The winningest team in the history of Oregon State men's basketball was the 1980-81 Oregon State Beavers. The “Orange Express”, coached by Ralph Miller, won the Pac-10 title for the second straight year. During a 26-game winning streak, they were ranked #1 or 2 in the nation for twelve consecutive weeks.
An exceptional passing team, the Beavers averaged assists on 69.2% of their baskets, shot .564 from the field, and out scored their opponents by 15.7 points a game. Center Steve Johnson led the way in his All-America senior season. Johnson averaged 21.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Senior guards Ray Blume and Mark Radford both averaged in double figures. The entire starting lineup which also included Lester Conner and freshman Charlie Sitton were all bound for NBA careers. Ralph Miller was named National Coach of the Year.
Oregon State started the season with 26 consecutive wins, including another Far West Classic tournament championship. They defeated five ranked opponents and squeezed in a quick turnaround East Coast trip for a victory at St. Johns. The first loss came on the final day of Pac-10 play to #5 ranked Arizona State at Gill Coliseum.
That magical season came to a shocking end one week later at the West Regional at Pauly Pavilion in Los Angeles. Kansas State held OSU to a season-low 48 points and the infamous Rolando Blackman tip-in ended the Beavers season at 26-2. The team is also an inductee of the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame.
1980-81 Oregon State Beavers: Roster – Ray Blume, William Brew, Lester Conner, Danny Evans, Rob Holbrook, Steve Johnson, Raymond Lankford, Bill McShane, Mark Radford, Charlie Sitton, Jamie Stangel, Jeff Stout, Alan Tait, Jeff Wilson Staff – Head Coach: Ralph Miller, Assistant Coach: Jim Anderson, Assistant Coach: Lanny Van Eman, Assistant Coach: Steve Seidler, Student Assistant Coach: Andy McClousky