The Ducks are still alive.
If Oregon hopes to keep its momentum going heading into the Pac-12 tournament March 12-15, it’s going to have to beat Arizona State on Tuesday night first. After getting blown out in the first half, the Ducks used a big second-half run to get back in the game but still lost 74-72 in the teams’ first meeting on Feb. 8.
Joseph Young scored 27 of his 29 points in the second half but was blocked by Sun Devils center Jordan Bachynski on a reverse layup at the buzzer that would have tied the game. @@two names checked@@
Players to watch
Oregon: Eyes should be on Damyean Dotson and Waverly Austin. While neither player is the team’s best on offense, they both do their best work on the defensive side of the ball, and that will be very important when facing Jahii Carson and Bachynski. Carson (11-12) and Bachynski (26-9) combined for 37 points and 21 rebounds while Bachynski added nine blocks in the win. If Dotson can use his length to bother Carson and Austin can use his strength to deny Bachynski any good looks, it could mean a victory for Oregon in the end.
Arizona State: Shaquielle McKissic and Jermaine Marshall. Both players have the possibility to provide big offensive games. If Carson or Bachynski struggle, McKissic or Marshall are going to have to pick up the slack to keep ASU in the game. Marshall is second on the team in scoring with over 15 points per game while McKissic scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds in the Feb. 8 win. The Ducks aren’t the greatest defensive team and if Marshall or McKissic can find a way to put up major points, look for ASU to pull this one out. @@five names checked@@
Matchup to watch
Oregon: How will Oregon’s press fair against Arizona State’s backcourt? In the last meeting, the Ducks were down by 21 points with 14:33 to play in the game before they went to a full-court press and promptly went on an 11-2 run over the next minute-and-a-half to get back into the game. The Sun Devils weren’t able to handle the pressure Oregon put on them. With the speedy Johnathan Loyd leading the way, the Ducks should be able to put the pressure on the Sun Devils again. @@name checked@@
Arizona State: Seven-foot-2 Bachysnki, 6-foot-10 Eric Jacobsen and 6-foot-7 Jonathan Gilling vs. 6-foot-11 Austin, 6-foot-8 Ben Carter, 6-foot-8 Mike Moser and 6-foot-8 Richard Amardi. Bachynski is the only one with a dominating low post game for ASU, so Jacobsen and Gilling are going to need to make a difference down low and take some pressure off Bachynski. Oregon is likely to substitute multiple defenders on the Sun Devils’ big men. To make a difference, the Ducks are going to have to crash the boards and out-hustle ASU. @@five names checked@@
What to Watch
This game could easily be decided in the last five minutes. The team with the most composure during that time will earn the much-needed victory. With five minutes left in the first game, ASU showed more composure by going nine-for-11 from the free throw line while the Ducks missed three layups and a dunk.
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka