| 22 February 2011
Update: Oregon was clicking, shooting well over 50 percent, getting balanced scoring, and leading by 16. That was in the first half, and that advantage evaporated as the California Golden Bears dominated the final 20 minutes to get a much-needed victory, their seventh straight over the Ducks.
"After halftime, our energy level dropped way off,'' Ducks senior Joevan Catron said, as reported by The Oregonian. "It killed us.''
Guard Jorge Gutierrez led the charge, seemingly in the middle of everything positive for the Golden Bears. He was aggressive defensively, collecting pivotal steals that led to transition baskets to help California chip away at the deficit. Oregon went cold, but it was California's effort on both ends that turned the tables at Matthew Knight Arena.
Gutierrez scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half, relentlessly driving to the basket while also proving to be a deadly threat from the outside. He wasn't the only Golden Bear the Ducks had difficulty stopping, as fellow guards Allen Crabbe and Brandon Smith combined to drain eight of California's 10 threes in scoring 37 points. Usually solid, Oregon's defense was uncharacteristically poor. California was able to space the floor with ease, running a fast-paced, unselfish offense.
They had 19 assists on 28 field goals, an excellent ratio by college basketball's standards.
The Ducks had a tough time contesting three-pointers and other jumpers largely due to the Golden Bears inside threats. The abilities of Richard Solomon, Harper Kamp, and Markhuri Sanders-Frison often forced Oregon's guards to turn their heads and converge, leaving a pasing lane out to the perimeter and enough space for Crabbe, Smith, and Gutierrez to set up shop. As a result, California scored 81 points on 55 percent shooting. They outscored the Ducks by 21 in the second half, making 15 of their 24 field goal attempts.
Failing to stop California is nothing new for Oregon, as the Golden Bears scored 85 points in their previous meeting. With scoring coming from all positions for California once more, the Ducks suffered a deflating defeat.
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The Oregon Ducks, coming off a blowout win over the Oregon State Beavers, take a 14-12 record into their contest against the California Golden Bears. They lost their previous matchup, 85-77, but have certainly grown as a team since then, having won four of their past six games.
California is in the middle of the Pac-10, a half-game behind the Ducks with a 7-8 record in conference play. Since beating Oregon they have lost four of six games, struggling due to an inconsistent defense. In those four losses they have allowed a whopping 92 points per game, 14 points above their season average. This is why they are falling on a regular basis despite shooting 45 percent as a team.
They primarily play zone-defense, and this strategy is “a well-conceived plan,” head coach Mike Montgomery told The Daily Californian, but the plan hasn’t led to positive results.
After USC’s Maurice Jones torched the Golden Bears, Montgomery said, “We didn't get up to the shooter time and time again and he made them all.” He could say this about plenty of opposing players California has faced, and Oregon hope’s he will say it again after Thursday’s game.
The Ducks have plenty of shooters capable of fueling such a post-game quote. Jay-R Strowbridge, Malcolm Armstead, and Garrett Sim have shot efficiently from the perimeter, with Joevan Catron producing inside. Clicking as a unit, Oregon hasn’t had a difficult time scoring.
Complimenting their offensive ability Oregon has played very solid defense recently. They didn’t against California, as their opponent reached the free-throw line an incredible 41 times. Drawing contact is nothing new for the Golden Bears, as they have taken 712 free-throws this season, compared to only 469 for Oregon.
Forward Harper Kamp and guard Jorge Gutierrez have combined to take 308 of those attempts, which means Oregon must hone in on them. Kamp was in foul trouble their last meeting, but California didn't need their leading scorer to light up the Ducks. He will be especially motivated coming off such a disappointing showing, so Tyrone Nared and Catron must be prepared for plenty of him early and often.
The Ducks have settled into a groove defensively since allowing the Golden Bears to score 85 points, being active and aggressive without fouling. They must be similarly intelligent and disciplined to stave off déjà vu. Doing so will be challenging, as Kamp and Gutierrez aren't California's only threats. Freshman guard Allen Crabbe, who scored 18 points against the Ducks and is averaging 12 points and five rebounds this season, returned against UCLA after missing two games with a concussion. He will spread the floor along with Gutierrez, but even if the Ducks close out on shooters they must keep a keen eye on the forward alongside Kamp, Markhuri Sanders-Frison, who scored a then season-high 18 points in disposing of Oregon.
The task will be tough for the Ducks, but they have taken care of business at home, winners of four of their past five in Matthew Knight Arena.
If Oregon plays like they have lately, another win can be attained with March Madness right around the corner.
photo: daylife
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