SB Nation User Blog: rvm

State of the Basketball Nation?

rvm — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:22:15 -0000

I don't know if many people were able to watch last night's basketball game over the web feed, but it wasn't a good result to say the least. The Beavs went down 61 to 63 to the then 1 and 6 UIC (Ill. Chicago) Flames in the last seconds of the game. The Beavs shot almost 55% from the field and were additionally 4-12 from 3 point land, and also shot a fairly impressive 75% from the free throw line. BUT some very uninspired and sloppy play on the Beavs part doomed the effort. Mr. Robo Cop (Robo Kreps) seems like a pretty good player, but the Beavs let him have way too many open looks, and too many of those looks were close to the rim. This will not do when the team starts to play deeper teams such as those found in the Pac-10.

Yes, yes I know the Pac is down this year and all, but this performance was not inspiring at all as the Beavs go into their last two games before traveling to the Washington schools to start conference play. I know this all seems a bit bleak on my part, so let's chalk it up to being too close to that loss last night, for I really think this team can be a good one, but...

My continued thoughts and more game numbers after the break.

For me personally there were three big things that stood out in that game:

1. The last seconds of the game and the incredibly dumb and uninspired play by the players to even get the ball inbounded. I think there were like five to three seconds left so I wasn't expecting for the miracle shot to go in, but expected them to at least get it in and a look at the hoop. And to have it stolen not once but twice, sigh. The team needs to light a fire now, for this type of play is not what postseason teams are made of.

2. I think it was about midway through the second half and UIC looked to be on their heels and the Beavs had caught up finally and were slowing pulling away, but they couldn't put the hammer down and take control. The team did this a lot last year too but they also improved their play by 1000% from the year before and I was okay with it last season, but this year's team needs to figure this out.

3. The freshman, Burton, Cunningham, and Brandt, all look to have some good talent, but Burton looks like a player who has had his way against smaller players at the high school level and now is finding himself constantly getting into out of position foul problems. Cunningham seems to now be getting limited play and I'm not quite sure why. Brandt looks to have a pretty big learning curve ahead of him. These three though need to mature fairly quickly, in my opinion, for this team to step it up and I think they have the potential for we have seen glimpses of it for all three.

Overall this team has a lot of talent, and personally I was not all that rah-rah about the Big Dance for I thought that was a bit much, but I liked the expectations. I thought the NIT and a solid fourth (maybe third) place conference finish would be the upper goal for the season, but now I'm concerned this team won't get it together and will be digging themselves out of a nasty hole all season long. Indeed their play so far has not looked, for the most part, even like any type of postseason caliber.

I think at the same time there is enough possible veteran leadership on this team to complement the younger raw talent, and put this along side a very good coach I feel this team still can get it going and make a nice conference run this year. But I also worry that time is running down on getting some sort of inspired team identity in place before what will be a difficult opening road conference trip.

Thoughts? Counter arguments to make me feel better?

Here are the game numbers:

Oregon St.

Name FG 3Pt FT PF Pts

Angus Brandt 0-0 0-0 0-0 2 0

Joe Burton 1-5 0-0 0-0 2 2

Jared Cunningham 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0

Daniel Deane 2-2 0-0 2-4 1 6

Calvin Haynes 6-10 3-6 0-0 2 15

Omari Johnson 0-1 0-1 4-4 1 4

Roeland Schaftenaar 3-6 0-1 1-1 3 7

Josh Tarver 2-3 0-0 2-2 1 6

Seth Tarver 8-12 1-3 0-1 1 17

Lathen Wallace 2-4 0-1 0-0 5 4

Totals 24-44 4-12 9-12 19 61

Percentages: .545 .333 .750

Ill. Chicago

Name FG 3Pt FT PF Pts

Brad Birton 3-4 0-0 2-3 2 8

Chris Buchanan 1-3 0-2 2-3 1 4

Jeremy Buttell 3-7 0-1 2-3 4 8

Corey Gray 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0

Louis Green 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0

Anthony Kelley 0-1 0-1 0-0 1 0

Robo Kreps 7-13 4-10 1-1 1 19

Zavion Neely 5-9 0-1 3-4 0 13

K.C. Robbins 1-4 0-0 0-0 3 2

Spencer Stewart 3-6 3-6 0-0 1 9

Totals 23-47 7-21 10-14 14 63

Percentages: .489 .333 .714

Poll

In your opinion (gut feeling?) where do you think this team is at and where are they going this season? This is not a scientific deal for sure, just your feelings right now, for like me I'm sure you will feel different at various times this season!

Hey, finally have some marketing that makes sense on this blog! First time I can remember a non-UO...

rvm — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:10:15 -0000

Hey, finally have some marketing that makes sense on this blog! First time I can remember a non-UO or UW merchandising ad on our blog!

Must be all the press of late, sigh...

Civil War Memories: Updated for 2009, sigh...

rvm — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:34:47 -0000

Warning non-football analyst and football fan only thoughts to follow:

In some of my previous comments I went on lyrically about how there is this fog of mystery that lingers around this Riley football program, which just never quite seems to lift; and I also heavily implied that I had a good feeling we were going to win this game and finally go to the Rose Bowl. Now that the game is done and we sitting with yet another L, and for the second year coming up short, I have to say I was a bit wrong about both.

First, that fog. Sure it hasn't lifted for me and I'm not sure yet this program has reached "elite" Pac-10 status, but at the same time this game did clear some of it for me. After watching that gutty and skilled performance I believe that this program is indeed another step closer. Now a good question here is: Well, maybe, but don't we always seem to say this after a bittersweet loss with Riley's teams? I think this is a good question, and leads into why I'm not as disappointed as I thought I would be and really relates to the second point I made before the game.

Second, that "good" feeling. Okay so I was wrong, the team did not win, but I tell you what if Canfield gets the ball back with any reasonable amount of time, and I'm talking anything more than 45 seconds. Exaggeration? Just take a look at that drive at the end of the half to get an idea why I'm so confident. And if the Beavs are only down 4 or 8 points, which looked possible, he is driving the team to a winning or tying score. The Beavs played on the big stage and they showed up, sure it wasn't perfect otherwise we fans would be booking Pasadena travel plans right now, but they were as good as the Ducks were and it came down to the team that was able to have the ball in their hands at the very end. I think the future is bright.

My more specific game thoughts after the break.

So, some game impressions. I said this in a comment I posted after coming back, but I want to applaud the Duck fans and team. I was able to see a lot the Yellow and Green up close and personal at Autzen, and have to say I was treated with respect, even with the grief some people gave me, and came away with an added bit of respect on my own. That said this is really going to be about the Orange and Black so let me also say, and in no way this is meant as a dig at the Autzen crowd just the complete opposite, that we in Beaver Nation complain all the time about not filling Reser and that Autzen is always full and loud, but I have to say the amount of energy and noise Reser puts out even with our non-sell outs is not that much behind Autzen. The State of Oregon is fast becoming, if not already, a place where I think opposing Pac-10 teams are going to have a tough time playing football.

Offense = Wow, Canfield looked amazing out there. During and after the game I kept hearing how Duck fans, and the UO coaches, were mighty impressed by Sean and you know what, I totally agree with you all "he's the real deal" (Chip Kelly). Sure the O-line gave up some key sacks and had a bunch of false starts, but wow none of those rattled Sean at all. He looked, well professional. I have to admit I could not even picture this as the same QB we had with the happy nervous feet at the beginning of the season. As noted the O-line gave up some plays, but I want to give them big time props too for that was a very hostile road environment, and a pretty darn good pass defense, and the majority of the game they gave Canfield more than enough time to pick the secondary apart.

Receiving and James Rodgers, he sure looked like he has become a big time receiver, and he was making some incredible catches on those laser darts Canfield was throwing. Along with Wheaton and the glimpses of possible greatness we are seeing with him, and with whoever the next out of nowhere receiver that steps up next year, and with the TE situation looking bright in Halahuni, I honestly believe this could be the best receiver group in the Pac-10 next year.

Quizz, sure he didn't have a ton of yards rushing, but wow did he bring it to the game, and remember that he did seven receptions for 76 yards so he had almost 150 all purpose yards. My wife, attending her first OSU football game, was saying stuff all the time like "He never goes down," "He's still going!" "He just never takes a break from playing does he?" Now she understands! The UO defense played him tough and he didn't get many carries because of Canfield's success, but I think Duck fans should now understand the test they'll get the next couple years.

Defense = Okay, sure they gave up some big plays and were missing some tackles that if made would have made that result a bit different, BUT they also played in position (for the most part) and played disciplined (for the most part). And you know what, they held one of the best offenses in the country to 37 points. They kept the team in it. The Ducks had a chance to put a big time hurt on the team in that first quarter and the defense held. Again in the fourth quarter the Ducks were driving and had a chance to put a little more space on the Beavs but the defense bent and didn't break and held them to a FG. I fully expect the defense to be even better next year.

Special teams = They always the last thought aren't they? But Hekker was fine in some cold and loud conditions, could've been better sure but did his job well enough. Kahut was lights out, and man I wish it could've come down to a FG to win it for you just had to know he would have nailed it. Coverage was great too, and the one bad return was called back anyway because of two holding calls, which makes you then think that was good coverage too.

So, my concluding thoughts, if you have got this far, that was a gutsy game. Seeing Tim Clark break his leg and be in that pain but be carted off with head up high like he did just showed the heart of this team I thought. Going for it on fourth down and long? Sure seemed like a FG there would have been a good deal, but you know we all have over the years criticized Riley for being too conservative and here he was for the championship going Bill Belichick on us and saying let's win it here, I can't complain. I'm proud of the heart shown last night, but I'm excited about the possibilities. There was a lot of skill shown last night against a very skilled team.

The mystery fog hasn't lifted completely, but I'm seeing some more stuff through it that is making me look forward to getting to the destination.

Go Beavs!

Barack Obama Basketball PHOTOS: Obama Family Attends Oregon State-George Washington Game

rvm — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:17:25 -0000

Barack Obama Basketball PHOTOS: Obama Family Attends Oregon State-George Washington Game

President Obama attended today's Oregon State-George Washington University basketball game to cheer on his brother-in-law, Beavers coach Craig Robinson. The first lady, Malia and Sasha Obama, and President Obama's mother-in-law Marian Robinson were in attendance as well. According to the AP, the family was "intensely interested in the outcome." All of the cheering paid off, as Oregon State won, 64-57. Below, see photos of the Obamas rooting for the Beavers.

Civil War Memories (some Good Ol' Time smack talk)

rvm — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:52:09 -0000

Hmm, is it that time of the year again? Am I hearing the drums of hyperbole and unintended oxymorons in many people's reasoning? Oh, yes, I suppose I heard there is some game this Thursday.

Okay, seriously (although I was seriously tempted to call this post "The Fun Czar Strikes Back," okay not really), I wanted to take a moment and look back at some of the recent Civil War games (the good ones!).

I welcome other people's memories of the previous games between OSU and UO, yes even you UO fans, and what do you remember most? I also included a poll of games since 1998.

RVM's memories, yes I had to dig deep into what's left of my short to mid-term memory on some of these, are after the break, oh and a special good ol' time bit of smack I dug up from my archive file.

1998: What can one say about this one? I actually was on the road helping my brother with a move to Portland and we were burned out and got to some pub that had the game on, and I was like wow, what the hell, this is a competitive game. We had to get home, so headed out 99W in the Tercel wagon and turned the game on the radio for the rest of the drive back. That was some game, even on the radio, and have to admit turned me back to OSU football, for I had about enough the previous three last place seasons. Oh, and some guy ran in the winning TD, who was that player...

2000: Ah, yes this game was surreal for me. First, I had a Saturday workshop I had to attend that morning, and guess where it was? Yep, the UO campus, so I wore my Beavs cap for good measure and lived. But what I remember most was just watching that game in a surreal haze (and no drinks were involved), I was like wow this is a really good team in a a big time State of Oregon Civil War game. That was a REALLY good Oregon State Beavers football team. Did we smack Joey around in this one or what?

2001: Okay, so we lost this one and it was a terrible let down, SI Cover curse, season. But this rain game was oh so close to being a spoiler one for the Beavs, we had the Ducks on the ropes at times and again Joey just didn't seem to match up well against the DE defense. But alas one spectacular punt return sealed the deal for the Ducks, but that was damn good UO team and I'm still a proud about taking it to them a bit, at Autzen, during a disappointing season.

2002: Hmm, I have to admit I don't remember much about this game! Besides Anderson and Jackson going to town, and I still scratch my head over why those two couldn't do this again the next year in Eugene, hmm, yep I have no idea why I can't remember much from this one! It was a very good OSU win. Hope someone can fill in the memory gaps for me!

2004: What the heck was this game? Another surreal experience for me, I totally thought we played the lights out, but at the same time couldn't believe how poorly the UO team played and just seemed to not get any breaks in this game. I remember there was this one wide open missed catch by a UO receiver and I was just thinking, dang, we're going to win this easily. Always a good feeling, but yes the favor was returned the next year.

2006: This was a great game and I was actually impressed how the Ducks just kept coming at the Beavs in this one. It maybe made it a bit closer than I would've really liked, but wow when Matt Moore went all "John Elway" on us and took the team down for that last score and then getting the pressure on that UO kick just made for a classic. Oh, and some player named Serna got to win the game, you remember him, the guy who played against LSU in 2004, yep, how sweet to have it come down to his foot to win it for the Beavs.

2007: Yes! Finally the Autzen monkey off our backs! I don't give a darn what people say about who was and who wasn't playing for each team, this was another great game. I think the Duck fans do a disservice to the skill level of their team when they whine about who played for them that game (look at the Sun Bowl smack down you all had on USF). There was a lot of heart showed on both sides that evening. My best/worse personal memory: I actually was too stressed out and pacing at the end, especially during the OT, so much so I actually missed James' score! Way it goes, good win.

2009: ? First CW game for me to attend in a long time and I can't explain it, but as the Beatles sung: "I've got a feeling, a feeling deep inside..." We'll see though won't we? Going to be a tough tough tough (yep three toughs are about right) game, and I'm not putting the savings up against the odds or anything, and anyway I'm thinking I'll need them for a New Year's trip to Pasadena.

Go Beavs!

Poll

What was your favorite OSU Civil War win?

1998: The one that got us where we are today

42 votes

2000: To date the biggest CW game ever

23 votes

2002: A nice DE, DA, SJ smackdown

3 votes

2004: 50 points can't be sneezed at

1 votes

2006: A classic all the way around within a classic season

2 votes

2007: Finally a W in Autzen!

26 votes

2009: It is OSU's time!

25 votes

Other (discuss your choice in the comments)

5 votes

127 votes | Poll has closed

Rose Bowl scenarios

rvm — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:07:07 -0000

Rose Bowl scenarios

Take it to the Cal crowd to make my mind spin out of control in all its statistically probability (if that is even a grammatically sound sentence), but they have broken down the scenarios for the Rose Bowl this year.

Now I dare anyone out there to test the validity and reliability of all this post has put forward!

OSU Beavers toolbar

rvm — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:31:55 -0000

OSU Beavers toolbar

Okay all you fellow geeks here is your replacement for your other non-Beaver Nation toolbars!

Quick Impressions from the Cincinnati Game

rvm — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:51:12 -0000

Well that wasn't the best result for what was really the first home game of the year was it?

Being at the game here are my brief impressions, and I'm sure BtD will discuss this game in more detail later this week,

First, I thought the crowd was there for the team and was pretty loud when Cincy had the ball. A good number of false starts can be attributed to the crowd noise. And for the safety I really felt the crowd and defense fed off of each other.

Defense, I felt the D actually played well, especially considering the team they were playing. The defense held Cincinnati to 28 points total and only a TD in the second half, setting up the offense to win it (but alas, see below). I think the main problem was defensive penetration for the QB had a lot of time to throw and this put a ton of pressure on the corners who had to deal with some excellent throws. It is tough though and seeing the spread offense in person you can see how it poses such an issue for our up-front defensive line and linebackers.

Offense, hmm they sure looked ready to take control of this game and then went flat with those stupid penalties, and Cincinnati figured something out and put a lot of pressure on Canfield. Have to admit Canfield has underwhelmed me so far this year, sure he looked fine against PSU but that was PSU. He needs to release the ball quicker and with more confidence, needs to get the balls down so the receivers don't have to leave their feet so much, and needs to stop looking so much for the Rodgers brothers. The Rodgers brothers are great, no mistaking, but the team does need to look beyond them if this team is going to do anything this year. I think I argued a little in a previous thread about we need them as the to go to guys, but this game it seemed overkill and looked to me that Cincy had them keyed in on and didn't have to worry about anyone else (Cincinnati is not bad on defense by-the-way). We need to expand the field and get Canfield to throw quicker, give him a bit more time (if he gets sacked once he gets jumpy), and start throwing beyond 10 yards. I again think this offense has a lot of talent (unlike what some of the fans I sat around seem to think) but we need to start getting them involved.

Special teams, well besides Cincinnati never kicking the ball to James it was a solid special teams afternoon. Hekker has improved over last year a lot. And the FGs were true all the way from the contact, and Kahut had no problem with the PAT.

Overall, it was not a season ending game by any means but it was disappointing, and there are still a good number of issues to get worked out going into the Pac-10 season. Arizona is a good first conference game, I think, for we have them at home and they are struggling, but once that game happens (a must win conference game IMO) it gets very hard. The conference could well be up for grabs but that also means going to be a lot of tough games this year, maybe no gimmes (except for WSU, but how about them Cougs! I take pride in calling that one!).

Go Beavs!

2009 Gameday Central

rvm — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:25:14 -0000

2009 Gameday Central

Here is where you can access audio, video, GameTracker, and other stuff about the UNLV game online. I don't know right now if you have to pay for the audio and video access, but a nice resource page overall for the game.

Faster, healthier Jacquizz Rodgers ready to lead Oregon State

rvm — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:31:12 -0000

Faster, healthier Jacquizz Rodgers ready to lead Oregon State

More SI on OSU!

Oregon St.
Name	FG	3Pt	FT	PF	Pts
Angus Brandt	0-0	0-0	0-0	2	0
Joe Burton	1-5	0-0	0-0	2	2
Jared Cunningham	0-1	0-0	0-0	1	0
Daniel Deane	2-2	0-0	2-4	1	6
Calvin Haynes	6-10	3-6	0-0	2	15
Omari Johnson	0-1	0-1	4-4	1	4
Roeland Schaftenaar	3-6	0-1	1-1	3	7
Josh Tarver	2-3	0-0	2-2	1	6
Seth Tarver	8-12	1-3	0-1	1	17
Lathen Wallace	2-4	0-1	0-0	5	4

Totals	24-44	4-12	9-12	19	61
Percentages:	.545	.333	.750

Ill. Chicago
Name	FG	3Pt	FT	PF	Pts
Brad Birton	3-4	0-0	2-3	2	8
Chris Buchanan	1-3	0-2	2-3	1	4
Jeremy Buttell	3-7	0-1	2-3	4	8
Corey Gray	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0
Louis Green	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	0
Anthony Kelley	0-1	0-1	0-0	1	0
Robo Kreps	7-13	4-10	1-1	1	19
Zavion Neely	5-9	0-1	3-4	0	13
K.C. Robbins	1-4	0-0	0-0	3	2
Spencer Stewart	3-6	3-6	0-0	1	9

Totals	23-47	7-21	10-14	14	63
Percentages:	.489	.333	.714