Without a game to worry about on Thursday, the Oregon men’s basketball team has had a full week to prepare for the season’s second Civil War matchup Saturday at Matthew Knight Arena.
Of course, that does not mean that head coach Dana Altman has been happy with the way the team spent the extra time preparing.
“We’re rested, but we’re not ready,” Altman said. “We didn’t have a good practice Tuesday and we didn’t have a good practice (Thursday). We’re just not executing, we’re not as focused as we need to be.”
Indeed, the Ducks (13-12, 6-7 Pacific-10 Conference) may be riding an impressive 5-2 stretch, but Oregon State (9-15, 4-9 Pac-10) will be hot for revenge after losing 63-59 in the first meeting in Corvallis. The Beavers lead the nation with 10.13 steals per game, and Altman has placed a heavy emphasis on ball control.
“You’ve gotta handle the ball,” Altman said. “Oregon State, they’re kind of like a blitzing football team. They’re always coming after you and they take a lot of chances, and because of that they get a lot of steals. Their athleticism is good; they’ve got long, athletic players.”
That athleticism proved difficult for Oregon to handle the first time around, as it coughed up the ball 15 times. Still, the Ducks shot 50 percent from the field and moved the ball effectively on offense to come away with the narrow victory.
It has been nearly a month since that game, but sophomore forward E.J. Singler still says there is something to take away from it.
“We had 18 assists on 24 baskets, I think,” Singler said. “So if we have that stat, I think we can do big things.”
Also playing in Oregon’s favor is the Beavers’ recent slide. They have dropped their last three games and stand second to last in the Pac-10 standings.
Though this should give the Ducks more confidence, they will certainly not be taking Oregon State lightly.
“They’re bringing all they have for this game,” junior guard Garrett Sim said. “They’ve let a few slip away; they’ve been kind of sliding. But they’re going to get up for the Civil War. Every team does, so we’re expecting their best shot on Saturday.”
For Altman, the weekend should bring some tactics that cannot be seen on tape. Oregon State has also had a week to prepare for the matchup, and different looks on the court are to be expected.
“We’ve both had a week to prepare,” Altman said. “We’ve both had a week to look at some different things. So I think we’re going to try some new things. I think they’ll try some new things, and I think the game will have a little different look to it.”
In the back of their minds, the Ducks know a win would mark a season sweep over Oregon State. Given that the Beavers swept the series last year, it would be sweet revenge for a team that is starting to come together under its new coach.
Asked about the possibility of a sweep, Portland native Sim’s eyes lit up.
“I grew up watching this,” Sim said. “I’ve been a part of the rivalry, and it’d be the first time to get a sweep for myself, and that’d be a lot of fun. I hope we can do it in front of our home crowd.”
For his part, Altman is also coming to realize just how important these games are.
“I haven’t been here that long,” Altman said. “But you realize that when you play your in-state school, you’d better get ready to go.”
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Civil War win would be sweet revenge for Ducks
Daily Emerald
February 16, 2011
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