Beavers getting noticed in Seattle

The Beavers were exposed on a slow tv night when most of the Pac 12 north probably tuned in to watch. Their inability to shoot over the zone could limit their success in the Pac 12.
These next 3 games are very important! They need to address these very serious flaws fast or the, always well coached, Huskies will embarrass them on 12/29. Romar will surely force them to shoot over a 1-2-2 zone after tonight’s game. He’ll also work the shot clock on the offensive side. Keep the game pace slow.

The Beavs need to obviously work on their outside shooting and half court offense.
Maybe Roberto Nelson can be the go to guy when the game slows down and the key clogs up. Hard to say after tonight but he did show brief moments of confidence.

They also need to push the tempo after defensive rebounds against teams like Idaho that want to keep the pace slow. They have the atheletes to run. Get down court before the defense can plant themselves in the zone.

Finally, Coach Robinson has to decide if Cunningham has what it takes to be the offensive focus. They have two losses this year, both of which he was completely shut down in. Not having a field goal against a team like Idaho is a very serious issue. It goes without saying that former star players like Gary Payton, Steve Johnson, and AC Green would have put the team on their shoulders and found something inside themselves to blast thru slumps like tonight. Cunningham needs to find that in himself if he wants the team leader, pac 10 player of the year role. It could be that tonight was a one off game related to grief. Really a tough week for the whole university. Maybe the Vandy game is more troublesome than tonight. Hopefully he can grow into a go to leader for the rest of the team when things get tough.

As far as talent goes, I think this team is one of the deepest I’ve seen at OSU. I’ve been watching the beavs for a long time. I love the potential of this team. I just fear they might be lacking a take charge leader.

Gary had a Will Brantley and Eric Knox.. good players made better by a great player. A.C. Green had Steve Woodside and Charlie Sitton.. same thing. But I honestly think Cunningham has as much, if not more talent around him. We’ll just have to wait and see if he can be that guy that takes over the team and wills them into a winning record in the Pac 12. These next three games are crucial. It’s not just a cliche’. Great leadership really is often born thru adversity.

Three point shooting in going to be their achilles heel again this year. Coach Rob has to find/recruit a “zone killing” spot up three point shooter for the team to take it to the next level. Athleticism can only take you so far in D-1 ball. I am surprised he hasn’t tried Rhys Murphy in that role, that game against West Alabama he had a much “purer” looking 3 ball then anyone else on the team.

Anyone remember the UCLA game last year? They forced 26 turnovers and they still lost going away. How does that happen? They force Idaho into 18 turnovers and can’t get within 10 points. That only happens with horrific shoting.

Don’t get me wrong they are going to win some games on athleticism, but they are going to lose also when teams pack it in and force the Beavs to beat them from outside. For that matter, I have not been impressed with the zone offense yet either. I noticed every time Idaho switched to man, the Beavs attacked with confindence and scored or got fouled. Then when it went back to zone, they looked like a different team.

I feel for the most part that the things that had to happen in the games following the Idaho loss, did happen.
Nelson is really finding his groove. I think he and Starks showed the ability to drill some threes and open 2pt jumpers. We now know the Beavs at least are capable of shooting over a zone. Hopefully this is just the beginning of Starks growth. Maybe he could become a real floor general. I’m hoping to see some dribble penetration from him.. dishing out to Nelson or Cunningham for the wide open jumper.

I’m still feeling that Cunnigham isn’t the leader I’m hoping for. I’m hoping Starks takes that role and Cunningham and Nelson are free to move around without the ball and find open shots.

I’m loving the play of Collier, Burton, and Brandt. If Nelson, Cunningham, and Starks can keep the defense from collapsing in on these guys, the Beavs will do pretty good this year.

Coach Robinson should be praised for the accomplishments of the last three games. He must have really pushed Nelson and Starks. That was exactly what the Beavs needed.