The Oregon State Beavers men’s basketball team is doing what many analysts deemed improbable. Pundits picked OSU to finish last in the Pac-12 during the pre-season, but tonight is there chance to prove everyone wrong and beat Houston in their Elite 8 match up. If they win, it would be the Beavers’ first Final Four appearance since 1963.
Can they really do this?
Some fans might worry watching the first half of their 65-58 win over Loyola Chicago over the weekend. The defensive play was stellar but OSU went almost eight minutes without making a field goal. This is something they will definitely have to correct tonight vs. Houston. The Cougars were able to blow out Syracuse, 62-46 in their Saturday game. UH held a 10 point lead going into the 2nd half.
Consider how far Oregon State has come up till this point.
Back in December, they lost to a putrid Portland Pilots team 87-86 in overtime.
It was at that point many fans called for the university to move on from head coach Wayne Tinkle and try a different route. Despite the embarrassing loss, the Beavers were able to hold ground and win a cluster of games near the end of the regular season.
If Oregon State can continue their Cinderella run to a Final Four appearance, it will not only be considered the greatest run in Pac-12/10 history, but could be remembered in college basketball lore for years to come.
