| 02 March 2011
Update: The Oregon Ducks have been dealt tough losses this season, but nothing like this. Arizona State torched them from deep, moving the ball with ease to bury their opponent by twenty and win the season-series. In capturing just their third conference win, the Sun Devils made 16 three-pointers, shot 47 percent from the field, and assisted on 22 of their 25 field goals. They were able to do whatever they wanted against the Ducks, an opponent that once again put up little resistance defensively.
“We didn’t compete like we had been, back when we got a few wins,’’ Oregon guard Garrett Sim said, as reported by The Oregonian. “I think we’re all kind of disappointed in how we played.’’
They should be. Arizona State came out with a tremendous amount of confidence, hitting from everywhere, but their ability to score relentlessly from the outside was in part Oregon's doing. The Ducks went on an impressive win-streak earlier this season, as Sim alluded to, but they have since hit a wall both offensively and defensively. Oregon made 10 three-pointers, yet converted on only six two-pointers in shooting 29 percent overall.
Sun Devils' guards Ty Abbott and Rihards Kuksiks particularly took advantage of Oregon's lacking defense, hitting 13 three-pointers in 27 attempts, letting it fly whenever they pleased. On the other side, the Ducks stars had a difficult time, as the trio of Joevan Catron, Tyrone Nared, and Malcolm Armstead combined to make five field goals. Jay-R Strowbridge was their lone bright spot as the most aggressive Duck, scoring 17 points, but even he missed seven three-pointers and eleven shots overall. It was a game to forget for the now sub .500 Ducks, while the Sun Devils will take great pleasure watching the game-tape.
In winning, Arizona State has something to build upon, having played their best basketball of the season. In losing their third-straight, Oregon continues their search for answers as they try to move on and end their tumultuous season on a high note against Arizona.
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The Oregon Ducks are one of three teams in the Pac-10 conference with two-game losing streaks. Their next foe, the Arizona State Sun Devils, is a member of this unfortunate group. Can Oregon right the ship and continue the Sun Devils woes?
Losing hasn’t been foreign to either team, but particularly for Arizona State. In falling by 16 points on senior day against USC, the Sun Devils are now 10-18 overall and 2-14 in conference. That loss was their 11th in 12 games, but they did manage to defeat Oregon the first time around, 60-55, in the Ducks final game at Mac Court.
The Ducks, despite their recent slide, have developed much more chemistry since that first meeting and are looking for revenge. They were then in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, still trying to get used to head coach Dana Altman’s style. They played their way out of that slump on the back of their guards, the steady play of forward Joevan Catron, and aggressive defense.
On the other side, the Sun Devils are playing for “pride”, says sophomore Trent Lockett, as reported by The Arizona Central. They have a lot of work to do if they want to defeat Oregon, especially if the Ducks manage to execute on defense, something they haven’t done lately.
Over the weekend against UCLA and USC, Arizona State had a combined six assists. Totaling so few is uncharacteristic, as they rank fourth in the conference in this category, but mustering these measly amounts was due to their increased inability to produce against solid defenses.
One of the main reasons why they struggled this season is their inexperience, as they have only two seniors on their roster, guards Jamelle McMillan and second-leading scorer Ty Abbott, a long-range threat. Their youth has led to a more sustained version of Oregon’s slump. Like them, the Ducks have shot poorly while also struggling to hold opponents in check.
One of the Sun Devils many underclassmen, Lockett, has been their best player this season. Averaging 13 points and five rebounds, he has consistently been aggressive inside and out. He didn’t play against Oregon in January, but the Ducks will see plenty of him.
Oregon meets their match in height, at least on the frontline, as Arizona State’s Kyle Cain center is listed at 6’7”. He isn't much of an offensive threat so it's just a matter if their guards can be stopped.
Oregon has had had trouble defensively of late, and with the Pac-10 Tournament around the corner, now is the time to step up on both ends of the floor.
photo: daylife
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