One Play Saturday:

 

Oregon State (-2, play to -3.5) at Georgia - Game #723-724 - 9:00am Pacific

The Beavers come into this game with a 4-2 record and really have only had one bad performance (loss at UNLV) all season long.  They are coming off back to back impressive wins over Portland (went on to win next two games) and Colorado (went on to win at Cal in next game).  Oregon State is doing this despite playing without their leading returning scorer David Lucas (toe, expected to return in 3-4 weeks).  They have also been without last years 6th man, sophomore guard Angelo Tsagarakis, and Iowa transfer forward Nick DeWitz.  Tsagarakis returned to practice a week ago and DeWitz who has potential to be a big time scorer becomes eligible today.  Both players are expected to suit up for the first time this season vs Georgia making this one of the deepest teams in the country.  Even without these players available, the Oregon State bench has outscored its last two opponents 56-9 and starting point guard Lamar Hurd (back spasms) did not even play last game vs Colorado.  Freshman center Sasa Cuic has been a huge surprise for this team.  He is averaging 18.3ppg & 5.5rpg, both team highs.  He has an assortment of offensive moves and a great shooting touch for someone his size.  He needs to improve on the defensive side but is still a great looking player.  Point guard Hurd, senior guard J.S. Nash, junior guard Chris Stephens, and sophomore forward Kyle Jeffers are all solid returning starters.  New Mexico transfer guard Jason Fontenet has been an impact player off the bench providing added quickness and 3-point shooting. 

 

Georgia is not a good basketball team.  Head coach Dennis Felton has opted to take his lumps this year and aim for a strong recruiting class next season.  This team only has 7 scholarship players and all are underclassmen.  Then there are 11 walk-ons, many of which play significant minutes.  The Bulldogs just got by Gardner-Webb 67-62 on Wednesday but trailed most of the game and by as many as 10 in the second half.  Their lone other win this season came over Alabama A&M of the SWAC.  The Bulldogs do not excel in any category.

 

Oregon State already has experience this year making a trip to the east coast and playing in an early game.  In doing so they beat Siena in first round of BCA invitational at NC State.  This will be a homecoming for Beaver reserve forwards Kenny Hooks and Jim Hanchett.  Hooks is from Gulf Port, MS and expects to have 40-50 family members in attendance.  Hanchett also plays on the Beaver football team and oddly enough is from Atlanta, Georgia.  Both players average double figure minutes and will be excited to play here.  This game is being played off campus at the Georgia Dome and it is hard to imagine many Bulldog fans getting out to support this team which minimizes home court advantage.  The Beavers won 6 games in the Pac-10 last year while coming very close in several others.  This year they are much improved and definitely heading in the right direction under head coach Jay John.  Look for the Beavers to take care of business today against a bad Georgia team.

 

Official Play: Oregon State -2  1 UNIT