| 08 March 2011
Over this deflating stretch, Oregon has allowed opponents to score an average of 85 points per game. Arizona State, in their second to last regular season game, scored the least amount of points of the four, 73, but crushed the Ducks nonetheless by a 19-point margin to sweep the season series. Aside from beating the Ducks twice the Sun Devils had just two conference victories. They will look to continue to be a thorn in Oregon's side, and, on an upswing after defeating Oregon State, the Sun Devils will have an excellent chance of ending the Ducks' season.
In beating the Ducks on March 3rd, Arizona State drained 16 three-pointers. Defending against the longball has been difficult for Oregon during the latter part of the season, and it comes down to a lack of discpline and experience. They did everything wrong on both ends against the Sun Devils, shooting poorly while letting their opponent easily impose their will. They were much better offensively in the season finale against Arizona, scoring 29 more points, but their misgivings defensively did them in once more.
When the Ducks were successful on defense they were constantly active.
Oregon pressured opponents to no end, while also intercepting passing lanes and closing out on shooters. That mindset has left them, but there's no reason it can't return. That said, it appears the season has worn on them and the team may be out of gas. Opponents jockying for position ahead of them have consistently brought much more intensity on a gamely basis. The Ducks have been routinely outmatched, most notably so against the Sun Devils. Given their struggles, putting that debilitating defeat behind them and learning from their mistakes could serve them well as they try to make a tournament run.
Arizona State is beaming with confidence, coming off two double-digit wins. In those two victories, they made 33 three-pointers, a long-range attack led by Ty Abbott and Rihards Kuksiks. Oregon not only had difficulty with them but point guard Jamelle McMillan as well, who was behind much of their success, dishing assists and swiping steals.
Oregon's outgoing seniors Jay-R Strowbridge and Joevan Catron have been their mainstays over the course of the season, but they will need a significant amount of help if they don't want to lose a third straight to Arizona State.
The Sun Devils appear to have their number, with three excellent talents in the starting lineup and a few sparkplugs off the bench, but Altman is confident they can get off the snide and prolong their season.
"If a team's better than you, then their chances of beating you three times is pretty good," he told The Oregonian. "Now, I don't think Arizona State's better than us. They've beaten us twice, so we're going to have to go out and prove that they're not.''
photo: daylife
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