Pac-12 Basketball: Way-Too-Early Pac-12 Power Rankings

6) Oregon State

2016-2017 Record: 5-27 (1-17, 12^th Pac-12)

Head Coach: Wayne Tinkle, 4^th Season

Departures: Matt Dahlen

Returning Players: Drew Eubanks, Stephen Thompson, Jaquori McClaughlin Kendal Manuel, Gligorije Rakocevic, Ben Kone

Key Additions: Cheikh N’Diaye (Medical Redshirt Senior), Tres Tinkle (Medical Redshirt Sophomore), Kylor Kelley (JUCO Transfer), Ethan Thompson, Alfred Hollins, Zach Reichle

Analysis:

When considering the outlook for this season’s Oregon State, last season’s woes should not be taken too heavily into account. While Oregon State may have been the worst High-Major team in the country, a lot of their struggle was due to injuries.

This season, Cheikh N’Diaye and Tres Tinkle are expected to be back, to join Drew Eubanks, Stephen Thompson, and Jaquori McLaughlin on a talented Beavers squad. Eubanks was an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention last season, and Tinkle could be one of the best players in the conference.

Joining this core of talented players is a solid recruiting class, led by Ethan Thompson, the younger brother of Stephen Thompson. The Beavers will also add a solid JUCO transfer in Kylor Kelley.

If health doesn’t become an issue this season, the Beavers will be a tough team in the Pac-12 this season. They may not be a tournament level team, but this may be our best opportunity to see how well Wayne Tinkle can coach when given the talent.