The season is in full swing and Oregon now finds itself losers of three consecutive games. Plenty of questions are abound, and Emerald staff reporters Ryan Kostecka and Josh Schlicter answer those as the Ducks prepare to play USC tonight. In addition, Oregon plays UCLA Saturday.
For Oregon’s NCAA tournament resume, how important are these two games for the Ducks?
Kostecka — When Oregon looks back and reflects on its season, I think these are the two games where the Ducks look and say “this is where it started” or “this is where we lost it.” Riding a two-game losing streak to the Washington schools, Oregon can’t afford to lose to the Southern California schools and remain in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. Two wins on its home court would go a long way into giving Oregon back its confidence and swagger, especially before heading to Arizona the following weekend.
Schlichter — Oregon won’t be going to the NCAA tournament this year. UCLA and USC would be far from quality wins according to the selection committee. With an RPI ranking below 90 and a significant lack of beatable top 25 teams remaining on the schedule, the Ducks would need to win the Pac-12 tournament to make it. The team is likely destined for a CBI or NIT postseason bid.
If the Ducks are going to emerge victorious from this weekend, what is the one thing that Oregon needs to do to win the games?
Kostecka — For the Ducks to be successful, everything starts with Joseph Young. In Oregon’s six losses, Young is shooting just 34.7-percent (33 for 95) from the field and a measly 26.9-percent (14 for 52) from three-point territory. In the 12 wins, Young is shooting 48.4-percent (90 for 186) from the field and 40.2-percent (35 for 87) from three-point land. If Young can get off to a good start and then stay aggressive, Oregon is difficult to beat.
Schlichter — Oregon needs to play well on the exterior and interior against USC and UCLA. USC’s guard-heavy roster includes sharpshooters Jordan McLaughlin, Elijah Stewart and Julian Jacobs — while UCLA’s big men Kevon Looney and Tony Parker have been matchup problems for several Pac-12 teams. If the Ducks can prevent a three-point barrage from the Trojans, then pound the interior against UCLA to get Looney and Parker into foul trouble, they will have a chance in both contests.
What will be the results for Oregon once the weekend is over?
Kostecka — Led by a resurgent Young, the Ducks will defeat both USC and UCLA to save the season. I think Oregon will dismantle USC on Thursday led by double-digit efforts from four different Ducks and then return on Saturday for a vintage Young performance. Young will hit the 25-point mark while Jordan Bell and Elgin Cook control the paint, thus leading Oregon to a weekend sweep.
Schlichter — Oregon should handle its business against USC, but will fall short to the bigger and more athletic Bruins on Saturday to split the weekend.
Follow Ryan Kostecka @Ryan_Kostecka and Josh Schlichter @JoshSchlichter on Twitter.