Two starters are either out or doubtful for today’s game with Stanford

By Cliff Kirkpatrick
Corvallis Gazette-Times

Injuries just changed the complexion of the season for the Oregon State men’s basketball team.

Starters Wesley Washington and Sasa Cuic were hurt during Thursday night’s game against California.

Washington is not available for tonight’s Pacific-10 Conference game against Stanford and Cuic is doubtful, coach Jay John said.

Both missed Friday’s practice due to being at the doctor for MRIs. Washington was examined for a possible torn tendon in his hand, while Cuic has a left elbow injury.

“I would have to say Wesley is out and Sasa is extremely doubtful,” John said. “Sasa’s elbow is like a grapefruit and Wes’ hand on the foul last night, it just blew up.”

Washington was injured on an intentional foul by Cal’s Eric Vierneisel in the middle of the first half. Vierneisel fouled Washington on the way to a layup, following a turnover and fast-break.

He left the game briefly, but returned to play the rest of the contest. Washington played 33 minutes, scoring five points and handing out five assists.

Jack McGillis is expected to start at shooting guard in place of Washington with Angelo Tsagarakis and Seth Tarver coming off the bench.

“We’ll see what goes on with the flow and we’ll find a group that plays well and we’ll stick with it,” John said.

Washington is a junior in his second season as a starter, having filled in at point guard at the end of last season. He has appeared in all 19 games this season, starting 12, with an average of 6.3 points a game. He’s also second on the team in assists with 2.5 a game.

Being out an extended time hurts the backcourt. Washington helps run the offense with freshman point guard Josh Tarver.

“We’ll talk about it Monday,” John said. “We’ll know more about the length of it on Monday.”

Cuic was injured early in the first half when he dove for a loose ball. It didn’t appear to be serious because the power forward finished the game, scoring 15 points in 28 minutes.

If he can’t play Michael Johnson or Roeland Shaftenaar will start. Both will see significant time, along with Calvin Hampton.

“Some of it is, we just have to get a feel for it,” John said. “I didn’t have a sense of the severity until before practice. We’ll see what we can do. It’s just matchups. Those guys are going to play. It’s a matter of who can get us off to the best start.”

Cuic is the team’s second leading scorer at 13.3 points a game. Shaftenaar has the potential to match that production, and showed improved defense against Cal.

He averages 2.7 points in 8.2 minutes a game. Johnson and Hampton are defensive players.

Being down an interior player today hurts more than usual. Stanford is a big team that features the 7-foot Lopez twins, Brook and Robin. Its leading scorer is 6-8 forward Lawrence Hill.

“I don’t know about the injuries, but we’ll all be ready to play,” forward Marcel Jones said. “We have to come out with a great amount of energy. It’s going to be a battle for 40 minutes. They are a good team and really big. But we’ll be prepared.”