OSU Coach Scott Rueck Questions Future of Oregon Rivalry After Wednesday’s Contest
EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon State women’s basketball coach Scott rueck indicated Wednesday he would prefer the Beavers discontinue their non-conference rivalry games with the University of Oregon, citing the disruption caused by conference realignment and a desire to stabilize the program. The statement came after Oregon defeated Oregon State 83-77 in a tightly contested game at Matthew Knight Arena.
Rueck acknowledged the historical importance of the in-state rivalry, but expressed concern about maintaining its meaning amidst the changing college basketball landscape. “I think it should just be put on hold for a minute as we’re recalibrating,” Rueck said. “Obviously going from the same conference to different conferences. There’s too much unrest right now in our world that we’re trying to stabilize to enter back into something that’s been so special for so long for those of us who’ve been a part of it our entire life.”
The game featured standout performances from both sides.Oregon’s Endyia Rogers lead all scorers with 23 points and 14 assists, while Oregon State’s Jenna Villa posted a career-high 27 points.
Despite a competitive second half, Rueck pointed to recent tournament results - Oregon’s first-round win over Vanderbilt (88-66) last year, a team that previously defeated Oregon State 88-66 in the Paradise Jam tournament - as evidence of a growing competitive gap. “It’s not that OSU can’t compete with teams of vanderbilt or Oregon’s caliber… It’s about preserving something meaningful while the gap is wider than it’s ever been,” he explained.
Several players had connections to the state of Oregon. OSU’s Tiara Bolden is from Eugene, and teammate Kennedie Shuler, a former star at Sam Barlow High School in portland, made her second career appearance in Eugene. Villa, a Washington State transfer, previously competed against Rogers on the high school circuit in Washington.
Notably, Oregon’s Rogers is represented by Klutch sports, LeBron james’ agency, and was once a recruit for Oregon State, with staff reportedly possessing photos of her in beavers gear. Rueck stated that, were it his decision, he “probably would’ve gone somewhere else with this game.” He suggested revisiting the rivalry “in a few years” after the program has “get[ten] our bearings back” and is ready to “re-up.”
