With two completely different offensive performances last week, what type of game Oregon gives Washington today is something Duck fans are waiting to see.
Will they shoot the threes like they did against California or struggle to score any points like at Stanford?
“We’re still trying to find our identity on this team,” sophomore forward Joevan Catron said.
For Oregon coach Ernie Kent, he doesn’t expect either performance to be duplicated. While the Stanford game was simply an aberration, the Ducks were in a special rhythm that’s hard to repeat against Cal, he said.
“They were in that moment,” Kent said. “Whether or not they stay can stay there, that’s tough to do.”
Regardless of how well the Ducks’ offense is running, Kent expects the environment at McArthur Court to be filled with pressure and animosity in a rivalry game that continues to be a contested matchup. And although it’s Valentine’s Day, neither team is expected to demonstrate much love toward each other, especially after Oregon’s 78-70 loss last month in Seattle.
“It’s Thursday: Big rival game – I don’t think they’re a team that has a lot of respect for us on the floor as to how hard we play,” Kent said.
For this week’s games, Kent hopes to see a continued effort on the defensive front as the Huskies upset UCLA 71-61 last Sunday and need to contain Washington’s Jon Brockman and Ryan Appleby, both of whom burned the Ducks in their last meeting.
“We have to keep him under control. He’s a great three-point shooter,” Catron said of Appleby.
Senior guard Bryce Taylor said the key to beating Washington is to keep them off the offensive glass and to out-hustle them.
“(They’re) trying to make those tough plays, trying to intimidate you,” Taylor said.
For Kent, the difference in the game will result from something more than just a defensive strategy.
“This goes beyond any X’s or O’s,” Kent said. “It’s going to be where our grit and determination is.
“We’ve played some pretty good basketball this year. Unfortunately we’ve been one of those teams in this conference that’s lost those close games for whatever reason.”
Morris’ chin music
Washington senior Tim Morris made himself part of a national argument this week after pelting UCLA’s Alfred Aboya in the face in the final seconds on an in-bounds pass during the Huskies’ win.
Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden said he would have pulled Morris out of the game. ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon criticized the play as well saying, “In the ‘hood, that would result in a whole lot more than a ‘T’ (technical foul).”
Morris tried to apologize during the game but Aboya refused to shake his hand.
“It was just a reaction,” Morris said Tuesday to reporters. “I really didn’t mean to.
“I was just trying to make sure (the ball) went out of bounds.”
When asked about the incident, the Ducks had mixed reactions.
Kent said he hadn’t seen the play and that he’s instructed his players to knock the ball off an opposing player’s leg rather than spend a timeout.
“That’s the only thing I do teach,” he said.
Catron said he didn’t have a problem with it, saying that Morris did it to seal a win.
“Yes, I would have – just to win the game,” Catron said.
Taylor said the play was legitimate, but he would have aimed somewhere less sensitive.
“I’m sure there was somewhere else that he could have knocked it off him out of bounds, but I doubt he was trying to throw the ball in his face,” he said.
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