Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

#116 Oregon State Beavers

Pac 10

 2003-04: 12-16, 6-12, 9^th

2003-04 postseason: none

By Joel Welser

The Beavers return all five starters and 11 lettermen from last years squad.  Jay John’s team only went 6-12 and missed out on the Pac 10 tourney, but they showed some promise.  Oregon State was a young team last year and another year of experience should help them out immensely.  Senior starter Jim Hanchett will be gone for part of the season though.  He has decided to play football for the Beavers and will join the hoops team at the conclusion of the football season.  Losing Hanchett for the beginning of the season isn’t good, but he will be classified as a walk-on for basketball, which frees up a scholarship.

Who’s Out: Kevin Fields is transferring to Portland.  The 6-10 center averaged less then five minutes per game in his 18 appearances. 

Who’s In: The only true newcomer is Marcel Jones.  The 6-8 freshman should see some minutes off the bench.  Jones has good range on his outside shot and can score in the paint.  Jason Fontenet, a transfer from New Mexico, will make an immediate impact for his new club.  Fontenet averaged 12.2 points and four assists per game for New Mexico in 2003-2004.  Nick DeWitz is eligible to play at mid-season.  DeWitz transferred from Iowa after having academic problems.  Liam Hughes, who sat out last year as a redshirt freshman, should see some playing time.  Hughes is 7-2 and 293 pounds.  He is rough around the edges but is a hard worker who, at that height, has endless potential.

Who to Watch: Three years ago David Lucas was a walk-on who played only 29 minutes total in the 2001-2002 campaign.  Last year he averaged over 29 minutes per game and scored over 17 points per outing.  The 6-7 forward should have those lofty numbers once again.  Lucas scored over 20 points in 10 of 12 consecutive games late last season.  If he continues that form he could be a dominate force in the Pac 10.

Projected Conference Rank: The Beavers are better then last year, but so is everybody else towards the bottom of the conference.  Oregon State is going to have to fight hard to get into the Pac 10 tournament, but may end up just short again in 9^th place.

Projected Post-season Tournament: none

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