Oregon st already beat USC at home earlier 1/30 83-74 and now stand as 1.5 home fav. Some news from a hoops site:
Be forewarned, I am not a prophet, I just play one in this column. What I?m about to let you in on may throw you for a twist, or even shock you, so settle in, grab a beer, or do whatever it is that you need to do to prepare yourself.
All systems are starting to come around with this team and there will be repercussions throughout the Pac-10, mark my words. This year?s Pacific-10 conference currently ranks last among the big 6 conferences (also known by football fans as the BCS conferences) according to the Sagarin ratings, which leads this columnist to the thought that the surprise team may be the fearless, never-say-die, Oregon State Beavers.
The defense of this beaver team has opponents shooting a horrendous 40.8 percent from the field, and while the beavers are only at 44 percent themselves, recent personal turnarounds by seniors Brian Jackson and Jimmy Haywood as well as freshman star-to-be point guard Lamar Hurd?s extra practice time have the beavers shooting numbers headed north. The recent offensive turnaround can be attributed to the team getting much more comfortable with coach John?s fast-paced offensive style and feeding off of their defense. As any armchair knows, defense wins championships, and while this team is not headed for that label just yet, defense will be the key to their resurgence. Another factor is the overall attitude of the team being tremendously positive, even after tough losses to the Bay area schools, and the rival Ducks. The orange and black knew they were on to something, came home and showed that in their play, and dominated.
The SoCal schools are struggling, and the Beavers are ready to kick them while their down. Mike Bibby?s father is as arrogant as ever and will overlook the Beavers giving OSU basketball a golden opportunity to do what the OSU football team cannot: beat the Trojans on the road.
UCLA head man Steve Lavin?s respirator has been unplugged and athletic director Dan Guerreo will have a replacement in the day the season ends if not sooner. The staple of this squad has been their lackluster, emotion-less play, especially at home with losses to San Diego and Northern Arizona, not to mention exhibition losses to EA Sports and some slugs that go by the name Branch West. The point is this: Lavin has lost this team, his players don?t care and are awaiting next season in the middle of this one. Many are contemplating leaving the team, and although they have the athleticism of years past, their hearts just aren?t there this time around. There will be no late season heroics for this Bruin team. It is now time for the Beavs to come through against a poor Bruin team in half-empty Pauley Pavilion.
By Brad A. Banning / Corvallis, Ore.
Be forewarned, I am not a prophet, I just play one in this column. What I?m about to let you in on may throw you for a twist, or even shock you, so settle in, grab a beer, or do whatever it is that you need to do to prepare yourself.
All systems are starting to come around with this team and there will be repercussions throughout the Pac-10, mark my words. This year?s Pacific-10 conference currently ranks last among the big 6 conferences (also known by football fans as the BCS conferences) according to the Sagarin ratings, which leads this columnist to the thought that the surprise team may be the fearless, never-say-die, Oregon State Beavers.
The defense of this beaver team has opponents shooting a horrendous 40.8 percent from the field, and while the beavers are only at 44 percent themselves, recent personal turnarounds by seniors Brian Jackson and Jimmy Haywood as well as freshman star-to-be point guard Lamar Hurd?s extra practice time have the beavers shooting numbers headed north. The recent offensive turnaround can be attributed to the team getting much more comfortable with coach John?s fast-paced offensive style and feeding off of their defense. As any armchair knows, defense wins championships, and while this team is not headed for that label just yet, defense will be the key to their resurgence. Another factor is the overall attitude of the team being tremendously positive, even after tough losses to the Bay area schools, and the rival Ducks. The orange and black knew they were on to something, came home and showed that in their play, and dominated.
The SoCal schools are struggling, and the Beavers are ready to kick them while their down. Mike Bibby?s father is as arrogant as ever and will overlook the Beavers giving OSU basketball a golden opportunity to do what the OSU football team cannot: beat the Trojans on the road.
UCLA head man Steve Lavin?s respirator has been unplugged and athletic director Dan Guerreo will have a replacement in the day the season ends if not sooner. The staple of this squad has been their lackluster, emotion-less play, especially at home with losses to San Diego and Northern Arizona, not to mention exhibition losses to EA Sports and some slugs that go by the name Branch West. The point is this: Lavin has lost this team, his players don?t care and are awaiting next season in the middle of this one. Many are contemplating leaving the team, and although they have the athleticism of years past, their hearts just aren?t there this time around. There will be no late season heroics for this Bruin team. It is now time for the Beavs to come through against a poor Bruin team in half-empty Pauley Pavilion.
By Brad A. Banning / Corvallis, Ore.
