Oregon State Beavers 2010 Men's Basketball Post Season

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Oregon State Beavers

Pacific 10 Conference (14-17, 8-10)

Big Wins: 1/14 Arizona (67-64), 2/13 at Arizona (63-55), 2/18 California (80-64)

Bad Losses: 11/13 vs Texas A&M CC (43-67), 11/21 Sacramento State (63-65), 12/16 at Illinois Chicago (61-63)

Coach: Craig Robinson

Why They Can Surprise:

Oregon State has been a great story over the last two years since Coach Craig Robinson has taken over the team. However, building off their success of a year ago did not happen and the Beavers struggled during the 2009-2010 campaign despite returning a majority of their players.

Calvin Haynes and Seth Tarver are still the best two scorers on the team. Haynes is the team’s leading scorer and the only consistent outside shooting threat. He only connects on 1.5 long balls per game and he takes 4.2, which is pretty average percentage, but on this team it is really, really good. Tarver will not hit the outside shot like Haynes, but he is a superb slasher who will finish above the rim and help out on the glass. Freshman Jared Cunningham has worked his way into the starting lineup and has had some decent outings. However, on the year he is averaging just 5.7 points and turns the ball over 2.3 times per game.

Why They Can Disappoint:

It is on the glass where OSU has a problem. The team almost always gets outrebounded and rarely can the Beavers afford to give up extra possessions. Tarver is actually the most effective rebounder on the team and he needs help from center Roeland Schaftenaar and forwards Omari Johnson, Angus Brandt and Joe Burton. Schaftenaar has developed into a solid inside-outside scoring threat who can stretch the defense with his shooting ability, but he needs to use his 6-11, 240 pound frame to battle on the glass. Johnson is rarely much of a help on the glass, but Burton has been a pleasant surprise during his freshman campaign. With Schaftenaar and Burton on the floor, the Beavers are not that bad on the glass.

Who To Watch:

Nobody is quite sure who the fourth scorer on this team should be. After Haynes, Tarver and Schaftenaar the scoring output drops off significantly. Cunningham could be that guy, but usually is not. Josh Tarver is the experienced option, but he is averaging just 3.1 points per game and is pretty much a backup point guard who plays decent defense. It may not be necessary for Oregon State to find another scorer, but outside of the big three, most players do not contribute much. Burton will grab some boards and Josh Tarver can make some plays, but this is a group that has never really come together throughout the entire season and it is unlikely that it will happen in the postseason.

Probable Starters:

Calvin Haynes, Junior, Guard, 12.4 ppg, 1.7 apg

Jared Cunningham, Freshman, Guard, 5.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg

Seth Tarver, Senior, Guard, 10.3 ppg, 2.3 apg, 4.7 rpg

Omari Johnson, Junior, Forward, 4.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg

Roeland Schaftenaar, Senior, Center, 9.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg

Key Roleplayers:

Angus Brandt, Freshman, Center, 1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg

Joe Burton, Freshman, Forward, 4.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg

Josh Tarver, Senior, Guard, 3.1 ppg, 1.6 apg

Lathen Wallace, Junior, Guard, 4.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg

By the Numbers:

Scoring Offense: 60.0 (320^th in nation, 9^th in conference)

Scoring Defense: 61.1 (29, 3)

Field-Goal Percentage: 43.1 (194, 8)

Field-Goal Defense: 42.5 (144, 4)

Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.2 (323, 9)

Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: na

Free-Throw Percentage: 67.3 (221, 7)

Rebound Margin: 0.4 (178, 6)

Assists Per Game: 11.4 (275, 8)

Turnovers Per Game: 14.9 (259, 10)