Oregon State coach Craig Robinson might have some pull with the POTUS, but it's been a slow go with the NCAA clearinghouse and the eligibility questions surrounding highly regarded freshman Roberto Nelson.

Nelson, a 6-foot-4 guard and the jewel of Robinson's impressive recruiting class, has been partially cleared to practice, but is now considering using his redshirt year so his first season won't be an incomplete one.

"Now we’re getting to the point where he could get cleared to play and we have to make a decision whether or not it makes sense for him to play the Pac-10 season or wait till next season," Robinson told reporters today. "We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Fellow freshmen in guard Jared Cunningham along with post players Joe Burton and Angus Brandt have contributed, but the Beavers have also been without injured forward Rhys Murphy.

The Beavers will get thrown in the fire early, going up against defending conference champion Washington on the road to open Pac-10 play.

The Huskies are the Pac-10's only ranked team, but could be without a fully healthy Isaiah Thomas after the guard tweaked an ankle playing against San Francisco.