Pac-12 preview: Oregon State

This is the eighth in an annual 12-part series previewing the Pac-12 teams for the upcoming season.

Oregon State has been on the rise the last few years. But last season the Beavers truly arrived - and how.

They lost only three games during the regular season: one to Tennessee on Dec. 28, and two in February. They claimed the Pac-12 regular season title and were ranked in the top ten for the first time in school history. They won fans along the way; TV announcers and fans knew player's names. OSU went to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row.

So how do they follow that up? The Beavers are starting well on paper, having lost only one starter. They return a tight group of ravenous upperclassmen who have not only learned about the game together, but have learned each other.

“We’ve got a team of outstanding individuals," coach Scott Rueck said. "They’ve set the bar very high in the way they’ve represented themselves, Oregon State and the Pac-12 Conference. We had an amazing year last year, and we know the expectations for this season are high. This group is one that will embrace that challenge, and handle it well."

"This conference is a ridiculous group of coaches and players to compete against, and we’re excited for the year that’s coming up.”

Rueck's story has become familiar: the way he took over an OSU program in 2010 that had crumbled, with only two players left on the roster. How he ran his coaching systems while using his recruiting acumen to find athletes in unlikely places.

The former George Fox University national championship coach found senior guard Jamie Weisner (13.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg) in a small Eastern Washington town, and he plucked center and conference-blocking record-holder Ruth Hamblin (12.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg) from remote British Columbia. Two other starters - junior guard Sydney Wiese (12.7 ppg) and senior forward Deven Hunter (8.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg) - came from smaller high schools in Phoenix and greater Salem, Ore., respectively.

Rueck gets the most from every one of his players, as he has from returning reserves Gabriella Hanson, a junior guard; Samantha Siegner, a senior forward; Marie Gulich, a sophomore center; Jen'Von'Ta Hill, a senior guard; and Kolbie Orum, a junior forward.

OSU players are known for filling up statistical categories, such as Weisner's proficiency in both scoring and rebounds. They are quick in transition and play team ball.

But though last season was unprecedented, the Beavers have room for improvement. They lost their only match up with Stanford, and were upset a week later by Colorado in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament. OSU made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Gonzaga - a squad many felt they should have beaten handily.

Rueck acknowledged that his team grew on many levels in the off-season.

“I think this team has definitely matured physically and mentally," he said. "I’m excited to see what this team will bring to the floor. Jeff Macy is an outstanding strength coach, and he did a great job with this team in the off-season. With the way last year ended, we’re coming into this year really hungry.”

He is counting on his older players to lead the charge.

“The talent is there, the experience is there, and now the experience handling success is there," Rueck said. "We learned some lessons last year that will carry over to this year. I’m excited to see that leadership in action.”

Three freshmen join the mix this season: 6-foot-4 center Tarea Green, from Hillsboro, Ore.; Katie McWilliams, a 6-foot-2 guard from South Salem, Ore.; and guard Taylor Kalmer of Chandler, Ariz. Each gained numerous accolades in their high school careers.

Hamblin said players look forward to the season too.

“Last year we got to experience what it was like to have the bull’s-eye on our backs," she said. "I think we can learn from that. We’re excited to get out on the court and compete for every possession.”

OSU continues their series with Tennessee, begun last year, as the Lady Vols visit Corvallis Dec. 19. Other pre-conference opponents include Arkansas, Marquette and Notre Dame. The Beavers begin Pac-12 play Jan. 2 on the road at USC.