Oregon State basketball’s 4-0 Start Feels Like the Beginning of Something Special
Image courtesy of OSUBeavers.com // Accessed Nov. 18, 2024
In the often-forgotten corners of college basketball, where underdog dreams meet daunting realities, Oregon State men’s basketball is quietly writing a story worth believing in. After years of heartbreak and inconsistency, the Beavers have roared to a 4-0 start, dominating opponents in a way that feels both unexpected and undeniable.
A team that was supposed to take its lumps is instead delivering them. Four wins by 19 points or more. Dominant second halves. Players embracing their roles. This isn’t just a flash in the pan—it’s a foundation.
Rewriting the Script
Head coach Wayne Tinkle didn’t inherit a powerhouse when he took over Oregon State nearly a decade ago. But in this moment, with his job security often questioned, he has assembled a group that looks every bit the part of a program reclaiming its identity.
This isn’t just a team. It’s a collective. Ten players are averaging double-digit minutes, a rarity in college basketball. A healthy rotation speaks volumes about trust—not just from the coach to his players, but among the players themselves.
It shows in how they move the ball. Damarco Minor orchestrates the offense with the kind of selflessness Beaver fans haven’t seen since Gary Payton II. Minor isn’t just the team’s lead guard—he’s the glue. His stat line reads like a wish list for coaches everywhere: 11.3 points, five assists, and three steals per game. But beyond the numbers, it’s his knack for finding teammates in their best spots that has turned Oregon State into a team to be reckoned with.
A Depth Few Saw Coming
The Beavers’ newfound identity is rooted in something they’ve sorely lacked for years: depth. Whether it’s the imposing presence of Parsa Fallah in the post, Nate Kingz lighting it up from range, or a bench loaded with energy and talent, this team can hurt you in so many ways.
Against Cal State Fullerton, they proved their mettle. The first half wasn’t pretty. Fallah struggled to get going, and the Beavers trailed. But then, in a display of maturity and poise, they turned up the heat. Kingz, who had been relatively quiet in previous games, exploded for an unforgettable performance, and bench players like Liutauras Lelevicius and Matthew Marsh made their presence felt.
It’s hard to overstate what this means. Oregon State has always been a program that needed every ounce of effort from its starters to stay competitive. Now, they can rely on a second and third wave of contributors to close the gap—or extend it.
The Matchup That Could Change Everything
Now comes the test. The Ducks. Oregon State vs. Oregon. Thursday night in Gill Coliseum. For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Beavers could start 5-0. The stakes couldn’t be higher—not just for this season, but for the identity of this program moving forward.
As we said on the pod, “These kids don’t even know what a packed Gill feels like.” But they’re about to find out. A matchup against an undefeated Oregon team will be the most anticipated home game in years, and it’s on Beaver Nation to show up and make it special.
This isn’t just about basketball. It’s about reclaiming pride in a program many left for dead. It’s about proving that Oregon State is more than just a baseball school—or worse, a complete afterthought in a rapidly changing college sports landscape.
A Team Worth Falling in Love With
In a business obsessed with departure—whether it’s players entering the portal, fans tuning out, or conferences leaving behind tradition—it’s refreshing to see a team building something worth staying for. Oregon State men’s basketball isn’t just winning games. They’re winning hearts.
So let’s fill Gill. Let’s show this team that their buy-in is met with ours. And let’s remind the Ducks—and the world—that Corvallis isn’t just a stop on someone else’s road to greatness. It’s a destination in its own right.