Dec. 18, 2009

TICKETS | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | GAMETRACKER | GAME NOTES

THE SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19

Mississippi Valley State (1-9) at Oregon State (4-5)

LIVE COVERAGE

Radio: Beaver Sports Radio Network; Jon Warren (play-by-play)

Live Video: www.osubeavers.com

Live Audio: www.osubeavers.com

Live Stats: www.osubeavers.com

Television: None

THE SERIES

Oregon State vs. MVSU: First Meeting

Corvallis, Ore.: First Meeting

Itta Bena, Miss.: Never Met

Neutral: Never Met

The Oregon State men’s basketball team returns to action this weekend as the Beavers host Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 7:00 p.m. The Oregon State athletic department is offering a special “Holiday Package” for the contest as fans can purchase a general admission ticket for $15 and receive a general admission ticket to the Fresno State contest for free. The tickets are only available for purchase online at osubeavers.com.

Oregon State enters the contest with a mark of 4-5 on the season after dropping a 63-61 decision at the hands of Illinois-Chicago on Wednesday. Seth Tarver led the way for Oregon State in the loss with 17 points as Calvin Haynes added 15 points for the Beavers.

The Oregon State defense has been the driving force for the Beavers in the early part of the season, led by Tarver, who leads the league and ranks second in the nation with 3.4 steals per game. Oregon State is holding opponents to just 39.2 percent from the floor and just 28.0 percent from behind the arc.

Mississippi Valley State enters with a mark of 1-9 on the season after the Delta Devils fell to Oregon, 79-51, on Wednesday. Julius Cheeks is the only Mississippi Valley State player in double figures, averaging 10.5 points per game.

A live video feed of the game will be available on the official online audio and video source of Oregon State athletics, Beaver Nation Online. The game can also be heard over the Beaver Sports Radio Network with Mike Parker providing the call.

SCOUTING MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

Mississippi Valley State, led by head coach Sean Woods, enters the weekend with a mark of 1-9 on the season after dropping a 79-51 decision at Oregon on Wednesday.

Julius Cheeks leads the Delta Devils attack at 10.5 points per game as Tashan Newsome ranks second on the squad, scoring at a 9.3 points per game clip.

Mississippi Valley State has struggled from the field in the early-going, hitting only 39.0 percent of its shots as the Delta Devils are hitting 30.8 percent of their shots from behind the three-point arc. On defense, the Delta Devils are holding opponents to 47.9 percent from the floor and 36.9 percent from beyond the three-point line.

The meeting marks the first in history between the two schools.

DEFENSE, AND THE 1-3-1, LEADING THE WAY FOR OREGON STATE IN EARLY GOING

The Oregon State defense has been among the nation’s best in the early-going as the Beavers have been forcing turnovers and keeping opponents field-goal percentage down through nine games. Specifically, Oregon State’s 1-3-1 zone defense has received the share of the attention as the guard at the top of the zone, Seth Tarver, is a big reason why.

Tarver leads the way for the Oregon State defense as the senior leads the Pac-10 Conference and ranks second in the NCAA at 3.4 steals per game. The effort has allowed Oregon State to lead the league at 9.1 steals per game, a mark that currently ranks No. 36 in the nation. Last season, Tarver became the first Oregon State player since Gary Payton to lead the league in steals during conference play as the forward averaged 2.0 per game.

When opponents do get shots off against Tarver and the 1-3-1, they have not been able to hit them with consistency. Oregon State leads the league (No. 37 NCAA) in field goal percentage defense at 39.9 percent and ranks second in the Pac-10 in scoring defense (No. 15 NCAA) at 57.3 points per game. The Beavers also rank high in three-point field goal percentage defense as Oregon State ranks third in the league at 28.0 percent.

Seth Tarver PLAYING WELL TO START THE SEASON

Senior forward Seth Tarver has led the Oregon State attack to open the season, averaging 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds to lead the Beavers in both categories through six games. Tarver has reached double figures in 8-of-9 games this season; and, in the victory over George Washington, Tarver led the team with 18 points while recording three assists and three steals.

The senior also led the Oregon State attack at the “Duel in the Desert” tournament and was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds through the three games.

Tarver currently leads the Pac-10 with 3.4 steals per game and is among the active career leaders in several categories, ranking 10th in career points (776), fourth in rebounds (434) and first in steals (137).

OREGON STATE’S QUEST FOR SCHOOL VICTORY NUMBER 1600 UNDERWAY

After a victory against Cal State Bakersfield, Oregon State stands just two wins shy of a historic milestone as the Beavers have compiled a mark of 1,598-1,185 over the years. During that span, Oregon State has captured 21 conference titles, including five Pac-10 Conference crowns, and has made 16 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship appearances.

Oregon State, the 15th winningest program in men’s college basketball history, stands two wins shy of its 1,600th victory. Only 14 programs have reached the historic milestone as Western Kentucky was the last program to accomplish the feat, surpassing 1,600 wins last season.

In addition to the historic program total, head coach Craig Robinson has reached the 50-win plateau as the second-year head coach picked up his 50th career win at George Washington. Robinson owns a 52-51 career mark in three-plus seasons.

UP NEXT...

Oregon State plays its final non-conference game before the start of Pac-10 Conference play as the Beavers host Fresno State on Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 5:30 p.m. in a game that will be televised by FSN NW.