CORVALLIS -- After Oregon State trailed USC on Saturday midway through the first half, head coach Wayne Tinkle went to an unusual lineup.
He put all three scholarship freshmen -- Ethan Thompson, Alfred Hollins and Zach Reichle -- on the floor. The decision helped garner rest for some key starters, whom Tinkle has hoped to keep fresh throughout the season.
It also was a moment of greater collective independence that OSU (11-8) wants to see from that group heading into the final 11 games of the regular season.
"When they're engaged and they're called upon, they've all produced very well for us at different times," Tinkle said.