Future Pac-12 members Oregon State and Gonzaga face off in a WCC matchup. Can the Beavers pull off the upset?
TV schedule: Thursday, January 16th, 11 pm ET. CBSSN
Arena: Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Oregon
With two newcomers to the WCC this season (Oregon State and Washington State), it would be interesting to see where they place. Both are in the top half of the conference standings, but the more significant challenge is whether they can beat WCC heavyweight, Gonzaga. (14-4, 5-0).
The Bulldogs took care of Wazzu last weekend, winning 88-75. Graham Ike had 21 points on 8/11 FG, while Nolan Hickman went for a season-high 19 points, making 5/8 from deep. Gonzaga is one of two teams in the country with six double-digit scorers, leading the WCC with 87.4 ppg.
For Oregon State (13-5, 3-2), its strength is on defense. They’re a top-20 team in terms of points allowed at 63.2 ppg, though they’re also competent on offense. They’re led by forward Michael Rataj (16.6 ppg and 8.5 rpg), while big man Para Fallah (12.3 ppg) and guard Nate Kingz (11.4 ppg) are also double-digit scorers. Point guard Damarco Minor (9.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.4 apg) is also one of the most critical players in the conference.
The Beavers have road losses to Santa Clara and LMU but are coming off a road win at Pacific, 91-55. But they’re at home against the Bulldogs, a team whose defense has looked vulnerable in league play.
This may come down to the frontcourt matchup of Ike and Ben Gregg of Gonzaga vs Fallah and Rataj for the Beavers. If Oregon State can’t win the inside battle, it’s going to be hard for them to win, even on the road. But if their defense can slow Gonzaga down enough, it may be worth staying up late for.
Prediction: Gonzaga 80, Oregon State 74