The Southern Utah University men’s basketball team will hit the road later this week and travel to Corvallis, Oregon to face Oregon State University at the Gill Coliseum on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m.
The game can be streamed live on ESPN+.
SUU has a record of 4-6 and is currently last in the Western Athletic Conference. The Thunderbirds are coming off two big wins, including a come-from-behind victory and the biggest blowout of the season.
Oregon State currently holds a 4-5 record with all four wins coming at home.
Southern Utah
After a rocky start to the season where they only won one of their first six games, the T-Birds have now won three of their last four and started a small win streak.
The Thunderbirds are currently 1-5 on the road and have had major struggles with making shots beyond the arc. On the season they’ve shot 31.1% from three and have shot worse than 25% in half their games.
SUU has excelled in the post, shooting 55.4% from inside the three-point line and averaging more rebounds and blocks than opponents. However, ballhandling troubles have led to many turnovers and steals from opponents.
SUU has six players who average a turnover per game or more, with two players averaging two or more. With some better looks from the three-point line and some tighter dribbling, the T-Birds have a capable team.
Oregon State
The Beavers are fresh off of a win against the University of Vermont that snapped them out of a five-game losing streak.
Oregon State has been a good shooting team this season, going 43.2% from the field and 34.6% from three while limiting opponents to 31% from three.
Their other two strengths are assisting and blocking. The Beavers tend to get out-rebounded and give up many steals, which are encouraging for this SUU team.
Oregon State’s best player is Josiah Lake II. The junior guard leads the team in points, assists and steals while shooting 50% from the field.
SUU and OSU have faced off two times, both in Oregon. The Beavers won both contests.
Author: Andrew Streeter
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis