Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (6-6)

• Head Coach: Donyell Marshall (3rd Season)
• Top Performer: Tyler Kohl (19.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG)
• Points For: 75.3 PPG (T-153rd)
• Points Against: 76.5 PPG (281st)
• Last Game/Streak: 93-90 Win at Maine (1W)

The Skinny

For Oregon State’s final contest in the non-conference portion of their schedule, the Beavers, who now sit at 7-4 after a tough loss to Kent State, will try to regain their footing in a match-up with Central Connecticut State at Gill Coliseum on Saturday night.

The Blue Devils, who have made strides in the right direction in the past two seasons under head coach Donyell Marshall (the former NBA stand-out), are arguably reaching their truest potential in year three. They have four players who currently averaging over 10.4 points per game, led by leading scorer and senior Tyler Kohl (19.3 PPG).

Kohl, the team’s most prolific option, is featured as our “Player to Watch” below due to his explosive scoring exploits and natural ability to fill up a stat-sheet. He’s flanked by a trio of other capable talents in guard Ian Krishnan (14.0 PPG) and forwards Joe Hugley (11.3 PPG) and Jamir Coleman (10.4 PPG), who have all had their own fair share of breakout moments this season. Senior center Deoin Bute (8.5 PPG) is another piece to keep an eye on as well, as the 6’ 9” enforcer controls the paint at both ends for Central Connecticut State.

While usually, a challenger from the Northeast Conference (NEC) who was picked to finish 6th in the preseason poll would not be seen as much of a test, with Oregon State’s recent up-and-down form, the Beavers are hard to gauge at the moment. If head coach Wayne Tinkle’s squad plays to their potential, it should be an enjoyable Saturday at the Gill. But if Oregon State allows the Blue Devils to hang around in this one, the Beavers could be in for another forty minute slug-fest.

Player To Watch

Tyler Kohl (Senior): A two-year player in the Blue Devils program, Tyler Kohl is the straw that stirs it all this season for Central Connecticut State. An electric scorer who has somehow upped his averaged this season to 19.3 points per game, the 6’ 5” native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, is coming off a 33-point, 7-rebound outing in a double-overtime victory over Maine.

Game Info

• Date: Saturday, December 29th
• Time: 5:00 PM PT
• Location: Gill Coliseum (Corvallis, OR)
• Coverage: Pac-12 Network