Oregon State Drops Exhibition Match to Michigan

The Beavers fell 98-93 in a road exhibition game against the Michigan basketball program.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball

Oregon State Drops Exhibition Match to Michigan

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Oregon State men's basketball team lost 98-93 to Michigan in an exhibition contest. DeShawn Gory led the Beavers with 20 points in the loss.

Why it matters

The exhibition serves as a key tune-up for Oregon State as they integrate a new roster under head coach Justin Joyner. The coaching staff is focused on chemistry following an offseason trip to British Columbia.

DeShawn Gory led the Beavers with 20 points in the exhibition matchup. The team trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half before narrowing the gap to just 3 points by halftime.

The players

Justin Joyner

He is the head coach of the Oregon State men's basketball team.

DeShawn Gory

He is a player for the Oregon State men's basketball team.

Josiah Lake

He is the only returning player on the Oregon State roster from the previous season.

The details

Head coach Justin Joyner, who previously spent seven years as an assistant at Saint Mary's, is working to build cohesion with a squad that features only one returning player in Josiah Lake. The coaching staff has been actively involved in weight room sessions and practice drills to help the new group prepare for upcoming challenges.

August 2026: Team played three exhibition games in British Columbia.
October 17, 2026: Oregon State lost the exhibition game to Michigan.
October 24, 2026: Oregon State plays exhibition game against California.
November 2, 2026: Oregon State starts the regular season against Weber State.

Season Trajectory

This early exhibition test helps define the team's identity as they transition to a new era of competition. The Beavers aim to build on this performance to secure an upper-tier finish in the Pac-12 standings throughout the 2026-2027 season.

Oregon State must address their defensive consistency after trailing by double digits early in the Michigan game. Fans should monitor the rotation during the upcoming October 24 exhibition against California to see if the team stabilizes its defensive output before the season opener.

The takeaway

The team is relying heavily on newly integrated players to fill the gap left by departures, making early exhibition minutes critical for development. Consistent participation in shared practice drills remains the primary focus for the coaching staff to ensure players are ready by November.