Wayne Tinkle on Drew Eubanks, other departures, recruiting reflections and goals

Oregon State men’s basketball is in the midst of a pivotal recruiting season.

The Beavers bounced back from a 5-27 season to go 16-16 but failed to reach the postseason for the second consecutive year. The offseason departures of Drew Eubanks, Ben Koné and Kendal Manuel gives OSU a total of four scholarships to reshape its roster around the core of Tres Tinkle, Stephen Thompson Jr., Ethan Thompson and Alfred Hollins.

Tinkle and Thompson Jr. are the primary remaining pieces from coach Wayne Tinkle’s first recruiting class, which ESPN ranked 19th in the nation and included the since-departed Eubanks. That group paid immediate dividends in helping the Beavers reach their first NCAA Tournament in…