#23 Oregon Ducks at Washington State Cougars
Saturday, February 16, 2013, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: Pac 12 Network
Wallis Beasley Coliseum – Pullman Washington
Opening Line: Oregon -3
Current Line: Oregon -3
Opening Total: 125
Current Total: 127 1/2
Opening Money Line: Oregon -150 / Washington St +130
Current Money Line: Oregon -155 / Washington St +135
The Oregon Ducks started off 18-2 but has gone 2-3 in their last 5 games. The Ducks have won 2 straight games after a 3 game losing streak to improve to 20-5. Thanks to losses by UCLA and Arizona this week, Oregon is in first place alone in the Pac 12 with a 9-3 record. The Ducks lead the Pac 12 by a game over those two teams, but five other teams are within 3 games of first. Oregon travels to 11-14 Washington St Saturday. The Cougars are in last place in the conference with a 2-10 record.
Oregon leads the series 161-123. The Ducks have won 4 games in a row in the series and 7 of the last 8. Oregon beat Washington St last month in Eugene 68-61. In that game Washington St was up by 10 points at halftime, but the Ducks came back for the win. Oregon has a chance to sweep the season series against both Washington schools for the first time since 1990.
Oregon is coached by Dana Altman. The Ducks have losses Cincinnati in a tournament in Las Vegas and at UTEP in triple overtime, Stanford, Cal, and a home loss to Colorado.. Oregon has key wins over Vanderbilt, at UNLV, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon St, Arizona, and Arizona St at UCLA and USC, and at home against Washington St, Washington twice, and Utah. The Ducks won at Washington Wednesday night 65-52. The Colorado loss snapped a 18 game home winning streak for Oregon. Oregon is 10-13 ATS and the total is 5-12 this season.
Oregon is outscoring teams 73-62 this season. The Ducks are shooting 45.5% from the field and 32.2% from 3 point range. Oregon makes 72.4% of their free throws. The Ducks are #38 in rebounding with 38.3 per game. Oregon is 27th in rebounds allowed, with 27.2 per game. Duck opponents are shooting 40.5% from the field and 32.8% from 3 point range. Oregon averages 14 assists, 9 steals, 4 blocks and 16 turnovers.
Oregon guard Damyean Dotson averages 11.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1 assist. Forward E.J. Singler averages 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals a game. Guard Dominic Artis averages 10.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Artis is out with a foot injury. Forward Carlos Emory averages 10 points and 4.3 rebounds. Center Tony Woods averages 10 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. Forward Arsalan Kazemi averages 8.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Waverly Austin, Ben Carter and and Johnathan Loyd make up the rest of the rotation.Loyd is probable with a leg injury.
Washington St is coached by Ken Bone. The Cougars have lost 7 of their last 8 games and 5 in a row. Washington St has losses at Pepperdine, Stanford, Cal, Oregon, USC, and UCLA, to Kansas and Texas A&M in a tournament in Kansas City, and at home against Gonzaga, Washington, Colorado, Arizona St, Arizona and Oregon St 67-66 Wednesday. WSU has wins over Idaho, Portland, Fresno St, Buffalo, Utah, and at Oregon St. The Cougars are 11-10-1 ATS and the total is 8-8 this season.
Washington St is outscoring teams 64-62 this season. The Cougars shoot 42.3% from the field and 34.3% from 3 point range. WSU makes 67.9% of their free throws. Washington St averages 33.9 rebounds per game and give up 27.5 per game. The Cougars are #35 in rebounds allowed. Cougar opponents are shooting 42.1% from the field and 35.1% from 3 point range. Washington St averages 12 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks, and 12 turnovers per game.
Forward Brock Motum averages 18 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.8 blocks a game. Guard Mike Ladd averages 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. he is doubtful with a knee injury, after missing the Oregon St game. Guard DaVonte Lacy averages 10.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Guard Royce Woolridge averages 8.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1 steal per game. Guard Dexter Kernich-Drew averages 6.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. Forward D.J. Shelton averages 5.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Will DiIorio and Junior Longrus also get time in the rotation. Guard Que Johnson is out for the season because of academics.
Oregon is 12-4 ATS in road games, 15-5 after a cover, 10-4 against teams with winning home records, 2-5 after a straight up win, 1-6 overall, and against PAC 12 teams. The Ducks are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 games in the series.
Washington St is 2-7 ATS teams with winning records, 1-5 in Saturday games, 0-3-1 after a straight up loss, 0-4 at home, 0-4-1 overall, and against PAC 12 teams. The home team si 5-2 ATS in this series.
Oregon seems to have gotten back on track after a three game losing streak. Washington St has lost 5 straight, and without Ladd will struggle even more. Pullman is a tough place to play because of it’s remote location, relatively small arena (by Pac 12 standards) and rollicking student section. However, I like Oregon to win on the road. Three points is a good value, and the line is only that low because of Oregon’s recent struggles.
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