What are the keys to the game for Oregon?
Andrew Murray, DuckTV Sports Reporter: While the Ducks held a considerable lead during most of the game in their first match up with the Huskies, they were never able to put Washington away due to their success beyond the arc. The Huskies were 8-12 on three point shots and 52% overall from the field. The Ducks will have to focus on taking away outside options for the Huskies and force them to play inside.
Bri Amaranthus, DuckTV Sports Reporter: The Ducks are going to have to perform offensively. In the last Husky matchup, Oregon had three players (E.J. Singler, Arsalan Kazemi, Carlos Emory) shoot in double figures, and a 57.8 shooting percentage from the field. The Ducks will need to be able to sink baskets and keep control of the game offensively to beat Washington.
Erin Maloney, DuckTV Sports Reporter: The Ducks have to keep the Huskies off of the offensive boards. The Ducks have to play tight defense and keep Washington’s field goal percentage under 45%. Backup point guard Jonathan Lloyd must step up in the absence of Dominic Artis. EJ Singler and Arsalan Kazemi have been hot as of late and must continue to play well for Oregon to win.
Anthony Piganelli, DuckTV Sports Reporter: In order for Oregon to go on another win streak and build on the win on Saturday against Utah, they will need to limit turnovers, play good team defense, and most importantly, knock down more shots. Another important part of this game will be the senior leadership provided by E.J. Singler, Carlos Emory, Tony Woods, and Arsalan Kazemi. If the big four can get things going early and often with a good shot selection, a strong interior defense, and a high basketball IQ, Oregon should come away with a victory in Seattle.
Oregon’s Arsalan Kazemi battles for a loose ball on Jan. 26 in Eugene. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
What are the keys to the game for Washington?
AM: Five players for the Huskies reached double digit points in their last game against the Ducks. The only problem is that they allowed Oregon to shoot 58% for the game. The Huskies will have to rearrange their individual match ups, particularly on E.J. Singler and Arsalan Kazemi, in order to slow down the Ducks offense. Playing better transition defense will be key to slowing them down.
BA: Washington needs to capitalize on home court advantage. The key to a Washington victory is for the Huskies to come out in the first couple minutes of the game and the second half ready to play. Getting the lead early will help them against Oregon’s fiery offense.
EM: Washington is first in the Pac 12 in offensive rebounds and they must to continue to dominate their opponent on the offensive boards. They must shoot over 50% from the field, which will be a challenge considering that they rank last in the PAC 12 with a 43% field goal percentage. Defensively, the Huskies must control Kazemi and Woods on the inside. Second chance shots for the Ducks will be a real key tonight.
AP: As for Washington, they rely heavily on C.J. Wilcox, the talented junior guard who is 4th in scoring in the Pac-12 conference with 17.7 points per game. Their key will be getting him good looks early and often, while keeping role players such as Abdul Gaddy and Aziz N’Diaye involved as well. On Defense, they have to be able to contain senior forward E.J. Singler, who lit up the Huskies with 18 points in Eugene the last time these two teams faced off.
Prediction
AM: 75-66 in favor of the Huskies. The Ducks offense has become stagnant lately, especially on the road, and Washington will be excited to host their northwest rival.
BA: 85-83 Oregon. The Ducks will be able to pull through in the second half to win the game.
EM: I’m going to pick a low scoring, tightly contested game and go with a 65-62 win for the Ducks. Historically, the Huskies have used their home court as a real advantage in this series. Tonight will be no different, but Oregon finds a way to win late.
AP: Ducks 75-68 over the Huskies.