2005 Oregon State Beavers Basketball Preview

2005 Oregon State Beavers Team Preview

In three years at Oregon State coach Jay John has notched a 42 and 46 record. That may not seem impressive unless one considers the fact that for the first time in 15 years the Beavers had a winning season (17-15) last year. They went to the NIT and although they lost in the first round, the team discovered last season that they were capable of making vast improvements fairly quickly.

Oregon State begins its new season with a roster filled by experienced and tested players. Four seniors are back, three of whom are starting. The team is especially heavy with talented sophomores, including forward Sasa Cuic who is an athletic big man comfortable shooting from the perimeter. If he can even out his play Cuic could be in contention for an all-conference position this year.

Senior and versatile big man Nick DeWitz will join Cuic. Last year at forward DeWitz was a positive force on the floor pumping in 14.0 PPG, hitting 50% from 3-point land, and capturing 5.8 RPG.
Senior guard Chris Stephens can score but his play is uneven, while senior guard Lamar Hurd is a reliable leader on the floor with almost no scoring potential. The guard position offers Coach John one of his biggest challenges. Another problem is the club’s lack of rebounding with only DeWitz showing potential in this area.

One other perplexing area where the Beavers desperately need to improve is on the road. When away from home against PAC-10 teams Oregon State was 0 – 9, while at home playing those same teams the Beavers were 8 -1. Confidence, focus, and positive team energy brought about by a squad that for the most part has stayed intact since last season may help cure this strange ill.

Oregon State has the potential to finish 12 and 6 in conference play rather than 8 and 10. To do that they’d simply need to win four road games, which is certainly possible. Coach John has already done some impressive work in three years and it should not take three more years to take their next step.

For more info on the 2005 Beavers check out the official Oregon State athletic site.