A long conference losing streak will come to an end Thursday at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, Calif.
Oregon (12-13, 3-11 Pacific-10 Conference) hopes to snap its seven-game losing streak against California (14-12, 6-9 Pac-10). The Golden Bears have dropped their last five games, falling into a tie for sixth in the conference with Washington, after injuries have weakened their overall depth.
The Ducks stand alone in ninth place, ahead of only Oregon State.
“We’ve been setting the tone in practice (for this week),” Oregon head coach Paul Westhead said. “We’ll be ready to go.”
Westhead’s fast-break offense has been slowed for long stretches this season, for more reasons than the knee injuries to junior point guard Nia Jackson, who is expected to miss her fifth-straight game.
Cal was able to do just that at Matthew Knight Arena on Jan. 29, picking up an 81-65 win. All five Golden Bears starters had double-digit point totals, led by Layshia Clarendon’s 19 points.
Where Oregon had its greatest trouble in that game was in the post. Cal center Talia Caldwell had 17 points and 11 rebounds (eight offensive), while power forward DeNesha Stallworth added 15 points and six rebounds. The Ducks allowed 21 offensive rebounds — and 24 second-chance points — as the Golden Bears dominated the glass to a 43-29 advantage.
“They definitely have a dominating post presence,” junior forward Amanda Johnson said.
Cal is unafraid of a fast tempo thanks to the speed and agility of starting guards Clarendon and Eliza Pierre. The 5-foot-7 Pierre is the conference leader in steals (2.96 per game) and ranks sixth in the Pac-10 with 3.62 assists per game. Clarendon averages 3.46 assists per game, the seventh-best mark in the conference.
“We’re fine-tuning our press to prepare for them,” Johnson said.
Over the course of the season, Cal has averaged 18.0 turnovers per game (seventh in the Pac-10) for the second-worst turnover margin in conference (-1.08 per game). Only Oregon State (-1.80 per game) has a lower turnover margin.
Should the Ducks take care of the ball, fast-break opportunities — which have been fleeting over the past seven games — may be available, and the offense may jump-start itself from there.
“We’ve gotten some decent fast-break opportunities,” senior guard Tatianna Thomas said. “We have to take it four minutes at a time, rather than 40 minutes at a time. It’s a different mentality. We have to generate more fast-break opportunities. If you don’t (in a four-minute interval), put it behind you and start over.”
Thomas has been installed as the backup point guard for the Ducks until Jackson returns, behind freshman Ariel Thomas. Sophomore walk-on Laura Stanulis is also available to Westhead.
The Golden Bears’ lack of depth portends poorly toward a physical game; Cal is tied for 20th in the nation for fewest number of fouls called. Primed to run fast and for long stretches, Oregon intends to use its system to exploit all possible advantage against a physically talented, yet vulnerable, opponent.
“We’re getting out there, pressing and running, trying to drill the system into our heads,” Johnson said.
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