Stanford Cardinal at Oregon Ducks
Matthew Knight Arena – Eugene, Oregon
Thursday, January 5, 2012, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: Comcast Northwest, Bay Area, ESPN Full Court
Opening Line: Pick
Current Line: Oregon -1
Opening Total: 131 1/2
Current Total: 132
Opening Money Line: Oregon -120 / Stanford +100
Current Money Line: Oregon -115 / Stanford -105
The 12-2 Stanford Cardinal (2-0 Pac 12) travel to Eugene to take on the 10-4 Oregon Ducks (1-1 Pac 12) Thursday night. Stanford is coached by Johnny Dawkins and Oregon is coached by Dana Altman.
Stanford has wins over Fresno St, Colorado St, Oklahoma St, Pacific, North Carolina St, San Diego, UCLA 60-59, and USC 51-43 to open Pac 12 play last week. Now the Cardinal go on the road for the first time since December 1 as they take on the Oregon schools this weekend.
Oregon has wins over Nebraska, UTEP, Fresno St, Portland St, and Washington St 92-75. The Ducks have losses to Vanderbilt, BYU, Virginia, and at Washington 76-60 last Saturday. All losses are to likely tournament teams. Stanford leads the series 89-45 against Oregon. The Cardinal have won six of the last ten meetings against the Ducks. The two teams split the series last year with each winning on the other’s home court.
Stanford is outscoring opponents 71-56 this season. The Cardinal are shooting 46% from the field, and 37.9% from 3 point range. Stanford makes 69% from the free throw line. The Cardinal average 37.6 rebounds a game with a rebounding margin of +7.9. Stanford averages 12.9 assists, 14.7 turnovers, 7.2 steals and 2.5 blocks a game. Cardinal opponents are shooting 39.5% from the field and 32% from 3 point range.
Stanford forward-center Josh Owens averages 12.4 points and 5.9 rebounds a game to lead the team in both categories. Aaron Bright averages 12 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists to lead the team. He makes 47.5% of his 3 point attempts. Chasson Randle averages 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 steals a game to lead the team. He is shooting 40.4% from 3 point range. Anthony Brown averages 8.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. Josh Huestis leads the team in blocks with 0.8 a game. Reserve guard Gabriel Harris is out for the season with a knee injury.
Oregon is outscoring opponents 70-67 this season. The Ducks are shooting 45.2% from the field, including 35.2% from 3 point range. Oregon makes 67.8% of their free throws. The Ducks average 34.7 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of +0.9. Oregon averages 13.7 assists, 14.1 turnovers, 6.2 steals, and 3.6 blocks a game. Duck opponents are shooting 41.9% from the field, including 33.5% from 3 point range. The Ducks force 12.7 turnovers a game.
Oregon guard Devoe Joseph, a transfer from Minnesota, averages 13.4 points, 3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. He is shooting 38.1% from 3 point range. He leads the team in scoring and steals. Garrett Sim averages 12.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. He is shooting 47.3% from 3 point range. E.J. Singler averages 12.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists a game. Olu Ashaolu averages 8.1 points and 5.4 rebounds a game to lead the team. Tony Woods averages 6.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks to lead the team. Johnathan Loyd averages 3.5 assists to lead the team and 1.4 steals a game. He makes 37% of his three point shots. Forward Tyrone Nared has missed the last 6 games with a knee injury and is questionable tonight.
Oregon is 3-8 against the spread and the total is 4-7 this season. Stanford is 7-4 ATS and the total is 5-6 this season. Stanford is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 against Oregon and 5-2-1 in Eugene. The under is 9-3-1 in the 13 in the series, and 6-1 in Oregon. The Cardinal are 5-0 ATS after a cover, 13-4 in road games after 3 or more straight home games, 5-2 after allowing 50 points or less, and in road games, 2-6 in Pac 12 games, 1-4 overall, 1-5 as an underdog of 6.5 points or less, and 0-4 in Thursday games. The Ducks are 4-1 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 points or less, 11-23-1 in Thursday games, 1-4 against teams with winning records, 1-5 as a favorite, 1-6 overall, 0-4 after failing to cover, and at home.
Though both of these teams have good records, I am not sure how good they really are. The records could be a product of soft schedules on both sides. I think Stanford is a better team especially on defense, and the Cardinal should be able to pull a tough road win.
