

by ArbyOSU on Feb 8, 2010 3:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That is kind of what I was thinking...

but I wasn’t sure. Thanks for the info.

by Escrote on Feb 9, 2010 8:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

These are the ones

who, barring something else strange happening, will usually get a scholarship when someone else leaves for some reason, or in the next year, when one frees up.

Can be a good deal if your next best prospect is D II or a really weak program, but it can be risky if the coach might leave, or isn’t trustworthy.

Andy Wooldridge, andy_wooldridge@yahoo.com
Go Beavs!

by AndyPanda on Feb 9, 2010 9:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs