ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 19 Power Rankings

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 18: Tres Tinkle #3 of the Oregon State Beavers reacts late in the second half from the bench in the second half against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena on March 18, 2016 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

5. Oregon State Beavers (18-12, 10-8 Pac-12) LW: T-4

For the past two years, Oregon State was a laughingstock in the Pac-12. Tomorrow, the Beavers get the last laugh after receiving a first-round bye in Las Vegas, finishing with the No. 4 seed at the conclusion of the regular season.

However, to keep its postseason hopes alive, OSU will have to run the table in Sin City. And in a city built on risk, coach Wayne Tinkle can’t afford to have his team fold based on its struggles down the stretch.

Despite the additional day of rest, the Beavers have not forgotten the self-induced stress caused over the final four games that nearly cost them their advantage. OSU dropped three in a row to Arizona, Arizona State and Washington in six days before wrapping the season with a win over Washington State.

In those games, Arizona stunned the Beavers on a buzzer-beater by freshman Devonaire Doutrive. Two days later, Sun Devils’ freshman Luguentz Dort hit a go-ahead 3 inside the final minute. The skid was capped by an overtime loss in Seattle, the closest UW came to losing at home.

Three losses by a combined eight points is more than enough to rattle a good team, not to mention one lacking postseason experience.

To make an unexpected run, Tinkle will look to his most seasoned veterans, all of whom received all-conference recognition; Redshirt junior Tres Tinkle (First Team), senior Stephen Thompson Jr. (Second Team) and junior center Kylor Kelley (All-Defensive Team).

Oregon State will play the winner of No. 5 seed Colorado and No. 12 seed California on Thursday afternoon.

– Pekale

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