Stanford guard Candice Wiggins, unassuming at first glance, proved even more awe-inspiring in person than described in sports sections and television highlight clips.
Think take-over-a-game good. Think game-changing good. Think Michael-Jordan-in-his-prime good.
Wiggins is also why Oregon, currently sitting with a 10-4 record, is only 1-3 in Pacific-10 Conference play. Oregon now travels on what has been a historically difficult road trip to play at Arizona State and Arizona.
Before looking at Oregon’s plight, let’s examine how Wiggins’ 14-for-21 shooting night last Saturday placed Oregon in this shaky position.
She started the game earnestly enough, making mid-range jumpers, three-pointers and lay ups.
The second half came next, where Wiggins’ performance changed from regular to record-setting. Her record-setting night included 37 points, which surpassed her previous career high of 31.
“Candice Wiggins took over that game,” at Oregon senior guard Chelsea Wagner said. “She’s not an All-American for no reason.”
Taken for what it is – a game against a national title contender – Oregon could be commended for its progress after graduating three elite talents last season.
The thing is, Oregon has larger goals than simple progress, where wins and losses become increasingly important in conference play. Wagner and senior guard Kedzie Gunderson didn’t return from injuries to have the season end early, but to continue Oregon’s success and make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The team this pair returned to relies on a deep bench and has no single star player. When Stanford needed points, the Cardinal knew exactly who would provide them.
With Oregon, it’s by committee, and when that works it’s fine. When it doesn’t, when Wiggins almost single-handedly started a 10-0 run to change a three-point deficit into a commanding 67-60 lead, the problem is alarming.
In Oregon’s case, it may be a process of growth.
“One player can’t always carry a team,”
Wagner said. “We’ve got five players that can carry a team instead of just one, and I think in the long run we’ll be more successful.”
Granted, part of Oregon’s problem can be attributed to the opponent’s press defense. UCLA used its press to turn a one-point lead into a rout in the conference opener.
Oregon needs a split on this Arizona trip, or more. If Oregon does that, it has a very winnable stretch the following four games with home games against the Washington schools and back-to-back contests with rival Oregon State.
To do so, Oregon must maintain its strong “35 minutes” of play and find that takeover mentality when a game is in doubt. If so, these aforementioned games should end with wins and move Oregon up the conference standings.
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