CORVALLIS - Craig Robinson hopes he's not the only author in the Oregon State basketball program.

The coach is writing his first book, on his family's history and values, and he thinks senior guard Joey McConnell has a book in him as well - one that any gym rat with big dreams would want to read.

McConnell is a former walk-on who earned a scholarship his final season. He joined the Beavers four years ago after OSU players saw him competing in pickup games at the Dixon Recreation Center.

"He's a great role model," Robinson said. "I told the guys who are walk-ons that Joey McConnell should write a book about being a good walk-on because he's a terrific example of what one should be."

McConnell took David Sturner, Kevin McShane and Chris Richard under his wing this year. Sturner earned playing time early in the season before getting mono, and McShane has started the last two games.

"I told them that sometimes it's tough," McConnell said. "If you want high reward, you have to put in the work and make the guys ahead of you better. You might get some opportunities here and there, like how I earned starts last season."

The Madras High alum will suit up for his final regular-season home games tonight against Stanford and Saturday afternoon against California before the Beavers finish the season with three road contests.

"It has been a great experience," McConnell said. "I've been able to do a lot of cool things here. I went through the hard times with the previous teams, and this year things are going a lot better."

McConnell has earned the respect of his teammates, and that's what he feels is the most important thing for a walk-on.

He became a leader, too. When Robinson instituted the 5:30 a.m. practices at the beginning of the season McConnell was the one who sent text messages to teammates to hurry up if they were running late so the team wouldn't be punished for someone oversleeping.

Never a main player during games - he's gotten into 24 of them, for a total of 118 minutes - he has always been a vital scout team member. His job is replicating what opposing guards do.

"At times you battle whether or not it's worth it," McConnell said. "But the reward for me is being part of something, building something special. It has been a great opportunity to allow me to grow as a person. It prepares me for the real world and how things go."

McConnell averaged 11.8 minutes while playing in eight games last year, but his minutes have dropped to 10 total in six games this season with the new coaching staff.

However, watching his teammates have some success has been rewarding.

"I never let playing time be a factor," McConnell said. "That's not why I did it. I did it because I love basketball."

BEAVERS

Today: Stanford (15-8, 4-8) at OSU (11-13, 5-8), 7 p.m.

TV: None.

Radio: KEJO-AM, 1240.

Saturday: Cal at OSU, 2 p.m.