Viewer - OSU set to host Arizona State: Talk Beavers basketball with John Hunt

OSU set to host Arizona State: Talk Beavers basketball with John Hunt

Thursday January 10, 2013

11:00

The Oregonian:

Welcome, everyone. Please toss in your questions for John Hunt ahead of tonight's game between OSU and ASU ...

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:00 The Oregonian

11:01

John Hunt:

Hello, folks!

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:01 John Hunt

11:02

The Oregonian:

It's a slow-arriving crowd today ... John, give us some keys to tonight's game.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:02 The Oregonian

11:02

John Hunt:

Ask away, don't be shy. Sendek, we know you're in here - get outta here...

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:02 John Hunt

11:04

John Hunt:

The big key for the Beavs is to keep the ball out of the hands of Jahii Carson. If he gets off, then he could more than neutralize Starks and Nelson.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:04 John Hunt

11:04

[Comment From DanDan: ]

Do you think that the Beavs will try to get the ball into the paint more against ASU than against Oregon?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:04 Dan

11:04

John Hunt:

I say keep the ball out of his hands - I meant as much as possible. He's the point guard, so he's going to have the ball in his hands. Force him to shoot as much as possible and not create.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:04 John Hunt

11:06

John Hunt:

Well, there's the 7-foot-2 Bachynski. You'd like to think the Beavers will go right at his chest and try to get a foul or two. But Bachynski has had a knack for blocking and changing a lot of shots - that'll be interesting. But you're right, the Beavers can't rely on the perimeter game.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:06 John Hunt

11:06

John Hunt:

Another key is staying awake for the opening tip. 8:30!!

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:06 John Hunt

11:07

The Oregonian:

That's just the shank of the evening!

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:07 The Oregonian

11:07

John Hunt:

They're serving shank?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:07 John Hunt

11:09

John Hunt:

They just came out with the football sked. Looks like the Beavers have a Friday night home game against USC. Nice.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:09 John Hunt

11:09

The Oregonian:

We can definitely talk football here as well.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:09 The Oregonian

11:09

John Hunt:

Here's the 2013 OSU football schedule ....

Aug. 31 Eastern Washington

Sept. 7 Hawai’i

Sept. 14 at Utah

Sept. 21 at San Diego State

Sept. 28 Colorado

Oct. 5 Bye

Oct. 12 at Washington State

Oct. 19 at California

Oct. 26 Stanford (Homecoming)

Nov. 1 (Fri.) USC

Nov. 9 Bye

Nov. 16 at Arizona State

Nov. 23 Washington

Nov. 29 (Fri.) at Oregon

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:09 John Hunt

11:10

John Hunt:

How's that for a newsy chat, huh?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:10 John Hunt

11:10

The Oregonian:

Stanford and USC back-to-back.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:10 The Oregonian

11:10

The Oregonian:

Stanford for homecoming?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:10 The Oregonian

11:10

John Hunt:

That's a tester. They have two well-placed byes, though - barring hurricanes and somesuch.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:10 John Hunt

11:13

The Oregonian:

Folks, more questions? Otherwise, we might have to wrap this one up waaaay early.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:13 The Oregonian

11:14

John Hunt:

Everybody's napping in preparation for the 8:30 p.m. tip...

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:14 John Hunt

11:14

[Comment From eanean: ]

Does Robinson strike you as a really stubborn person?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:14 ean

11:16

John Hunt:

Hmmm, I see where you're going with that, but I wouldn't totally go along with that. Now in his fifth year here, he has dramatically changed his offensive and defensive system. I don't think he's being stubborn this year - I just don't think he has a whole lot of options.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:16 John Hunt

11:17

[Comment From DanDan: ]

I love the football sched. we finally play Colorado! I think Starks is going to have to have a good night scoring tonight to win, do you?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:17 Dan

11:18

John Hunt:

They will need either Starks or Nelson to hit a bunch of threes, and they need an inside game to complement - just the guards bombing away will not get it done, that will just turn Jahii loose on the break.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:18 John Hunt

11:19

[Comment From MikeMike: ]

What's with the second half lately? They had that Oregon game and then came out flat. I am concerned about their defense. I know they can really play when they want to. What is the motivation problem and is it going to be addressed?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:19 Mike

11:20

John Hunt:

Yes, they did come out flat. No excuse for it. Robinson and the team have talked about the need for leadership on the floor, and certainly they need players to talk on defense to get key stops. They also need a reliable way of scoring big buckets, and that should be to pound the ball into Collier.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:20 John Hunt

11:21

The Oregonian:

Ean agrees ...

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:21 The Oregonian

11:21

[Comment From eanean: ]

It just seems like the Beavers are slow to adjust. Also when things don't go their way they end up standing around a lot. I think we need to establish Collier in the post earlier and lean on that when the offense stops flowing.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:21 ean

11:21

The Oregonian:

Robinson says this is the best group he's had heading into the Pac-12 portion of the schedule. Looking ahead, what's the best-case scenario for this Beavers team, do you think, in terms of record and improvement?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:21 The Oregonian

11:22

John Hunt:

Yup, you're right Ean. At least when you pound it with Collier, you're not going to have long rebounds that serve as outlet passes for the other team.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:22 John Hunt

11:22

[Comment From MikeMike: ]

Speaking of that, why did Collier lose his starting job?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:22 Mike

11:23

John Hunt:

Best case scenario? They can have a winning record in the Pac-12 and make a run at the postseason - no reason why they can't. It will take better defense and confidence, though.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:23 John Hunt

11:24

John Hunt:

As for Collier losing his job, Robinson would have no offense at all - well, maybe Olaf Schaftenaar's threes - coming off the bench. So he figures, why not start his best defensive forward and bring a reliable offensive guy off the bench. And they need Moreland in as much as possible.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:24 John Hunt

11:25

[Comment From eanean: ]

Is Brandt recovery going as planned?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:25 ean

11:26

John Hunt:

Sorry - Moreland is his best defensive forward. Jarmal Reid would be second-best. ... Yes, Angus is looking good and is still planning on returning next season. If he gets a professional offer, though, he probably will not be back.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:26 John Hunt

11:26

[Comment From eanean: ]

Personally I'd like to see Burton off the bench. It allows us to go to Collier early and allows Joe to come in a really provide a different look with the odd stuff he does.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:26 ean

11:28

John Hunt:

You could make a case for that, ean. Of course, Robinson brought Collier in after 1 1/2 minutes of the second half.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:28 John Hunt

11:28

[Comment From MikeMike: ]

I think the team is almost too unselfish. They need someone to take over and say "it's crunch time, give me the ball, I will hurt these guys." You know, like GP. Anyone on this team have that potential? Maybe not skill wise but attitude wise?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:28 Mike

11:29

John Hunt:

Ahmad Starks fits that description, but if he's not on, he can shoot you out of the game pretty quick. And although he's a great free-throw shooter, he can't get to the line very often - certainly not like Cunningham did. If Nelson had that attitude, then that would help.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:29 John Hunt

11:30

[Comment From eanean: ]

Speaking of pro offers. Anyone else thinking of leaving early? Seems like a handful of guys could play overseas.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:30 ean

11:31

John Hunt:

I'd be shocked if anybody left early this year. Collier, Starks and Nelson are your juniors, but I do not see them coming out.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:31 John Hunt

11:32

[Comment From MikeMike: ]

I live in Tucson and am surrounded by Wildcat fans, go figure... But, they have barely eked out several key of wins. I see both Oregon schools having better chances than most folks who don't follow the programs closely do. What do you think?

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:32 Mike

11:32

[Comment From MikeMike: ]

Cunningham would have been GP2 if he had had that attitude. I was really hoping he would come back for one last year and learn it.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:32 Mike

11:33

John Hunt:

Yes, Arizona does seem ripe for the knocking off. I could see either Oregon school doing that this weekend. Heck, why not both - it could be a "lost weekend'' with Bill Walton in town.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:33 John Hunt

11:34

John Hunt:

Cunningham was really good at getting to the line, but you're right - he could have been even more assertive in crunch time. I like what I saw of Cunningham's point guard skills when I caught him in Texas, though. I think he'll have a good NBA career.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:34 John Hunt

11:34

The Oregonian:

We'll wrap things up there and let John go. Thanks to him, and to all of you for the questions. Look for more chats throughout basketball season.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:34 The Oregonian

11:35

John Hunt:

OK, thanks everybody. Remember, get a nap and get ready for a good game tonight.

Thursday January 10, 2013 11:35 John Hunt

11:35

[Comment From MikeMike: ]

Thanks!