Spring Break
After rough year, men look to build in offseason
Oregon State won just three Pac-10 games this year, but looks forward to returning four starters
Frank Hoaglin
Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: Sports
Heading into an off season of strength and conditioning, the Beavers look to build on a season in which eight losses were decided by five points or less.
"This season, we had a lot of games where we were close at halftime," said freshman forward Roeland Schaftenaar. "And we couldn't finish the game in the second half. That was our major problem, but it should be a lot better next year with more experience."
Marcel Jones, in his junior year, emerged as the go-to guy in the Beaver offense. He led the team with 15 points per game, including a career conference high of 29 points in a three-point loss to Cal early in the schedule, and 21 in the opening round loss of the Pac-10 tournament. Heading into his senior season, Jones looks to come back stronger in a key role for the Beavers.
"Obviously it is a team sport," he said. "We need effort from everybody. Hopefully I can improve my game over the Summer, fine-tune some things, and come back stronger for next season."
Head coach Jay John has scheduled a six game trip to Italy to play against club teams in August, an opportunity for the Beavers to build some team chemistry before the regular season begins.
"We have a mini season there," said John. "Those are six opportunities for the team to get together with a competitive situation with consequences for not playing hard."
"I think we definitely have the talent to do big things next year," added Tsagarakis. "If we win the games we lost by three points, the one or two possession games that truly hurt our record at the end of the year, it could be a different season, and after that, after we build up confidence, greater things and better things can happen."
"This season, we had a lot of games where we were close at halftime," said freshman forward Roeland Schaftenaar. "And we couldn't finish the game in the second half. That was our major problem, but it should be a lot better next year with more experience."
Marcel Jones, in his junior year, emerged as the go-to guy in the Beaver offense. He led the team with 15 points per game, including a career conference high of 29 points in a three-point loss to Cal early in the schedule, and 21 in the opening round loss of the Pac-10 tournament. Heading into his senior season, Jones looks to come back stronger in a key role for the Beavers.
"Obviously it is a team sport," he said. "We need effort from everybody. Hopefully I can improve my game over the Summer, fine-tune some things, and come back stronger for next season."
Head coach Jay John has scheduled a six game trip to Italy to play against club teams in August, an opportunity for the Beavers to build some team chemistry before the regular season begins.
"We have a mini season there," said John. "Those are six opportunities for the team to get together with a competitive situation with consequences for not playing hard."
"I think we definitely have the talent to do big things next year," added Tsagarakis. "If we win the games we lost by three points, the one or two possession games that truly hurt our record at the end of the year, it could be a different season, and after that, after we build up confidence, greater things and better things can happen."
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