Nov. 8, 2007

By Fred Huff, Media Coordinator

Oregon State's Beavers are expecting to be a much improved team this season, but it's going to take time for them to prove it . . . like Dec. 8 when the talented 6-11 C. J. Giles becomes eligible after having transferred in from Kansas where he was considered being one of the top young inside players in the nation in 2006.

While creating some excitement in Corvallis this season, head coach Jay John will have to make-do with the eligibles until Giles joins his teammates-to-be. That means returning starters Marcel Jones and Josh Tarver will have major responsibilities during the early weeks of the season and when the Beavers are hoping to get off to a decent start at the BP Top of the World Classic in Fairbanks in mid-November.

Last season: The Beavers won just 11 of 21 games and forced to settle for a 3-15 mark in Pac-10 Conference play. That was only enough for a ninth-place finish in the rugged league which is expected to be even tougher this season. Of Oregon State's 11 wins, eight were in the early weeks of the season and hardly prepared the Beavers for the difficult road ahead.

Key personnel losses: Three starters -- Sasa Cuic (23 in 29 games), Kyle Jeffers (30 in 32) and Wesley Washington (22 in 30) -- have departed. Cuic was the team's second-leading scorer with an 11.6 ppg average while Jeffers was No. 4 with a 6.8 and Washington fifth with a 6.1 mark. Perhaps even more meaningful is the fact that Jeffers was the club's most productive rebounder as he averaged 5.8 boards a game.

Key returning players: Marcel Jones and Josh Tarver will undoubtedly provide the Beavers with a classy duo to build around this season. Jones was the team's leading scorer last season when he started every game, averaged 15.3 points per game, grabbed 5.7 rebounds per game and connected on .451 percent of his overall field goal attempts. His only weakness a year ago seemed to be at the line where he was successful on only slightly more than one-half of his attempts . . . 57 of 105 (.543). Tarver, while not quite as productive as his teammate, nevertheless, saw more action as he rarely went to the bench. He was on the court an average of 33.2 minutes per game while averaging 9.2 ppg and was the team's assist leader by far with 123 while also being credited with 40 steals. Oregon State's number six and seven scoring leaders -- Jack McGillis (5.7) and Roelan Schaftenaar (3.2) are also returning for the Beavers.

Key newcomers: Unquestionably C.J. Giles will be providing Oregon State with a major lift this season, but it won't be happening until after the Top of the World Classic. Giles, a transfer from Kansas, will not be eligible until early December. Until that happening, top newcomers to the program are expected to be Sean Carter, a late signee from North Carolina, juco Rickey Claitt and Michael Stovall, a 6-5, 200-pounder who was rated as one of the top seniors in basketball-rich Illinois. Also among the new faces on the squad are Calvin Haynes and Omari Johnson. Both are freshmen.

What the experts are saying: The Blue Ribbon Yearbook said: "Here's the problem: Oregon State could have one of the top 80 teams in the country this season and still finish eighth in the Pac-10. Six league teams are ranked among Blue Ribbon's preseason Top 25. It's a pretty rough neighborhood. Still, the Beavers will have a shot at postseason play. Once Giles settles in, come February, Oregon State will be worthy of an NIT invitation." Unfortunately -- or fortunately for this year's field at Fairbanks -- that will be well after the 12th annual TOWC tournament is concluded.