| 05 March 2011
The Oregon Ducks, on a three-game skid, play for pride as they prepare for battle against the 18th-ranked Arizona Wildcats, a team playing for the Pac-10 title. Coming off one of their worst performances of the year, Oregon appears to have run out of steam, and on the road against a far superior team they will have to play nearly flawless basketball in order to come out on top.
They don't have much positive to hang their hat on, but forward Joevan Catron is only 21 points shy of becoming the 30th Duck to score 1,000 points. He had only five against Arizona State, and will have his hands full with Derrick Williams, who has already surpassed the 1,000-point threshold in just two seasons, entering with 1,056.
Williams is the only Arizona player who is averaging double-digit scoring, at 19 per game. He is shooting a mind-boggling 60 percent from the field and from three-point range. He doesn't take many three-pointers, instead looking to put his 6'8" 240-pound frame to use by driving to the basket and creating a tremendous amount of contact. He averages nine free-throw attempts per game, so his power and versatility on offense creates a defensive challenge for the Ducks that, given their recent play, may not be ready for.
There's a reason this could be his last regular-season game with Arizona.
Through all the struggles, Oregon's guards have managed to continue contributing. Jay-R Strowbridge shot poorly against the Sun Devils, like every other Duck, but he was extremely aggressive, taking 16 field goals, including 11 three-pointers, en route to 17 points. Fellow guard Garrett Sim also had a respectable game, scoring 10 points on 4-7 shooting while dishing four assists. He was the only Oregon player to shoot above 33 percent from the field, 4-7.
To have a shot against Arizona the Ducks need scoring from everyone, but most importantly from their guards. They spread the floor, and they have been the most aggressive group over the course of the season. Johnathan Loyd, Malcolm Armstead, and Teondre Williams, all players who will see solid minutes, need to break out of their slumps and step up.
Though Williams is the main threat for Arizona they have plenty of surrounding talent to put together a balanced attack. Forward Solomon Hill and guards LaMont Jones and Kevin Parrom scored in double-figures against Oregon State, while junior point guard Kyle Fogg dished six assists. Riding high with one of thei best players in college basketball, Arizona is primed to finish atop the conference.
Oregon will give everything they have to trump that probability.
photo: daylife
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