Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2003
Slats Gill guided the 1963 men's basketball team to a record of 22-9 and the NCAA West Regional title with victories over Seattle, San Francisco, and No. 3 Arizona State. The school's last Final Four team, at the time of its enshrinement in 2003, fell to No. 1 Cincinnati in the semifinals and No. 2 Duke in the consolation game.
The Beavers were led by center Mel Counts, who averaged 21.3 points and 15.6 rebounds during his junior season. Counts was an All-American selection and was named the MVP of the '63 West Regional. Heisman Trophy winner Terry Baker averaged 13.4 points, while forward Steve Pauly added 9.2 and guard Frank Peters 9.1.
The team sputtered to a 2-3 start, before winning 10 of its next 11 contests. The Beavers captured the Far West Classic for the seventh consecutive time with victories over Idaho, California, and Iowa. The team also won three of four games against rival Oregon, including sweeping the Ducks in Eugene.
The team roster also included Lynn Baxter, Rex Benner, Tim Campbell, Grant Harter, Dave Hayward, Jim Jarvis, Jim Kraus, Gary Rossi, and Ray Torgerson. Paul Valenti served as the assistant coach, Bill Robertson as athletic trainer, Dr. Waldo Ball as the team physician, and Corky Smith as team manager.
Oregon State was the only school from the Pacific Northwest to participate in more than one Final Four, as of 2003.
