Baller-in-Chief

(From Nkwa Asonye, Jr. for The Daily Colonial Online)

A huge first half for the Oregon State Beavers (2-3) ended up costing the George Washington Colonials (4-1) dearly as they were defeated 64-57 at the Smith Center Saturday afternoon.

(Jordan Teller, Daily Colonial Basketball Photographer)

In the first half, GW fell behind very early to the Beavers. OSU opened the game with a 14-0 run, and senior forward Seth Tarver scored 11 of his game-high 18 points in the first half. They forced GW to play their style of basketball and also took advantage of their trips to the free throw line making eight of their nine attempts in the half.

“We got off to a slow start and had to play catch up the entire game,” GW’s Coach Karl Hobbs said. “It was our first game center stage and we didn’t react well particularly in the first half.

Defense wasn’t the only problem; on the offensive end, the Colonials didn’t help themselves either. They had their chances at the free throw line to put a dent into the lead, but the Colonials only made three out of their eight trips. Not only did they commit 12 turnovers, but they also shot only 39.1% from the field coupled against Oregon State’s 50%. However, thanks to a couple of late three-pointers by freshman Lasan Kromah, they managed to exit the half only down by ten, 35-25.

When the second half began, GW’s offensive flow improved greatly; unfortunately, the numbers don’t show that at all. In that half they only shot 35.3% from the floor while taking 34 shots. OSU in comparison only took 12 shots – but made seven. The game seemed to hover at the 10 point margin as time started to dwindle.

But with only 47 seconds to go in the game, the Colonials caught a bit of a spark.

To start the rally, GW got a layup from senior forward Damian Hollis, who finished with 10 points. Then freshman Bryan Bynes stole the following inbounds pass and laid it in to cut the lead to seven. On the very next play, sophomore Tony Taylor stole the inbounds and finished the layup with a foul called allowing him to get to the charity stripe to add one more. He missed that attempt, but Lasan Kromah got the offensive rebound, found a way to get open, and nailed a three-pointer with 33 seconds left to go in the game. He led all GW scorers with 12. GW found themselves down only two, the smallest margin they had been losing by since seconds into the first half.

Unfortunately, the fairy tale ending would not come tonight as Oregon State managed to move the ball up the court, hit some late free throws and run out the clock.

However, the biggest buzz of the game occurred even before tip-off as President Barack Obama made his entrance into the Smith Center with the family in tow. Upon his arrival, university President Steven Knapp presented President Obama with a basketball signed by the team and coaches along with a Colonials’ uniform with jersey number 13.

After the game, Coach Hobbs publicly thanked the President and his family for their attendance. Both teams got a chance to shake the hands of both the President and the First Lady, whose brother is OSU’s head coach, Craig Robinson.

GW’s first chance to avenge the loss will be on Wednesday night as they take renew their rivalry with George Mason. Tip is scheduled for 7 pm.

(From Dan Greene for the GW Hatchet Online)

(Photo by Photo Editor Viktors Dindzans)

While the White House still has yet to completely confirm with the University President Obama’s attendance of today’s men’s basketball game against Oregon State, extensive security measures are currently underway at Smith Center in preparation for a potential presidential visit.

U.S. Secret Service and White House Communications vehicles are currently parked outside the arena on 22nd and G streets, with metal detectors being installed at each entrance way. The interior of building has already been swept and everyone entering has been put through the full security check, including both teams as they entered to take their pre-game shoot-arounds. A tent is currently being constructed around the F Street entrance and a security dog was recently walked around the perimeter.

Players and coaches from Oregon State departed the arena and left via bus at approximately 9:05 a.m. and members of the GW team were trickling in shortly thereafter for their turn on the court.

Based on discussions with administrators, it is unlikely that GW will know for certain whether the president will be at the game until shortly before he arrives for security reasons, but it would be hard to imagine all of this is being done for show. We’ll be back throughout the morning and all the way up and through game time with any and all updates we receive.

Update, 10:16 a.m. Moments ago, approximately 18 members of law enforcement entered the building through the 22nd Street entrance.

Update, 10:29 a.m. Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Robert Chernak just said that nothing more is officially known at this time. He basically echoed the existing sentiment that the president is expected on GW’s end and that everything is in place for him to attend, but that the White House had yet to commit one way or another. He also noted that Obama is trying not to make a spectacle of his appearance and that an announcement of his attendance is not expected at the game.

Update, 11:09 a.m. The tent that was being assembled outside the F Street arena entrance appears to have been completed and now extends halfway into the road, though the street remains open to traffic. There are also Secret Service posters on either side of the 22nd Street entrance warning those attending today’s game that they are subject to a security search.

Update, 12:30 p.m. I’m now inside the building after going through all of the security checks. Still no arrival from the potential special guest(s), though MPD vehicles are now stationed on and around F Street. Director of Athletics Jack Kvancz, who went through security just in front of me, looked around, smiled and remarked, “So I guess he’s coming.”

Update, 1:10 p.m. Just to state the obvious at this point, all indications from everyone working here is that President Obama and his family are expected to come to the game. There are seats reserved for them behind the Oregon State bench and in there are “presidential visit fact sheets” in the media room.

Update, 1:27 p.m. Also expected to attend today’s game are U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who met the GW players and coaches in October; D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty; and someone from the TV show Top Chef whose name could not be recalled by the GW media representative at the time.

Update, 1:33 p.m. Check that. Fenty is no longer expected to attend the game.

Update, 1:37 p.m. University President Steven Knapp is part of a group of people currently standing at the black curtain inside the F Street entrance where the Obamas are expected to arrive.

(From Dan Green for the GW Hatchet Online)

(From Charles Pope for The Oregonian Online)

President Obama’s advice to Oregon State team visiting White House: ‘Be loose, have fun’

WASHINGTON – Washington is a town where transactions of everyday life are colored by who you know and what you want.

Which for the Oregon State basketball team is a perfect place to be when your coach happens to be the brother of the first lady and tight with a basketball-crazed president.

How else to explain senior guard Seth Tarver finding himself and his teammates at the White House this morning for a chat with President Obama and some of hoops-crazed aides? What other explanation is there for a private tour of the White House amid two wars and a wobbling economy? What other reason would there be for coach Craig Robinson’s ability to break away Thursday evening to spend part of Thanksgiving at the White House with his sister, Michelle Obama, the president and 50 highly important and close friends? And most important, how else could somebody arrange an invitation for a bunch of tall, young men from Corvallis to take a few shots at the White House basketball court?

A happy convergence indeed.

Associated Press
President Obama, whose love for basketball is well documented, visited with Oregon State’s team today as his brother-in-law’s players got a White House tour ahead of Saturday’s game at George Washington. In this picture, from last month, the president is seen after playing a pick-up game.“When we met the president, everybody was really excited,” Tarver said about two hours after the team emerged from a chat with Obama and a White House tour. “He was really cool.”

“They knew what they were talking about and some had watched us so that made it even better,” Tarver said.

Junior guard Calvin Haynes said meeting Obama “was probably the most memorable time of my life,” adding that the president’s words would translate into a strong performance by Oregon State (1-3) on Saturday against George Washington (4-0).

“He told us be loose, have fun and don’t worry about anything else,” Haynes said. “I think it definitely will make us more hungry because we know the president is watching us and will be clapping for us.”

The only open question is whether Obama will come to the game. George Washington’s home arena is less than two miles from the White House. Haynes expects him to be there.

“He said he’s coming. We really didn’t have to ask him.”

And compared to last year, a simple visit to a landmark near the team’s hotel neither Robinson nor the players saw the side-trip as a serious distraction.

“Last year we had a lot of distractions, especially with coach going to the inauguration. So, distractions are nothing new for us. At the same time it was really exciting,’’ Tarver said.

True enough. Last year as the team prepared to for the meat of its Pacific-10 Conference schedule, Robinson had to run off to Washington to take part in Obama’s inauguration in January. He returned to the West Coast on three hours sleep to lead the team in a game against California.

Nor was today’s chat a first for some of the players. Robinson said Obama met a couple during the campaign and was able to recall their performance when they met again.

“Not only does he know basketball but he pays attention to the teams he likes and we’re one of those,” Robinson said during a brief interview before practice today.

Robinson is hoping his players will get more than immediate boost at a time when the team is struggling to meet pre-season expectations.

“Part of the White House is like a museum and we were hearing about other presidents and the struggles of other presidents,” he said.

“The second thing is, President Obama represents hope for this country and I was hoping they would take away from a historical and sociological standpoint for themselves and stay engaged in the political process. It’s not as foreign and not as abstract for young people when you get a tour through the White House and see the White House and see the surroundings.

“If they can take that little bit away it would serve as a lesson more than any class they could take.”

(From OSUBeavers.com)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the nation’s capital for a game against George Washington, the Oregon State men’s basketball team received the opportunity of a lifetime on Friday as the Beavers met President of the United States Barack Obama and took a guided tour of the White House.

“I wanted the guys to experience all of the history surrounding one of the most recognizable buildings in the world,” head coach Craig Robinson said. “It was a special experience and one I hope these guys will never forget.”

Once through security, the Beavers were greeted by White House Visitors Office Director Ellie Schafer, who led the Oregon State travel party into an office in the east wing. Much to their surprise, the Beavers were greeted by President Obama and special assistant Reggie Love. After the thrill of the moment set in, President Obama took a few moments to meet everyone individually, deliver some encouraging words and pose for a group picture.

Following the brief meeting with President Obama, the squad had the opportunity to check out the White House basketball court, a former tennis court that was converted once President Obama took office. With a stray ball lying on the court (complete with an Obama campaign logo), Jared Cunningham calmly nailed a seven-foot jumper to the cheers of the travel party.

With a perfect field goal percentage in hand, Schafer led Oregon State on the traditional White House tour, with stops at the historic rooms of the first floor of the White House residence. Schafer shared the history behind rooms such as the Blue Room and Red Room before leading the group outside to take a picture at the main entrance.

Following the group photo opportunity, the team finished the tour and made its way back to the hotel, wrapping up an unforgettable experience.

“It was an amazing opportunity,” senior forward Seth Tarver said. “Words cannot really describe it. It was impressive to learn about the history of the building and the presidents who have occupied it through the years. I think we were all nervous when we saw President Obama in the room, but he gave us some words of encouragement and lightened the mood.”

Oregon State returned to practice Friday afternoon as the Beavers prepare to face George Washington on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 11:00 a.m. The game can be heard over the Beaver Sports Radio Network or online at www.osubeavers.com with a subscription to Beaver Nation Online.