Oregon State acknowledges roster uncertainty over move to WCC - ESPN

ALBANY, N.Y. — Oregon State plays for a chance to make the Final Four against No. 1 South Carolina on Sunday. But when the season comes to an end, coach Scott Rueck knows he will have to confront questions about the future, and the very real possibility that teams might begin poaching his players.

Rueck remains focused on the task at hand, but also acknowledged that reality during a press conference Saturday previewing the matchup against the Gamecocks. Making it to the Elite Eight in its final Pac-12 season, with a young team that features no seniors, has been incredibly gratifying for Rueck.

But what comes next, and a fear that players may leave through the transfer portal, does not have him necessarily worried today. It will be something that must be addressed, though.

«That's reality,» Rueck said. «I can't control that, other than just keep doing what I'm doing. I think the opportunity within that for a leader provides a discipline that you'd better be on your A game all the time. You'd better take care of people, and you'd better provide a great experience. That's the approach going forward, and what happens happens. We'll find a way.»

Raegan Beers acknowledged that midway through the season, she could not help but think about what realignment would mean for her future, and the future of her team. Following the breakup of the Pac-12, Oregon State will move to the West Coast Conference to play basketball and will no longer be in a Power 5 conference.

Beers said she had a conversation with Rueck before their NCAA tournament run began as a way to clear her mind.

«When that was first announced, I thought about it a lot,» Beers said. «Especially in January, I thought about it a ton, just what's it going to look like next