Viewer - Live chat: Talk Beavers basketball, baseball with John Hunt at 11 a.m.

Live chat: Talk Beavers basketball, baseball with John Hunt at 11 a.m.

Tuesday February 19, 2013

10:58

The Oregonian:

Hello and welcome to The Oregonian's live chat with John Hunt. Bring your Beavers questions and we'll get going soon.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 10:58 The Oregonian

10:59

The Oregonian:

So, John, does the dashboard of your live chat look a little different?

Tuesday February 19, 2013 10:59 The Oregonian

10:59

John Hunt:

I went with the "classic console." I'm fine with it.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 10:59 John Hunt

11:00

The Oregonian:

Good call. All right everyone. We're here. I know you have questions. Let's roll.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:00 The Oregonian

11:00

John Hunt:

Hi, everybody! Craig Robinson is still the coach, by the way...

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:00 John Hunt

11:01

The Oregonian:

John, what's up with Beavers' men's basketball, besides the critical question you just answered?

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:01 The Oregonian

11:01

The Oregonian:

We also can talk baseball, and maybe even a little football. I'm especially curious about which Beavers will have NFL pro days.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:01 The Oregonian

11:03

John Hunt:

Well, I think you're seeing a team that isn't strong on defense, that never has completely clicked on offense without Angus Brandt and with some offensively challenged youngsters, and some faulty late-game execution. It's a team that has been in every game (8 halftime leads) but comes up short in the second half.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:03 John Hunt

11:03

The Oregonian:

Eight halftime leads? Ouch.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:03 The Oregonian

11:03

The Oregonian:

Conversely, what's up with baseball?

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:03 The Oregonian

11:04

The Oregonian:

(And there's a chance this could be The. Shortest. Chat. Ever.)

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:04 The Oregonian

11:05

John Hunt:

Baseball is 4-0. The Beavers weathered some early injuries, to Ryan Barnes and to the pitching staff, and took care of business down in Palm Springs. They also beat one of college baseball's better pitchers in Gonzaga's Marco Gonzales.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:05 John Hunt

11:05

The Oregonian:

And, will there be any pro days for Beavers' football players?

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:05 The Oregonian

11:05

The Oregonian:

And if so, when?

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:05 The Oregonian

11:06

John Hunt:

Robinson on the Pac-12 call: "We're starting to make plays at the end of the game that make a difference,'' Robinson said. "The last game notwithstanding.''

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:06 John Hunt

11:06

John Hunt:

Pro days - I do not know. I've been in basketball and baseball mode. You'll have to ask Lindsay that one, I'm afraid...

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:06 John Hunt

11:06

The Oregonian:

Will do.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:06 The Oregonian

11:06

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

John, what do you hear about Wetzler and Starrs return, we need them against SD State.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:06 Guest

11:07

John Hunt:

I don't expect Wetzler to be out long; Starr is TBA. Yes, the rotation is paper thin right now - they need one or two of those guys.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:07 John Hunt

11:08

The Oregonian:

Anyone else? Echo, echo, echo. ...

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:08 The Oregonian

11:08

The Oregonian:

While we wait, John, where does Robinson's team go from here?

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:08 The Oregonian

11:10

John Hunt:

To Gill Coliseum! For the last two home games, this week. Saturday is Senior Day, and we'll see a tribute to Joe Burton, even down to the turquoise unis. Then comes the Civil War, and that will be interesting at the Taj McBall...

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:10 John Hunt

11:10

[Comment From BawlmerBeavBawlmerBeav: ]

Conforto is starting strong, as expected. Anybody surprising you with their hitting?

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:10 BawlmerBeav

11:13

John Hunt:

Well, it's very, very early, but Jake Rodriguez is obviously swinging it well, and it's good to see Kavin Keyes with some early hits after his down year last season. Also Tyler Smith is hitting and getting on base - he could have a huge year. I don't think you'll see montrous numbers out of Conforto again, because I don't think anybody wants to pitch to him.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:13 John Hunt

11:13

[Comment From PaulPaul: ]

GREAT start by the baseball team considering they are not putting their best lineup out there yet. Also, the pitching was pretty phenomenal for an opening series. Four runs were the most scored against us in 4 games and the bullpen has started out so strong. Hopefully the boys can play a good series against SDSU. John, will the pitching be a strength when the other guys return? Not Fry of course.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:13 Paul

11:15

John Hunt:

Yes, A rotation of Wetzler, Boyd, Starr and Child, with Moore working his way in there - that's strong. Plus, the bullpen looks very, very solid with Schultz and Bryant and the new lefty Engelbrekt. Pitching looks excellent for the Beavers this season.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:15 John Hunt

11:16

The Oregonian:

If there's nothing else, we'll let John go. Last call for questions. ...

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:16 The Oregonian

11:16

[Comment From tom ktom k: ]

So you mentioned coach rob is still around do you think the AD will pull the trigger as it seems like we are going to have a few more years with him after that extension last year (osu doesnt normally want to buy out contracts)

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:16 tom k

11:17

John Hunt:

You're right. Buying out contracts isn't something that fits in with the OSU financial strategy. I'm sure you'll see Robinson coaching again next season, but there will be heat on him to get W's in 2013-14.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:17 John Hunt

11:17

[Comment From tom ktom k: ]

back to baseball the two freshman pitchers looked good in moore and engelbrekt i am excited about them

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:17 tom k

11:18

John Hunt:

Yeah, Tom, everybody raves about Moore's stuff, and Engelbrekt fills that Boyd void very nicely in the pen.It'll be interesting to see how they do against some Pac-12 bats.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:18 John Hunt

11:18

[Comment From PaulPaul: ]

How fortunate do you think Robinson is that football was good this year and baseball is going to be very good? Does he get lost in the shuffle and therefore allowed to continue this stretch of mediority at best?

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:18 Paul

11:20

John Hunt:

I don't know if football/baseball is that responsible. I'd say there is a general apathy toward college basketball in these parts, compared with the rest of the country, and there aren't that many people too worked up about it. Notice you haven't heard any boos at Gill this season.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:20 John Hunt

11:20

[Comment From BawlmerBeavBawlmerBeav: ]

I think you're kidding yourself if you think Coach Rob is on his way out. Interestingly, even as the basketball team keeps blowing leads and losing late, the baseball team showed some poise this weekend, coming back from some early deficits. What went on with that morning game with UC Riverside, though? 2 runs given up late. Minor blip in a great weekend, but I'm just wondering.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:20 BawlmerBeav

11:20

[Comment From tom ktom k: ]

thanks for the comments JH

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:20 tom k

11:22

[Comment From PaulPaul: ]

The two runs in the ninth came when a double play to end the game was a hair late at first and the first baseman did not throw home to get the second runner scoring. Mental gaffe after the physical play did not work.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:22 Paul

11:23

[Comment From BawlmerBeavBawlmerBeav: ]

Thanks, Paul --- couldn't reconstruct it from the GameTracker.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:23 BawlmerBeav

11:23

John Hunt:

Thank you, Paul - a couple of unearned runs late. Not something Casey would be thrilled about, but it is a February kind of mistake. It would have been a shame to ruin Tyler Painton's nice relief outing.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:23 John Hunt

11:23

[Comment From PaulPaul: ]

Does Boyd have enough "stuff" and stamina to be a starting pitcher? Not criticising but just wondering - reliever to starter is not easy.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:23 Paul

11:24

John Hunt:

You're right, Paul. He's a very sturdy guy, and he's been making the transition to starter, literally, since the end of last season. He was excellent in that role in the Cape Cod league. Will he hold up over an entire season? We don't know, but I don't see any red flags.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:24 John Hunt

11:25

The Oregonian:

Couple more basketball comments. ...

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:25 The Oregonian

11:25

[Comment From ToddTodd: ]

General apathy? For my part, I cannot stomach watching the brand of brain-dead basketball that the Beavs play. As someone schooled with the highly disciplined and excellent defensive squads of Ralph Miller, baseball season could not get here soon enough. When the Beavs start playing intelligent basketball, avoiding the mistakes that would get you benched in a high school game, then I will start buying tickets again.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:25 Todd

11:25

[Comment From tom ktom k: ]

One more thing does it feel like basketball is sliding back to where the program was with jay john

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:25 tom k

11:26

John Hunt:

You're not alone in that sentiment, Todd. As for the Jay John years, well, the record is pretty similar - not counting John's final year, when he didn't make it through the winless season.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:26 John Hunt

11:26

[Comment From ToddTodd: ]

I know Casey is going to be cautious with Frye, but where is he at in his rehab right now?

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:26 Todd

11:27

John Hunt:

I am not aware of any setbacks, but I'd be shocked if you saw him on the mound this season. As Casey said, "He's got a future,'' so you've got to nurse him all the way back to health.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:27 John Hunt

11:28

[Comment From ToddTodd: ]

Thank John - I appreciate your work.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:28 Todd

11:28

The Oregonian:

All right, everyone. Slow start, strong finish, good chat. Thanks, all. Thank you, John.

Tuesday February 19, 2013 11:28 The Oregonian

11:28

John Hunt:

Thanks, Todd. Thanks, everybody. Go enjoy the sunshine!