CORVALLIS - His name is Gligorije Rakocevic, but the Oregon State 6-foot-11 senior post has been called 'Big G' since he arrived on campus in 2015.

But there's a change this season for Rakocevic. He's down 20 pounds to 250 heading into Tuesday's season opener against UC Riverside in Gill Coliseum. A native of Montenegro, Rakocevic is no longer the team's most noticeable big guy, either. The Beavers added four players, ranging from 6-10 to 7-0, to this season's roster.

Some have proposed that a new nickname is in order, like Medium G. Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle suggests "More Mobile G."

Rakovecic is having none of it.

"I'm still going to be Big G," Rakocevic said. "Always going to be known as Big G so they know who is the alpha on this team."

Tinkle would settle for Dependable G. More than a few minutes at a time G. Starting center G.

With a roster that has veterans and talent at guard and wing, Oregon State could use one good big man to finish the lineup. The Beavers have incredible size, but three (Warren Washington, Kylor Kelley, Jack Wilson) have never played a minute of Division I basketball, and another, Payton Dastrup, is ineligible as a Brigham Young transfer.

UC Riverside at Oregon State

6 p.m. Tuesday, Gill Coliseum

TV: Pac-12 Networks

Which leaves Rakocevic. He has an 86-game Oregon State resume, including 14 starts as a sophomore. A year ago, Rakocevic played in 27 games, but averaged less than 11 minutes a game. He couldn't go for more than few minutes at a stretch, as conditioning or fouls got in the way.

Tinkle felt that closer to 250 pounds, instead of 270, Rakocevic was More Useful G.

"With him getting in better shape, hopefully he can play more minutes, and we'll see how that translates," Tinkle said. "He plays the right way. We expect a lot of leadership and a lot of production out of him. He's one of the most experienced bigs in the league. He knows our system. It's his last go-round. It's on his shoulders to lead that group of young bigs."

Tinkle has had this conversation with Rakocevic before. Prior to his sophomore year, Rakocevic changed his diet to get in better shape. But the sticking point has often been a clash of playing style. Rakocevic wants to be the big, physical banger who takes control of the paint. Tinkle has no problem with that, but he also believes Rakocevic can run and occasionally play facing the basket with increased mobility.

Rakocevic didn't emerge from his junior season with a plan to trim 20 pounds. It just happened. Rakocevic went home to play with his national team. The daily workouts led to weight loss.

"I started feeling better," Rakocevic said. "I can run better, jump better and I can be able to provide more for my team."

Rakocevic came back to Oregon State with the idea of becoming a difference maker. What he found was a situation completely different than his first three years with the Beavers.

Instead of the daily inside banging with Drew Eubanks, Rakocevic found the four newcomers. Eubanks, who left school after his junior year and currently a forward with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, is one of Rakocevic's closest friends, his roommate the first three years at OSU.

Rakocevic said he and Eubanks talk or text almost every day.

"It was weird at first when Drew left. We're pretty much brothers," Rakocevic said.

But the opportunity to practice against others, after three years of Eubanks, has energized Rakocevic.

"It's gets old, playing against the same guy every single day. I'm not going to lie," Rakocevic said.

There's diversity among Oregon State's new big men. Washington has a variety of offensive skills. Wilson is a banger. Kelley can hit 3s, and play inside. Dastrup has experience and a face-to-the-basket game.

"I'm excited," Rakocevic said. "You get to see how other people play, how to defend different players, different positions. I've never got to experience anything like this before."

Tinkle says his new teammates should broaden Rakocevic's game. Tinkle would like to start Rakocevic, and see what he can do beyond a few trips up and down the floor.

Big G? The Beavers hope to see Big Game G in 2018-19.

--Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel