Oregon State Opens Joyner Era Against Weber State
The Beavers begin the 2026-27 season under new coach Justin Joyner with a roster rebuilt around size and transfers.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball
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Oregon State men's basketball opens the 2026-27 season November 2 at home against Weber State under first-year coach Justin Joyner. The roster has been largely rebuilt, with only Josiah Lake II returning from last year's team.
Why it matters
Joyner and his staff have prioritized size, believing it will be essential to competing in the reshaped Pac-12. The program is aiming to return to the NCAA Tournament after a period away from it.
Josiah Lake II, the lone returner from last season, led Oregon State with 13.1 points per game. Oregon State plays 11 nonconference home games with no true road games.
The players
Justin Joyner
Joyner is Oregon State's new men's basketball head coach, leading the program's rebuild around size and transfers.
Kevin Griffin
Griffin is Oregon State's athletic director, who reported that season ticket sales are slightly ahead of last year.
The details
Oregon State added transfers Daniel Freitag from Buffalo and DeShawn Gory from Fresno State and fielded four players listed at 6-foot-11 or taller. The Beavers played preseason exhibitions against Michigan and Cal before opening the regular season at home.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Oregon State opens its season hosting Weber State.
March 2027: The Beavers' defensive play is expected to matter in the NCAA Tournament.
Season Trajectory
Oregon State's roster rebuild responds directly to the reshaped Pac-12 that emerged from recent conference realignment, where Joyner and his staff judged size as essential. The Beavers' goal of a return to the NCAA Tournament will be measured against that new competitive landscape.
Fans planning to attend early home games can expect a full nonconference slate at home, which may affect ticket demand as season ticket sales run slightly ahead of last year. Fantasy and betting followers should note that Lake's 13.1 points per game is the main returning production benchmark for the roster.
The takeaway
Oregon State's transfer-heavy, tall roster is a test of whether size and fresh pieces can translate into the postseason success the program is chasing. Track early results against Weber State and the nonconference slate to see how quickly the new group comes together.
What happens next
Oregon State's home schedule continues through its opening stretch, with the NCAA Tournament the next major milestone in March 2027.
Further reading
For more on the team's home-court context, see Basketball coverage for Corvallis.
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