CORVALLIS - Two years ago, Kendal Manuel was in a leg brace and moving on crutches through the snowy streets of Corvallis, from his freshman dorm to Gill Coliseum.
A line of students snaked around the arena, displaying the most enthusiasm the Oregon State guard had seen for a home game. The Beavers cruised to a dominant win over Oregon in front of a raucous crowd, the first sellout crowd for OSU in nearly four years.
At halftime, Manuel stayed at court level with then-senior forward Jarmal Reid, who was also injured.
"We were looking up like, 'This is a crazy experience,'" Manuel said.