Kelly Graves has long placed an emphasis on turnovers during his Oregon tenure.
He especially stresses limiting “live ball turnovers,” turnovers that come off bad passes, steals or other fast-break scenarios.
The Ducks struggled last weekend in Los Angeles, committing 21 turnovers against USC and 20 against UCLA. In Pac-12 play, Oregon ranks first in total turnovers with 17.2 a game. Arizona State is second with 16.2 a game.
Colorado, meanwhile, ranks first in forced turnovers with 18.0 a game.
“We can’t have as many live ball turnovers as we have been having,” junior Lexi Bando said. “Teams are going to key in on that, but I think our point guards — this weekend will be really good for them. I don’t think you’ll see that from them.”
Bando said having the team’s male practice players more readily available has helped the team adjust to the Pac-12’s athleticism.
“They’re really strong,” Bando said. “They’re like a little mini Pac-12 team. I think that’s really been helping us.”
They help to simulate intensity and speed, which are staples of conference play.
“It has helped to have the guys again,” Graves said. “We’re not an in-your-face defense. It’s hard to simulate what we’re seeing with some of the teams in league. It’s been nice to have guys back in school. They hadn’t been around for a month.”
Against the Trojans, Oregon matched its season high in turnovers. The Ducks also had 21 turnovers against Washington State, but limited turnovers against the Bay Area schools. Stanford and Oregon both forced 11 Oregon turnovers on the road.
Oregon, however, had 14 turnovers in the first half against then-ranked No. 17 UCLA.
“That’s probably the biggest thing we’ve taken out of the last two games,” Morgan Yaeger said of turnovers. “We’ve played two really, really athletic teams and it’s just exposed us a little, so we’re working on it a lot.”
Yaeger said the Ducks continue to work on passing drills, protecting the ball and making good decisions with the pressure on. Part of it, she said, is confidence. The Ducks also throw six or seven players on defense during practice. A few will roam around to mirror in-game pressure.
“We haven’t shown that we’ve been very good at hanging onto the ball,” Graves said. “That’s been our downfall the last couple of weekends. Against good teams, you just can’t give them extra possessions.”
Graves anticipates that his team will continue to improve its ball-handing skills as conference play rolls along. He said Sabrina Ionescu (thumb) and Maite Cazorla (foot) have played “tentative’ as they continue to heal.
The Ducks anticipate that Cazorla may not return to 100 percent this season. Cazorla was the Ducks’ leader in assist-to-turnover ratio last season.
“I don’t know if she will be [her old self] the whole year,” Graves said. “It’s an injury that’s just going to linger. She needs months of rest. That’s the only remedy. She’s a tough kid and I think she’s learning she’s tougher than she thinks she is.”
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne