Pac-10 Conference Semifinals
Oregon Ducks vs Washington Huskies
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Friday, March 11, 2011, 11:30 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Sports Net
Opening Line: Washington -9
Current Line: Washington -8
Opening Total: 153
Current Total: 153
Money Line: Washington -400 / Oregon +330
A month ago Washington seemed like the class of the Pac-10 and a lock for an NCAA Tournament bid. A series of puzzling losses down the stretch has put the NCAA bid in jeopardy somewhat. Washington is 21-10 overall and finished third in the Pac-10 with an 11-7 record. They have alternated wins and losses in their last 6 games. Yesterday in the quarterfinals Washington was down 13 in the second half and came back to win 89-87 to avoid being beaten for a third time this season by the Cougars. Oregon is 16-16 overall and finished 7th in the Pac-10 with a 7-11 record. They lost 4 games in a row to close out the regular season but beat Arizona St 76-69 in the first round of the Pac-10 tournament and upset 2 seed UCLA last night 76-59 in the quarters. Oregon has to win tonight to even be eligible for the CBI or CIT Tournaments.
Oregon and Washington split the regular season series with each winning on their home court. Washington won in Seattle 87-69 on January 6th and Oregon won in Eugene February 6 81-76. Washington leads the overall series 104-84. Washington has won 4 of the last 6 against Oregon but is 3-3 ATS in those games. All 6 games went over the total.
Oregon has no significant injuries right now. Oregon Forward Joevan Catron is averaging 16.4 points to lead the team, 6.1 rebounds a game to also lead the team. He also averages 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals a game. Sophomore forward E.J. Singler averages 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, plus he also averages 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals a game. Point guard Malcolm Armstead leads the team in assists with 4.4 a game and steals with 2.2 a game. The Ducks are outscoring opponents 70-69 on the season. The Ducks are shooting 42.1% from the field and 34.5% from 3-point range. Duck opponents are shooting 44.6% from the field. Oregon makes 73.4% of their free throws. They average 32.7 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of -1.9. They average 13.9 assists and 12.4 turnovers a game. The Ducks force 15.6 turnovers a game on defense. They average 8.2 steals and 2.6 blocks a game.
Washington forward Justin Holiday has mild concussion but played yesterday against Washington St. Washington guard Abdul Gaddy tore his ACL in practice a few weeks ago and is gone for the season. He was averaging 8.5 points a game. Washington is led by guard Isaiah Thomas, a candidate to win Pac-10 player of the year. Thomas is averaging 16.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. He leads the team in points and assists and is tied or the lead in steals. Forward Matthew Bryan-Amaning is averaging 16 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.1 steal and 1.6 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounds and blocks. Justin Holiday averages 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals a game to lead the team. Washington Guard Scott Suggs averages 7.2 points a game and leads the Pac-10 in 3-point shooting at 45.2%. Washington is outscoring opponents 84-71 on the year. The Huskies are shooting 47.3% from the field and 37.3% from 3-point range. Husky opponents are shooting 41.8% from the field. Washington is shooting 66.6% from the free throw line. The Huskies average 39.1 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +4.3. Washington averages 17.3 assists and 12.4 turnovers a game. They force 15.3 turnovers a game on defense. The Huskies force 6.8 steals and 5.5 blocks a game.
Washington is very inconsistent and you honestly don’t know which team will show up from night to night. Sometimes they look like they can play with anyone in the country and sometimes they look awful. That is usually the sign of a young team but The Huskies have 7 juniors and seniors on their roster from a team that went to the sweet 16 last year. Oregon is almost playing with house money and wasn’t supposed to be here. They should be pretty lose tonight and will give their Pacific Northwest rivals a close game.
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