The 3-2-1: What we learned from OSU hoops over the weekend

After a weekend in which we saw the Oregon State men's team knock off the Ducks by double digits and the women's team lose to both L.A. schools on the road, BeaversEdge.com breaks it down.

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1. Expectations might have been too high for Scott Rueck’s young team. What a weekend to forget for Oregon State women’s basketball coaches, players, and fans. The Beavers started the weekend against No. 14 UCLA in a game that was supposed to be a measuring stick for this years team. Regrettably for the Beavers, the Bruins boat-raced the Beavers, 84-49.

In that loss, the Beavers shot just 16 percent from behind the three-point arc and allowed UCLA to score 33 points off of 21 Beaver turnovers. Sure, bad games happen from time-to-time. OSU lost to UCLA badly in 2015-2016 in Pauley Pavilion before advancing to the Final Four later in the year. Last year, the Beavers had a puzzling loss to USC late in Pac-12 play and responded by running to the Sweet Sixteen.

This time and this year, Rueck’s squad didn’t respond as the Beavers lost back-to-back games for the first time since 2014. The Beavers’ largest lead against USC on Sunday was 17 points but faltered late due to poor execution and turnovers. Just like the UCLA game, turnovers killed the Beavers as they committed 27 turnovers that USC turned into 26 points. (Yes, you read that correctly -- 27 turnovers in one game).

The season is still young, but the Beavers have far too many question marks about their team as they head back to Corvallis after being swept.

2. Wayne Tinkle’s squad may have something to say this season. Thanks to a tremendous all-around performance against Oregon on Friday night, the Beavers sit tied for second place in the Pac-12 with a 2-1 conference record. All preseason long, the Beavers dealt with the demons of last years’ 5 win campaign. The Beavers were learning how to win again that required a tremendous amount of patience.

Beaver fans’ patience was stretched thin in questionable losses to Wyoming, Long Beach State, and Kent State. However, the flip switched for Tinkle’s team once conference play started as OSU ratcheted up the defensive pressure and split the mountain schools at home before dispatching of Oregon.

Based on the experience and moxy that makes up this Beaver squad, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the Beavers could get better game-by-game and make a run at some sort of postseason tournament. The Pac-12 is wide open this season, and I have a feeling the Beavers will finish higher than people think.

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3. Seth Berger could be a game-changing leader. Seth Berger hasn’t been the typical grad-transfer so far this season. Most grad-transfers are immediate-impact players who can make a big splash right away. Berger isn't that guy. He didn’t garner many headlines when he transferred from UMass in the offseason, but he is starting to become a presence that the Beavers need on the court.

Berger is a hustle and defense first player who is starting to find his groove and rhythm on the court. After OSU’s Civil War win, Berger noted that he is finally starting to get comfortable in Tinkle’s system and it showed with his 12 point, five rebound and three assists performance against the Ducks. The Beavers are 8-2 with Berger in the starting lineup and if he continues to play with the same grit and determination he did against Oregon, that record will only get better.

1. How will Scott Rueck’s Beavers respond? After getting swept on the road at the hands of UCLA and USC, Rueck and his staff will have their work cut out for them in practice this week. The Beavers looked as bad as I’ve seen them during the Rueck era in these two losses and largely it was due to poor execution and inexperience. The Beavers are turning the ball over at an alarming rate (48 over the past two games) and simply put, you won’t win games that way. Up next are the Arizona schools who are both very solid teams, especially Arizona State. All eyes will be on how Rueck can right the ship.

2. Can the Beavers stay competitive on the road? While all is good in the land of Corvallis after the big Civil War win, it’s important to remember that the Beavers have their 2-1 conference record by way of having three straight Pac-12 games in the friendly confines of Gill Coliseum. The Beavers go on the road to play two teams in Arizona and Arizona State, who are both extremely upset with their performances against the mountain schools and will be looking to exercise some demons. A split against these two would be the best-case-scenario, but more importantly, it would be a step in the right direction for the Beavers to keep both games close.

Scott Rueck’s Beavers will have fewer than 20 total turnovers combined against the Arizona schools at home. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what Rueck will be preaching at practice this week. Taking care of the ball. Look for the Beavers to play the way that we are all used to seeing them and commit fewer than 20 total turnovers in the two games as they sweep the Arizona schools.