Pac-12 Basketball: Biggest question for each team entering 2020-21 season

Oregon State – How do the Beavers replace Tres Tinkle?

How does one go about replacing the best player a program has seen over the last 30 years? Especially one who ranked first or second in almost every major statistical category on his team last season.

That is what Oregon State and head coach Wayne Tinkle must do now that his son Tres has graduated. The Beavers finished last year 18-13 but just 7-11 in the Pac-12 and now must not only replace Tinkle but also the team’s best defensive player Kylor Kelley.

Doing so will be a team effort and a lot of that production is likely to fall on the shoulders of seniors Ethan Thompson and Zach Reichle, the team’s top two returning players in points, rebounds, and assists. But, a key addition to this year’s team that could make an immediate impact for the Beavers is 6’5 shooting guard Tariq Silver.

Silver comes to Oregon State after spending last season at Tallahassee Community College where he averaged 12 points and four rebounds while showing some touch from the outside, knocking down over 45% from deep. If Silver can come in and contribute after being considered a top-20 player in the Junior College ranks last season, it will certainly help, but replacing a player like Tinkle is never easy.