The Barometer Online

Issue date: 11/9/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: David LaChasse Josh Tarver and the Beavers open their season this weekend against the University of Portland.

The Beavers men's basketball team admits that an exhibition game over St.. Martins was nice, but to them, and most fans, that is simply not enough. They expect more.

"A win is good," forward Sasa Cuic said following the victory against the Saints, "but we really want to compete on the next level."

This weekend, the Beavers will get that opportunity as they play host to three teams in the first ever Oregon Rain Invitational to be held in Gill Coliseum.

Cal Poly, Southeastern Louisiana and the University of Portland will travel to Corvallis, each attempting to begin their regular seasons with notches in the win column. The Beavers hope to gain momentum going into their non-conference schedule, which includes games with Nevada and LSU, both ranked in the top 30 nationally.

Much of the Beavers hopes rest on the shoulders of their frontcourt, a group that has been lauded as one of the best in the Pac-10. Cuic, along with teammates Marcel Jones and senior Kyle Jeffers, will be asked to produce the bulk of OSU's offense, at least until the team's young guards get some experience.

"We need Kyle, Sasa and Marcel to play at the level they're capable," coach Jay John said. "If they do, I like our chances in most games."

Cuic is developing into one of the playmakers on a team that John describes as "having no individual stars." Cuic averaged almost 14 points a game last year (a team high) and held the best three-point percentage in the entire league. His ability to be such an inside-outside player is what makes him feared to opposing coaches.

A double team on any of OSU's forwards would likely result in the Beavers needing backcourt production to be successful. Fans will need to learn new names quickly as many of the projected impact guards are freshman. True freshman Seth Tarver, one of the most talked about recruits ever signed by Jay John, figures to be in the mix for considerable playing time. His brother Josh, a redshirt freshman, played the majority of the St.. Martin's win and ended with 14 points and 5 assists.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools