As the NCAA Tournament comes to a close, GMS likes to review some of the power conference or power program teams that made it to the Big Dance and ask whether or not they’ve got a shot to return to the show next season. We kick things off with teams eliminated in the first round.
Recruit and Reload: Oregon State Beavers
Key Losses: Gary Payton II
Key Returners: Stephen Thompson Jr., Tres Tinkle, Drew Eubanks
Key Newcomers: JaQuori McLaughlin
Breakdown: Next year might not be as smooth of sailing as this season–which isn’t to say that Wayne Tinkle’s group couldn’t have done a bit better, at times–but the future is still bright in Corvallis. Stevie Thompson Jr. and Tres Tinkle have a chance to build upon solid and sometimes spectacular freshmen seasons while Drew Eubanks gave Beavers fans hope for the future as the season went on.
Bringing in McLaughlin continues Tinkle’s mission to upgrade the talent that he has at his disposal, but it still might be another season before Tinkle truly turns the corner with this team and program.
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