The Four Factors:
• Field goal percentage (eFG): Regular field goal percentage with additional weight given to three-pointers
• Turnover rate (TOV): Measurement of ball security
• Rebounding percentage (Reb): Percentage of the possible rebounds an offense or defense collects
• Free throw rate (FTR): Rate at which a team gets to the foul line, or fouls the opposing team
A lot has changed since Oregon dropped a 85-77 decision to Washington in Seattle.
To start, Oregon has gained a bit of an identity on both offense and defense. Its ball movement has improved and its communication on defense has improved.
But the biggest factor in Wednesday’s game has nothing to do with Oregon at all. The dismissal of Washington’s 7-footer Robert Upshaw, who averaged 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and a nation leading 4.47 blocks per game, has already made a significant impact on how the Huskies defend.
In the first game after Upshaw’s dismissal, Stanford center Stefan Nastic dominated the Huskies, going 8-11 from the field for 17 points. The Cardinal amassed a 52 percent shooting percentage, with a large portion of those baskets coming from the lane.
So, the Four Factors for this game should be disrupted slightly, particularly in Washington’s rebounding and shooting percentages. The statistics used in the diagrams account for Washington’s entire season, which includes Upshaw’s contributions.

Washington runs an inside-out offense, as Upshaw wasn’t the only threat the Huskies had down low. Senior forward Shawn Kemp and junior forward Mike Anderson are both capable rebounders and inside scorers, but after those two, Washington’s front court depth comparable to Oregon’s.
On the perimeter, Nigel Williams Goss is a servicable slashing guard while Andrew Andrews sticks on the perimeter. The Huskies aren’t a very good perimeter team at all, as they rank last in the Pac-12 in three point percentage. Their high expected field goal percentage comes from their good two point shooting percentage, which ranks third in the Pac-12 at 50 percent.
With Upshaw out, Oregon should have an advantage in all of the four offensive factors.
The Huskies were a popular pick to make the NCAA Tournament because of their stellar defense, which was almost completely anchored by Upshaw’s presence. Washington is ranked fifth in the conference in field goal percentage against at 42.4 percent, and second in two point field goal percentage against at 44.3 percent.
After Stanford’s offensive performance against the Huskies, it was obvious to see that Upshaw’s rim-protection was the biggest factor in Washington’s success. Even if he didn’t pick up a statistic on plays, Upshaw’s frame prevented easy trips to the basket and adjusted nearly every shot that he could stand in front of. Without him, Washington’s defense took a big step backward.
If Oregon can attack the basket against a team without a strong rim protector, like it did in the first half of its game against Arizona State, the Ducks will succeed.
Follow Josh Schlichter on Twitter @joshschlichter