In a game of streaks, Craig Robinson and the Oregon State Beavers, hold on to beat UTEP before over 8,000 spring break fans, and stopped the team from El Paso, 75-69.
This first, in the best of three games, showed the offensive strength of both teams. The Beavers came out of the first half, with a six point lead. They immediately gained the advantage with 10 straight points.
But, the Miners, were not to be stopped with their own offensive streaks.
The Beavers will show up in El Paso, tomorrow, for their second game in the series on Wednesday night.
This is an amazing turn-around for the team from Corvallis, and the, "Coach who could."
Early on in the season, new coach Craig Robinson was hoping for just one conference win. He got that with an early upset of the USC Trojans....and went on to win 6 more PAC-10 games.
In what has turned out to be a minor miracle, the same team has won four straight games in the post-season CBI tournament.
Robinson may not have won the coach of the year for the PAC-10, but he certainly deserves a special trip to the White House, win or lose in this best of three series.
We go into the first day of April, still playing basketball, which, before the season, no one thought would be possible for this team. However, coaching in college sports is as important as a pitcher is in baseball, and the brother-in-law of President Barack Obama has proved this point.
Thanks for reading:
Bob Kholos