It’s the time of the year when lockers get used for the last time, when the gym socks get thrown in their last wash cycle, and when crowds get the chance to say goodbye to seniors.
It’s the end of the year for Pacific-10 Conference women’s basketball. And yes, there’s still a conference tournament, and a select few teams will go beyond that to the NCAA Tournament.
Oregon is hoping — beyond all else — that it is one of those select few.
“Right now, I think we need to forget about winning, forget about where our standings are, and right now, our biggest goal is play like how we want to play,” sophomore Kedzie Gunderson said. “We need to focus on our game plan, run through stuff, play hard, play defense, and do all those little things because right now, it doesn’t matter if we win or lose, but can you play how your team is meant to play?”
The Ducks are tied for sixth in the conference with USC, which, coincidentally, is Oregon’s opponent tonight in Los Angeles. The game — set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Los Angeles Sports Arena — pits two teams that are far different now than when they met earlier in the season. Oregon won that game, 79-73, at McArthur Court.
“(USC is) a team that has found some balance in scoring, and they play well at home,” Oregon head coach Bev Smith said. “They are going to be tough in this game because there is a lot on the line for both teams. Certainly, it’s going to be a game of wills.”
As Smith alluded, the game is big for both teams because of the Pac-10 Tournament next week in San Jose, Calif. The sixth-place team does not have to play until March 8, a Saturday. The seventh-place squad has to play an additional game March 7.
Oregon State sits one game ahead of the Trojans and Ducks, and has to play in Los Angeles this weekend as well. Because of that, though, the Beavers ultimately control their own destiny.
So do the Ducks, but they will have to prove it against USC.
“Who wants to play a day when they really don’t have to?” sophomore Brandi Davis said. “We’re just looking forward to going out there and playing the best we can. If we have to play that Friday, then we have to.”
If the Ducks can overcome the Trojans — who are 7-8 since that loss to Oregon — then Smith’s squad would most likely be assured of at least a sixth-place finish because of the two wins over USC. Arizona State must lose to either Stanford or California for that to happen.
If Oregon is to impress down south, it will need its sharpshooters to forget about the Washington contest. The Ducks shot just 19 percent from the field during the first half of the loss, and made just a pair of two-pointers during the half.
Davis will be a key figure in the offensive attack, and should benefit from playing close to home. The La Habra, Calif., native grew up just 30 miles away from the USC campus.
“It’s always good to go home and see mom’s face and be able to see family, but also be able to go out there and take care of business,” Davis said.
The Ducks will stay in Los Angeles for a contest against UCLA Saturday. The Bruins decimated Oregon, 93-68, earlier in the season.
UCLA has definitely been the surprise of the Pac-10. Expected to finish near the bottom of the conference after an eighth-place finish last year, the Bruins are now sitting pretty in fourth. They play Oregon State on Thursday, then host the Ducks in the final regular-season contest for both teams.
Saturday’s tip is set for 2 p.m., and the game will be aired on Fox Sports Net.