This isn’t how the Oregon men’s basketball team envisioned ending its season.
Especially not after beating Oregon State 84-66 on Jan. 6 to move to 10-1 at the time — the best Oregon start in the head coach Ernie Kent era.
But since that win, the Ducks have nose-dived all the way down to 4-13 in the Pacific-10 Conference and face the cold reality of the following:
Oregon must beat Oregon State at 7 p.m. Saturday in Corvallis just to become NIT eligible.
“It’s been frustrating, but still having a chance to go to the postseason is nice,” said senior Flo Hartenstein, who will play in his 112th game in a Ducks uniform. “But really, it doesn’t matter against Oregon State. I mean, you never want to lose to them. They’ve only beaten us once in the last 15 games and we have to keep it that way.
“We don’t want them thinking they can beat us.”
The last time that the Beavers did beat the Ducks was a 48-45 victory on Jan. 30, 1999, at Gill Coliseum. Before that, though, Oregon State hadn’t won since Feb. 12, 1994.
Still, the Beavers (10-19 overall, 4-13 Pac-10) have been playing solidly as of late, including victories over Washington (83-69) and Southern California (67-52). They’ve also impressed even in defeat, as in their overtime losses to California (72-69) and UCLA (68-65).
“I know they’re going to be waiting for us and ready to go,” Oregon freshman Luke Ridnour said. “They are playing really good right now.”
The game will feature two teams with contrasting styles of play. Oregon State likes to slow the pace down and use up the shot clock whenever possible, while the Ducks are at their best when they can run-and-gun.
“The key will be who can best get into their style of play,” Kent said. “This is going to be a big game over in that environment, especially with their seniors’ last game.”
One of those seniors is Oregon State point guard Deaundra Tanner, who is averaging 11 points per game. Ridnour expects Tanner to bring his “A” game and is looking forward to the challenge.
“He’s going to go at me,” Ridnour said. “It’s his last game, he’s had a good career and I’m sure he wants to go out with a win — especially against Oregon. We have to match their intensity.”
For first-year Beavers coach Ritchie McKay, this season has been “disappointing,” as Oregon State has endured much adversity (injuries, suspensions, violations, etc.) and has played with a roster that has ranged from only six to nine players.
“We expected more from ourselves, but success can’t be measured in the number of W’s,” McKay said. “I expect an incredibly hard-fought battle Saturday, and hope that we’ll play with the same type of urgency that we have been lately.”
As for the Ducks, they know that one final win won’t erase their many losses, but a Civil War victory would surely help raise their morale as they head into the off-season.
“It’s going to leave a better taste in our mouths if we win,” Ridnour said. “When I see people on the street they say, ‘Go beat the Beavers.’ It’s a big deal, and we have to win for the town of Eugene.”
Oregon’s Freddie Jones added, “You never want a losing season.”