Oregon State Basketball: Opponent Preview - UT-San Antonio Roadrunners (Game 6)

UT-San Antonio Roadrunners (2-2)

• Head Coach: Steven Henson (5th Season, Overall: 66–70)
• Top Performer: Jhivvan Jackson (18.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG)
• Points For: 79.5 PPG (T-88th)
• Points Against: 79.8 PPG (276th)
• Last Game/Streak: 91-62 Win vs. Sul Ross State (1W)

The Skinny

After a 2-0 start to the season, Oregon State has now dropped three games in a row against the likes of Washington State, Wyoming and Portland and recovering at home against UT-San Antonio has suddenly become a larger chore than expected. For lack of better terms, it’s getting to become panic time for the Beavers, who sit just days away from their Pac-12 opener against USC.

A return game of last year’s tilt at the Battleground 2K19 in Houston, a contest in which the Beavers won by 10, head coach Wayne Tinkle and company will see some familiar foes out there on Wednesday afternoon, led by the duo of high-scoring Roadrunners guards in Jhivvan Jackson (18.7 PPG) and Keaton Wallace (13.3 PPG). These two are names everyone needs to know.

Jackson, who is one of the country’s elite individual talents, has the ability at any given moment to get going in an efficient manor, as the Puerto Rico-native shoots a staggering 48.9% from the field. As for Wallace, the “Robin” to UT-San Antonio’s “Batman”, the comfortable second man often finds ways to contribute outside the scoring column, leading the squad in assists (3.0 APG) and currently ranking third in rebounding (4.5 RPG).

Not to beat a dead horse, but it’s a bit frightening how similar UT-San Antonio appears at times to be as both Wyoming and Portland, two other mid-major teams who gave Oregon State trouble.

For instance, swingman Eric Parrish (10.0 PPG) is a new in-state addition who looks like he’ll become a formidable piece, while increased roles from guys like 6’ 11” center Jacob Germany (8.5 PPG) and Italian guard Erik Czumbel (8.3 PPG) have changed the complexion of this group from the inside-out. Yes, this is another Beavers opponent to worry about. Now, more than ever.

Player To Watch

Jhivvan Jackson (Senior - Guard)

Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

If you look up the word “bucket-getter” in the basketball dictionary, Jhivvan Jackson’s picture will definitely be right there, as the Roadrunners star guard is the epitome of a non-stop scorer. UT-San Antonio head coach Steve Henson doesn’t complicate things and he lets Jackson operate freely next to Keaton Wallace with a two-headed attack that can stand alongside some of the country’s best one-two punches.

Game Info

• Date: Wednesday, December 16th
• Time: 2:00 PM PT
• Location: Gill Coliseum (Corvallis, Oregon)
• Coverage: Pac-12 Networks