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Oregon State basketball: Beavers set to battle UCLA and USC

Tuesday January 15, 2013

1:03

The Oregonian:

Yikes. Lost track of time. Sorry about that. Let's get this going, though. Please drop in your questions now for John Hunt.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:03 The Oregonian

1:04

John Hunt:

There you are. You can't keep this throng waiting, you know.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:04 John Hunt

1:05

The Oregonian:

I know. OK, first things first, the Eric Moreland situation. His return can't come soon enough, can it?

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:05 The Oregonian

1:06

John Hunt:

No. Sooner than Saturday would be good, considering the Beavers play at UCLA on Thursday, but that probably won't happen. Moreland has been working on the scout team this week, so he's definitely out for the Bruins.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:06 John Hunt

1:07

The Oregonian:

And his absence against UCLA means the Beavers chances against the Bruins are ... ?

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:07 The Oregonian

1:09

John Hunt:

You know, not as terrible as you might think for an 0-3 team going against a 4-0 team. UCLA has a lot of freshmen, and they might just have a little cruise control going for this one, although it's hard to imagine Shabazz Muhammad letting his team do any sleepwalking.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:09 John Hunt

1:10

John Hunt:

I would not be shocked if the Beavers pulled the upset at Pauley. If they can defend Travis Wear and if Jarmal Reid can harass Shabazz, the Beavers have a chance - Moreland or no.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:10 John Hunt

1:10

The Oregonian:

How would you assess the Beavers' start to Pac-12 play. No wins, of course, but are there good signs that the team is coming along and improving?

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:10 The Oregonian

1:13

John Hunt:

Good signs: Collier's play, the steady improvement of the freshmen and the impending boost of Moreland's return.
Bad signs: Shaky defense and inconsistent guard play.
The other reason for optimism is that after Thursday, the Beavers will have played the best four teams in the Pac-12, so it will get easier.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:13 John Hunt

1:13

The Oregonian:

Ah, good point about the schedule.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:13 The Oregonian

1:13

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Coach Robinson is a good recruiter since Ralph Miller; can he coach with the talent he has on his roster? They ALWAYS struggle during Pac-10/12 play every season.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:13 Guest

1:16

John Hunt:

You're right - he is not a proven winner in the league yet. Remember, though, this team went 0-18 in the Pac the year before he took over, so to put him on a five-year plan is just a little unfair. Add, of course, the departure of Cunningham and the injury to Brandt. But you are right - there needs to be greater success in league play.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:16 John Hunt

1:16

[Comment From Beyond the arcBeyond the arc: ]

If the season continues to go south, is there reason to believe that Coach Robinson's job would be in jepordy? Or is he safe for the foreseeable future?

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:16 Beyond the arc

1:18

John Hunt:

It depends on how far south. With smaller and quieter crowds, and with the embarrassing loss at home to Towson, there seems to be an apathy that needs to be reversed. I don't think there's any way that he would get the Kevin O'Neill midseason treatment, though.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:18 John Hunt

1:20

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Coach Robinson first year at Oregon State to take them to CBI Championship Title! The Program haven't gone to the next step. They beat Washington in last year Pac-12 Tournament is a small positive to the right direction.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:20 Guest

1:20

[Comment From Beyond the arcBeyond the arc: ]

If I remember right, Towson players and coached did not address the media following the win over Oregon State. Any reason why? They won the game.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:20 Beyond the arc

1:21

John Hunt:

Right. Nobody - despite Cunningham's leaving, injuries, etc. - nobody would be satisfied with another CBI. Some more steps in the right direction are needed.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:21 John Hunt

1:22

John Hunt:

That's a good question, Arc. I was not there. I was in San Antonio, so I can't tell you exactly what happened. It's possible that with everybody in San Antonio and Towson probably without a traveling media contingent, there was nobody to talk with.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:22 John Hunt

1:23

[Comment From BeavsFanForLifeBeavsFanForLife: ]

Is Craig the man to get the Beavs back to the tourney in your opinion John? Or is he a stepping stone that can leave the program in great shape for a proven winner?

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:23 BeavsFanForLife

1:24

John Hunt:

I would not call him a stepping stone. The jury is out on whether Robinson can get this team to the NCAAs. Could it have happened this year with Jared and Angus? It would have been interesting to see. But it doesn't look like it'll happen now.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:24 John Hunt

1:25

[Comment From BeavsFanForLifeBeavsFanForLife: ]

Personally. If this seasons goes to the crapper, which it appears it is, I see Craig leaving for Northwestern. It's a perfect set-up for him.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:25 BeavsFanForLife

1:26

John Hunt:

Northwestern - great academics, close to home. I'm sure he'd be interested in that job.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:26 John Hunt

1:27

The Oregonian:

Back to this week, John. At USC on Saturday. Easy win, or not so fast?

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:27 The Oregonian

1:28

John Hunt:

I'm going to make a crazy prediction: The Beavers will upset UCLA then lose to USC, as the Trojans will be pumped up, trying to make favorable impressions on the new man in charge.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:28 John Hunt

1:28

The Oregonian:

Wow. Bold indeed.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:28 The Oregonian

1:29

The Oregonian:

More Robinson ...

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:29 The Oregonian

1:29

[Comment From BeavsFanForLifeBeavsFanForLife: ]

What do his assts bring to the table? All I've heard from my cousin in the athletic dept is that they're good recruiters (some of them). I know Rob's to blame, but shouldn't people be looking into him making a staff change? 5 years together, not a ton of progress, Maybe he needs help.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:29 BeavsFanForLife

1:31

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Robinson is going Northwestern as an assistance coach? They already have a decent coach. USC could sweep Ducks and Beavers, because a coaching change mid-season spike the players to win for their new coach.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:31 Guest

1:31

John Hunt:

They are good recruiters. Again, if the season continues in a southerly direction, maybe there will be pressure to make a change.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:31 John Hunt

1:32

The Oregonian:

Since the deluge of questions has ebbed, we're going to let John go. Final thoughts?

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:32 The Oregonian

1:32

John Hunt:

No, let's not start any rumors here. I was just saying that if you had to come up with other schools that would interest Robinson, then Northwestern would have to be right up there.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:32 John Hunt

1:33

John Hunt:

OK, thanks, folks - have a good rest of the week!

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:33 John Hunt

1:33

The Oregonian:

Look for another Beavers hoops chat next week. Thanks, everybody.

Tuesday January 15, 2013 1:33 The Oregonian

1:33