Oregon State Men’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Breakdown

Oregon State’s Men’s Basketball team looks to bounce back in 2017-18 from a dismal 5-27 overall record (1-17 in Pac-12 play) last season. The roster is much deeper with nearly everyone returning from last season, including star Forward Tres Tinkle, who missed most of the 2016-17 season with a wrist injury. The Beavers will add a talented recruiting class including four-star guard Ethan Thompson, 6-8 Forward UMass Grad Transfer Seth Berger, skilled in-state talent Zach Reichle, and four-star wing Alfred Hollins. The Beavers hope to not only improve, but return to the NCAA Tournament, which they achieve during Coach Wayne Tinkle’s second season in 2015-16.

The Beaver’s 2017-18 Non-Conference schedule was just recently released. Here’s a breakdown of each game.

Exhibition: vs Pacific (OR) Friday, Nov. 3

Location: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR

2016-17 Record: 12-12 NCAA Division III Northwest Conference

Nice little tune up for the Beavs in a game that does not count in the standings. Beavs should not look past Pacific (remember the loss against Western Oregon in 2014?). This is a good opportunity to give multiple players minutes, and for the team to continue to learn how to gel together.

Game 1: vs Southern Utah, Friday, Nov. 10

Location: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR

2016-17 Record: 6-27 Overall (3-15 Big Sky)

Welcome to the 2017-18 Beaver Nation. The route to redemption begins here. The Beavers will be tested by a Southern Utah team that is also desperate to improve. For Southern Utah, a win over Oregon State would be a gigantic win for 2nd year Head Coach Todd Simon. Unfortunately for Southern Utah, Guard Randy Onwasor, who was Southern Utah’s leading scorer last season averaging 23.6 pts per game, transferred to LSU. James McGee was the second leading scorer for the Thunderbirds, averaging 14.2 pts per game. Coach Simon added two transfers this season, Forward Andre Adams from Arizona State (1.4 pts per game), and Forward Jamal Aytes from Brigham Young (2.1 pts per game in 16-17).

Although the Beavers are much improved this season, they are in no position to overlook any opponent, period. The Beavers have a huge opportunity to make some noise right out of the gate.

Game 2: vs Wyoming, Monday, Nov. 13

Location: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR

2016-17 Record: 23-15 Overall (8-10 Mountain West) 2017 CBI Champions

The competition steps up a bit with Wyoming visiting Gill Coliseum. Wyoming, like the Beavers, is hoping to return to the NCAA Tournament, which they last made an appearance in 2015. The Cowboys are led by 6-7 Junior Guard Justin James (16.0 pts per game in 16-17). The Cowboys have tons of momentum after winning the 2017 CBI Tournament. They have played well against Pac-12 teams in recent years. Here are some of there latest games against Pac-12 competiton.

2012- vs #19 Colorado Win 76-69

2013-at Colorado Loss 63-58

2014-vs Colorado Win 56-33; at Cal Loss 45-42

2015-vs Cal Loss 78-72 OT

2016-at Cal Loss 81-71; vs #23 USC Loss 94-92 OT

Wyoming has been very competitive against the Pac-12. There is no doubt the Cowboys are going to bring their best efforts against the Beavers. The Beavers need to bring their A game as well if they want to defeat Wyoming to likely start the year 2-0.

Game 3: vs Long Beach State, Saturday, Nov. 18

Location: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR

2016-17 Record: 15-19 Overall (9-7 Big West)

Dan Munson brings his solid program to Corvallis with the goal to defeat the Beavers two seasons in a row. Last Season, Long Beach solidly defeated the Beavers, 71-67 in Portland at the Moda Center. The LBSU 49ers continue to have a difficult Non-Conference schedule. Last season, they played powerhouses such as North Carolina, Wichita State, UCLA, and Kansas. This season, the 49ers will continue to play great Power 5 teams such as West Virginia, Michigan State, Stanford, and Arizona. Both teams will be in the Advocare Invitational Tournament in Orlando, Florida, so they could play twice this season. The Beavers will play a team that is not afraid of taking on the big boys of College Basketball. They need to be ready.

Game 4: vs St. John’s, Thursday, Nov. 23 (Advocare Invitational Tournament)

Location: Orlando, Florida, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

2016-17 Record: 14-19 Overall (7-11 Big East)

Here is how the tournament works. There are 8 teams, and each team is guaranteed 3 games. There is a winner’s bracket and a loser’s bracket. All the teams are listed below. The Beavers drew St. John’s in the first round.

The game will be a battle between Pac-12 vs Big East. The Beavers will be challenged by a talented St. John’s team led by third year coach and NBA Legend (5-Time NBA All-Star) Chris Mullin. St. John’s backcourt which includes Justin Simon, Marcus LoVett, and Shamorie Ponds is ranked 4th in the nation, according to Lindy’s Magazine, just behind North Carolina, USC, and Arizona. Beaver Guards Stephen and Ethan Thompson, and JaQuori McLaughlin are going to be key in slowing down that back court. St. John’s will provide the Beavers a good quality challenge in the first round.

Game 5: (Advocare Invitational Tournament) Friday Nov. 24

Location: Orlando, Florida, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Long Beach State or Missouri 8-24 Overall (2-16 SEC)

With the addition of the top recruit in the nation, Michael Porter Jr. and his brother Jontay Porter, and the addition of a top 5 ranked recruiting class, Missouri is predicted to be dramatically better this season. In addition, the Tigers lured Head Coach Cuonzo Martin from Cal to be their head coach. College Basketball Experts such as ESPN’s Myron Medcalf and Scott Gleeson of USA Today have Missouri as a Top-25 team. Michael Porter Jr and Jontay Porter have been compared to Current NBA Star Kevin Durant. This would be a great match-up for the Beavs in the second round, especially since it could boost the Beavers’ RPI.

The Beavers could play Long Beach St. for the second time this season. The two opponents should be quite familiar with each other, and this time the game would be in a neutral setting.

Game 6: (Advocare Invitational Tournament) Sunday Nov. 26

Location: Orlando, Florida, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Other teams in the Tournament: Marist 8-24 Overall (5-15 MAAC), Central Florida 24-12 Overall (11-7 AAC) NIT Semifinals, Nebraska 12-19 Overall (6-12 Big Ten), West Virginia 28-9 Overall (12-6 Big 12) NCAA Sweet 16. Beavers will play one of these teams in their third game of this tournament. The Beavers hope that they will get a shot at the Advo. Tourney favorite, West Virginia, which could boost the Beavers’ strength of schedule and RPI.

Game 7: vs Loyola Marymount, Saturday, Dec. 2

Location: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR

2016-17 Record: 15-15 Overall (8-10 West Coast Conference)

The two teams last played December 2nd, 2015. Ironically, these two teams will play exactly two years after the last time they played. The Beavers prevailed in that game 79-70; however, the game was closer than the score indicated. Head Coach Mike Dunlap seems to have the Lions moving in the right direction. Dunlap was a former NBA coach as he was the head man for the then-named Charlotte Bobcats, now Hornets in 2012-13. The Beavs need to be razor focused because the Loyola Marymount basketball program looks like they are trending in an upward direction.

Game 8: vs Eastern Kentucky, Tuesday, Dec. 5

Location: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR

2016-17 Record: 12-19 Overall (5-11 Ohio Valley Conference)

Eastern Kentucky is coming off back-to-back losing seasons. The Colonels made the 2014 NCAA Tournament, and they made the College Invitational Tournament (CIT) in 2015. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, “EKU returns five of its top six scorers from last season’s 12-19 squad, including two-time first team All-OVC forward Nick Mayo (18.5 points per game) and 2017 OVC All-Newcomer guard Asante Gist (15.9 points-per-game).”

Game 9: vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Saturday, Dec.9

Location: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR

2016-17 Record: 7-25 Overall (6-12 SWAC)

Arkansas-Pine Bluff make the trip across the country to take on the Beavers. The Lions last made it to the NCAA Tournament in 2010. Junior Forward Trent Steen is the Lions’s leading returning scorer (9.1 points per game). Junior Guard Jaquan Lynch also returns, averaging 9.0 points per game.

Game 10: vs Jacksonville State, Tuesday, Dec. 12

Location: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, OR

2016-17 Record: 20-15 (9-7 Ohio Valley) NCAA Tournament

Jacksonville State made the NCAA Tournament in 2017 for the first time in school history. They won the 2017 Ohio Valley Tournament as the number 4 seed in their conference tournament. The most intriguing story-line entering this game will be the return of former Beaver Guard Derrick Bruce. Bruce transferred from Oregon State after his Freshmen season in 2015-16 season and played a key role in helping the Beavers make the NCAA Tournament that season. Bruce played last season at Northwest Florida State junior college. After last season, Bruce transferred to Jacksonville State where he will be a Junior. Many in Beaver Nation had high hopes for Bruce, and it is likely for Beaver fans to wonder what could have been, when Bruce and the Gamecocks arrive in Corvallis. The speedy guard is looking to having a big game against his former team. This game is going to be an intriguing game for the Beavers.

Game 11: vs Saint Louis, Saturday, Dec. 16

Location: Moda Center, Portland, OR

2016-17 Record: 12-21 Overall (6-12 Atlantic 10)

Great news for Beaver Fans and Alumni from Portland, the Beavers will be playing in Portland again for the 4th year in a row. The Beavers will take on the Billikens who last made the NCAA Tournament in 2014. Saint Louis will be led by 2nd year head coach, Travis Ford. Previously, Ford coached at Oklahoma State from 2008-16, where he was able to take Oklahoma State to the NCAA tournament on multiple occasions. Saint Louis fans are very excited for this year’s team due to 4 new talented transfers (Adonys Henriquez, Javon Bess, D.J Foreman, and Ty Graves) and two incoming Freshmen looking to make a major impact. Coach Ford praised the transfers and their work on the scout team. “They were so dominating,” Coach Ford stated, referring to the scout team. Incoming Freshman and four-star recruit, Jordan Goodwin was ranked 50th overall in the 2017 recruiting class. In addition, three-star Forward Hashan French was highly recruited as well. Saint Louis should be a good challenge for the Beavers.

Game 12: at Kent State, Thursday, Dec. 21

Location: Memorial Athletic and Convocation (M.A.C.) Center, Kent, Ohio

2016-17 Record: 22-14 Overall (10-8 MAC) NCAA Tournament

Although, Kent State was one of the Beavers few victories last season (69-50 Beavs, last December in Gill), the Beavers should not expect their game in Kent to be a cakewalk. The Beavers are arguably Kent State’s biggest marquee opponent visiting Kent this winter. The locals and fan base should be fired up having a Power 5 school visit Kent. Kent State played its best basketball of the season late last season winning eight of their last 9 games, including upsetting MAC Regular Season Champion Akron in the MAC Tournament Final. As a result of winning the MAC Tournament, Kent State earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Junior Guard Jaylin Walker is the Golden Flashes top returning scorer (15.8 points per game). This is the Beavers only true road game during the Non-Conference portion of their schedule, and they better be prepared to play the talented Golden Flashes in a hostile environment.