headtopics
Justin Joyner's Oregon State Beavers will begin a fresh college basketball season on Monday night, hosting the Weber State Wildcats at Gill Coliseum. The game marks the opening of Oregon State's 2026-2027 campaign and the first under a new era for the program.
Among the 12 newcomers on the roster, senior guard Josiah Lake II is the lone returner from last season's squad. The Tualatin product is expected to provide veteran leadership as the Beavers embark on their first season back in their conference.
Sophomore forward Jackson Rasmussen, a transfer from the University of Idaho, was named the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year last season. In two games against Weber State, Rasmussen averaged 11 points and four rebounds, making him the only current Beaver with prior experience facing the Wildcats.
Junior guard Daniel Freitag joins the team after a standout stint at the University of Buffalo, where he averaged 19.8 points per game last season and posted three separate 33-point performances. Despite his scoring prowess, Freitag has expressed a willingness to contribute in multiple ways. "I've always prided myself on not being one-dimensional. So if it's scoring one night, facilitating another, I'm willing to do whatever," Freitag said.
Key Analysis
Oregon State's season opener presents a challenging test against a Weber State team that is familiar with at least one Beaver. With a largely revamped roster, the Beavers will look to build chemistry quickly. The leadership of Lake and the scoring ability of Freitag will be crucial, while Rasmussen's prior success against the Wildcats could provide an edge. Fans can expect a competitive matchup as the Beavers usher in a new chapter.
Originally reported by headtopics.