Men's Basketball

The Wayne Tinkle Era Begins Friday As Beavers Host Rice Owls

by Taylor Hanslovan Follow @thanslovan
Oct 23, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Oregon State junior guard Langston Morris-Walker and head coach Wayne Tinkle laugh during the Pac-12 conference men’s basketball media day at Pac-12 Networks. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports.

The Oregon State Beavers will begin the 2014-15 basketball campaign along with the introduction of the Wayne Tinkle-era on Friday night when the Beavers host the Rice Owls at Gill Coliseum. Tip off is slated for 7:00 p.m.

Oregon State saw its first action of the season in an exhibition against the Western Oregon Wolves on Nov. 7. Overshadowed by the football team’s home loss to Washington State, the Beaver basketball team failed to salvage the pride of Beaver Nation, falling 57-47 to the Division II Wolves.

Similar to Oregon State, The Rice Owls are beginning a new era of their own, as Head Coach Mike Rhoades will also be coaching his first regulation game as the head coach of the Rice program. The Owls kicked off their season with an exhibition win over LeTourneau University (Division III), 82-64.

Rhoades coached under Shaka Smart during Virginia Commonwealth’s unforgettable runs deep into March over the past few years.

Rice returns eight players from last year’s squad, including Wilsonville, Ore. native Seth Gearhart. The Owls set a school record for three -pointers in 2013-14, and will look to continue with a high-tempo, high-scoring attack.

The Beavers are still reeling after their non-conference opening loss and it’s pretty clear this team is currently not in a position to compete for the top of the conference standings. A solid defensive presence and a competitive stat line are about all Beaver fans can expect this early into the Wayne Tinkle-era.