Brittney Hawks stands 6-foot-2, averages 12.9 points per game, and led the Pacific-10 Conference in double-doubles with 12.
In other words, the senior center is probably Washington State’s only chance to complete an upset against the seventh-seeded Ducks tonight at McArthur Court.
“I’m an optimistic person and I think it’s good that we have tournaments like these,” Hawks said in reference to the Pac-10 Tournament, which begins at 6:30 tonight with the Ducks and Cougars at McArthur Court. “I think our team has totally improved in every game we’ve been playing in.”
The first team in Pac-10 women’s basketball history to finish without a win, the Cougars (2-26 overall) have not fared well against Oregon in their two games this season. The Ducks dominated at Mac Court, 76-47, in December, then did it again, 88-47, last week in Pullman, Wash.
However, Washington State knows that Oregon cannot overlook them. In a short tournament, any team can win.
“I don’t believe Oregon is looking past us,” Washington State guard Whitney Martindale said. “I think we’ve earned a lot of respect from teams across the league. They know we have a lot of heart and I don’t think any team is looking past us.”
For the Cougars to be successful this time around, Hawks needs to have a big game. She scored 16 points against the Ducks this season, eight in both games.
Hawks can pose a problem down low for the Oregon defense. Freshman Andrea Bills and sophomore Cathrine Kraayeveld are both 6-foot-3, but are relatively inexperienced compared to Hawks.
Hawks “works hard and she has size so you have to go in and battle with her,” Oregon senior Ndidi Unaka said.
The Ducks were golden against the Cougars the last time these two teams played.
Junior Shaquala Williams was perfect from the field, nailing 9-of-9 shots to lead the Ducks in points with 24 in 24 minutes.
Senior Edniesha Curry played only 18 minutes, but chipped in with nine assists and freshman Kedzie Gunderson set a career high with 12 points and seven rebounds.
“The last time we played Washington State we dominated from the opening tip-off to the end of the game,” Curry said. “We can’t go into the game with the idea of what happened in the past because it is the first Pac-10 game, and everyone is going to come out with a sense of pride and a sense of new life.”
Oregon is not happy about having to play the first game of the tournament, but understands that it put itself in that position. Had the Ducks beaten Washington last Saturday, or Arizona lost to Arizona State, the Ducks would be the sixth seed and playing their first game Saturday.
Oregon officials have projected that more than 7,000 fans could attend one of the Ducks’ tournament games this weekend.
“Certainly it will be an extra game, but it’s a game that will be at Mac Court, so what better opportunity to start the tournament off right,” Smith said.
The first-year coach said Oregon has not suffered any serious injuries, but Kraayeveld sat out yesterday’s practice as a precaution because of a sore back.