Oregon State Game Preview/Open Thread

The Essentials

Date: Saturday, 2/10/18

Tip-Off Time: 7:00pm PST

TV: ESPNU

Radio: KOMO 1000

Streaming: Espn.com/watch

Location: Corvallis, Oregon

Betting Line: Oregon State -4

Oregon State 2017-18 Statistics:

Record: 12-11 (4-7)

Points For per Game: 73.3 ppg (170th)

Points Against per Game: 69.0 ppg (79th)

Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 108.1 (117th)

Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 101.8 (104th)

Strength of Schedule: 142nd

Oregon State Key Players:

C- Drew Eubanks, Jr. 6’10, 250: 12.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 62.3% FG, 69.4% FT

The Huskies struggled with Kenny Wooten on Thursday and Eubanks is probably the next best shot blocker/dunker in the conference. He’s a skilled big man who will give the Huskies problems when they drive inside or if he gets it within a few feet of the rim.

F- Tres Tinkle, So. 6’8, 220: 18.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 46.6% FG, 35.1% 3pt, 86.9% FT

The coach’s son missed almost all of last year but has returned back to form this season. I’ll expect Oregon State to put him in the high post where he has the potential to carve up the Washington zone since he can score from everywhere on the floor (and pass) with size.

F- Alfred Hollins, Fr. 6’6, 195: 4.7ppg, 2.5rpg, 0.5apg, 52.1% FG, 30% 3pt, 63.9% FT

Hollins will likely start as Zach Berger missed Thursday’s game with a concussion. He’s extremely foul prone which is why he hasn’t gotten more minutes despite pretty good efficiency numbers.

G- Ethan Thompson, Fr. 6’5, 290: 9.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 35.7% FG, 27.1% 3pt, 71.7% FT

The 4-star freshman has really struggled shooting the ball in his first season of college basketball and has been at his best when he takes people off the drive and gets to the line.

G- Stephen Thompson, Jr. 6’4, 190: 16.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 48.1% FG, 37.1% 3pt, 67.1% FT

The elder Thompson brother is more of a long range shooter and a better all-around player. He’s above average as a passer, scorer, and defender although not exceptional at any of them.

The Outlook

The Huskies find themselves in the reverse situation of Thursday. The Ducks were coming off a blowout loss while Washington was riding high after beating Arizona. Now, it’s Washington trying to rebound from an embarrassment while OSU obliterated the Cougars by 32 in their best game of the year. UW can only hope this one goes the same way.

Washington’s best defensive attribute is their ability to take away the 3-point line which means their best matchups are usually against guard dominant teams that like to bomb away. That isn’t the Beavers. OSU is both a bad 3-point shooting team as well as a team that doesn’t take many outside shots. They’ll work the ball inside and try to drive into the teeth of the zone. Whether Washington can prevent that penetration and force them to settle outside their comfort zone will dictate who has the upper hand. Tres Tinkle seems tailor made to light up the Huskies in the high post which is concerning.

The Beavers have been the 3rd best defensive team during conference play which is concerning for a streaky Washington team. I hate to say this comes down to which Husky team shows up but it basically does. Washington is 3-3 on the road in conference so far. In the 3 wins they’ve shot 50%, 42.1%, and 16.7% from 3-point range. In the 3 losses they’ve shot 7.4%, 11.1%, and 17.6% from beyond the arc. They pulled out the win at Washington State but only because they completely stopped shooting once they realized it wasn’t falling. OSU is allowing opponents to shoot 35.2% from deep on the year. If Washington bests that total then they’re going to win.

If the Huskies had won on Thursday then I’d call this one a classic trap game. Oregon State has talent and they’ve been frisky at home where they’re 4-2 in conference this year with wins over UCLA, Oregon, and Colorado. My hope is that Coach Hop is able to get into the players’ heads that they can’t stop playing like underdogs just because they’ve had some success. If Washington plays their A game then they win this game but I think it will be close.

Prediction

Washington Huskies- 64, Oregon State Beavers- 63

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