In the midst of football Civil War week, the No. 23 Oregon women’s basketball team quietly prepares for its season-opening game against No. 18 Wisconsin Saturday with its second exhibition game today at 7 p.m. at McArthur Court.
Forward Angelina Wolvert prefers the spotlight being elsewhere as the Ducks prepare for their season.
“It’s good for us right now that football is doing well and the focus is not on our team,” Wolvert said. “It keeps us from getting big heads. Press can be good and press can be bad — right now, I think it’s good that we don’t have it, and we don’t have a lot of pressure on us.”
Oregon faces National Women’s Basketball League Elite, a semi-pro team. Last Saturday, the NWBL Elite lost to Utah, 81-41.
The Ducks’ offense has yet to be tested thoroughly. Although it did outscore RTU Clondica 85-56 Nov. 3, it was only able to run one offensive set because its traveling opponent played a zone defense the entire game.
Head coach Jody Runge sees today’s matchup as a final tune-up before playing a ranked team on the road this weekend.
“I’m hoping to see a lot more intensity and preparation for playing teams in the top 20 this weekend,” she said.
Today’s exhibition is also the final tune-up for Oregon’s inexperienced guards, who lost starter Shaquala Williams to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in mid-September. Players such as back-up point guard Alissa Edwards hope to get settled in the Ducks’ system before the season starts.
Guard/forward Lindsey Dion, who tore cartilage in her right knee Oct. 5, will play tonight for the first time this season. Her presence should give Oregon both an offensive and defensive boost heading into Saturday’s game.
“It feels really good,” Dion said about her knee. “When I’m playing, it is 100 percent, but it’s sore afterward. But that’s to be expected, and I don’t think that will go away until I’m done playing basketball.”