What The Preseason Magazines Are Saying

Athlon and Lindy's College Basketball Preview magazines are on the shelves and both have high expectations for Oregon State heading into the 2015-16 season. Here are some quick hitters as the Beavers prepare for the second year of the Wayne Tinkle era:

Team Quick Hitters

From Athlon: “There's a renewed optimism around Oregon State basketball, and for good reason.”
From Lindy's: “It would have been difficult to realistically imagine a better start to the Wayne Tinkle era than what Oregon State was able to accomplish last season.”
Both magazines pick Oregon State to finish sixth in the Pac-12. The Beavers finished seventh in the league last season with an 8-10 conference mark.
Athlon picks Oregon State to make the NCAA Tournament as the No. 11 seed and face Louisville in a first-round matchup in the South Region.
Lindy's lists Oregon State's recruiting class as the 17^th best in the nation.
Final analysis from Athlon: “Obviously, expectations are high for Oregon State, both inside and outside the program. The Beavers have already bought into a feisty defensive philosophy. Now, they've added natural scorers who should help alleviate the team's extended offensive droughts. Still, Tinkle has preached that, even with these talented newcomers, it could take some time for this team to develop chemistry. The coach is confident, though, that the Beavers are in a better position to finish strong because of the added depth. Tinkle hopes that it all leads to the Beavers snapping a 25-year March Madness drought.”
Overview from Lindy's: “Given how much Tinkle got out of the team last season, it's not unreasonable to think the Beavers can win 20 games this year. They have a strong returning nucleus led by Payton II and Duvivier, a talented batch of freshmen who should bolster the team's offensive arsenal, and enough size and depth in the post to match up defensively with most teams in the Pac-12. Gill Coliseum will not be a fun trip for opposing teams in 2015-16.”

Players Quick Hitters

Athlon on Daniel Gomis: “Gomis' decision to return to the Beavers rather than step away from basketball to pursue other opportunities after graduating this spring provides a big lift.”
Lindy's on Langston Morris-Walker: “Morris-Walker provides a long, athletic presence on both ends of the floor.”
Athlon on Jarmal Reid: “Reid has earned praise from Tinkle because of the way he's transformed his body to become more athletic during the offseason.”
Lindy's on Malcolm Duvivier: “Duvivier gives the Beavers an experienced duo in the backcourt” with Gary Payton II.
From Athlon: “Oregon State's long list of potential impact newcomers starts with Tres Tinkle. He boasts length and versatility to shoot from the perimeter or finish at the basket while playing the 3 or 4.”
Athlon on Stephen Thompson Jr.: “He was a top-50 overall national recruit because of his deadly outside jumper and ability to finish in the paint.”
Lindy's names Thompson Jr. the “Best Playmaker/Passer” of the newcomers in the Pac-12.
Athlon on Derrick Bruce: “He can push the tempo and play lockdown perimeter defense."
Lindy's on Drew Eubanks: “Eubanks may prove to be the surprise in the group via his near-spectacular running and jumping ability. He'll eventually be one of the Pac-12's best shot blockers, rebounders and dunkers.”

Gary Payton II Quick Hitters

Payton II was named a preseason Second Team All-American by Athlon.
Payton II was selected to the All-Senior Second Team by Athlon.
Athlon selected Payton II as its Pac-12 Player of the Year. It also picked him to earn Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second straight season.
Lindy's selected Payton II to its All-Pac-12 First Team and to be named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Payton II is listed as the No. 1 “Slasher” in the country according to Athlon.
Lindy's lists Payton II as the 10^th best point guard in the country.
From Athlon: “He continues to work on his shot and ball handling, two qualities that will help him develop into a pro.”
From Lindy's: “He returns for his senior season with a chance to further the family legacy established by his NBA Hall of Fame father.”

New Rules Primer (changes for the upcoming season as listed by Athlon)

The shot clock will be reduced to 30 seconds from 35.
Teams will be able to carry only three timeouts into the second half, down from four.
Coaches can no longer call timeouts while the ball is live.
Players have a total of 10 seconds to advance the ball to midcourt (clock does not reset after a stoppage).
The restricted-area arc was moved to four feet under the basket from three feet.
Officials can issue a delay-of-game warning and a one-shot technical foul if teams do not resume play quickly enough out of a timeout.
Teams only have 15 seconds to replace a disqualified player, down from 20 seconds.
The five-second closely guarded rule while dribbling the ball has been eliminated.
Class B technical fouls - such as hanging on the rim and delaying play - are one-shot technicals rather than two.
Officials can use video review on potential shot clock violations for the entire game.
Media timeout procedures will allow a timeout to be called within 30 seconds of the breaks at 16, 12, eight and four minutes. Any timeout after the scheduled timeout becomes the media timeout.
The ban on dunking during pregame warm-ups and halftime has been lifted.

For a $25 deposit fans can secure new season tickets by visiting this link or calling 800-GO-BEAVS. Far West Classic Invite tickets will be included for all Oregon State men's basketball season ticket holders, giving fans a total of 18 games to watch in Corvallis and Portland during the 2015-16 season (including an exhibition game).

Click on this link to learn more about Oregon State's 2015-16 schedule with notes about non-conference and Pac-12 matchups.

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