Oregon State is kicking off the Paradise Jam this Friday at 5 p.m. PT. They’ll face off against Evansville in the beautiful Virgin Islands.
You can catch the game on ESPN+. If you prefer radio, tune into the Beaver Sports Radio Network, where Mike Parker will call the action. For live stats, check out this link.
This matchup is especially interesting since it’s only the second time Oregon State has met Evansville. The first was during the 1989 NCAA Tournament, where Evansville won in overtime, 94-90, with Gary Payton scoring an impressive 31 points.
Oregon State has some momentum coming into this game. They recently wrapped up their third 20-win season in 35 years, with two of those happening under head coach Wayne Tinkle. If they win on Friday, they’ll start the season at 4-1 for the second year in a row, marking five times they’ve reached that record under Tinkle’s leadership.
One of their recent highlights was scoring 40 points from the bench in a game against Oregon, matching their best performance since January 2023. The Beavers have shown solid second-half shooting, hitting 50% in their games so far.
Interesting fact: this year’s squad includes ten international players, representing nine different nations. It highlights the team’s diversity and global reach. Last season, Oregon State set a program record for free throw percentage at 78.6%, and they’re currently above 79% this season, indicating a strong start.
Looking ahead, the Beavers will have an unbalanced schedule for the 2025-26 season. They won’t play road games against Gonzaga or Pepperdine this year, nor will they host Saint Mary’s or Portland.
Keep an eye on these developments, as Oregon State continues to build on their strengths and strive for success this season.
