Oregon (8-22) Vs. Washington State (16-14)
GAME NOTES: One of two opening-round games of the 2009 Pac-10 Conference Tournament pits the seventh-seeded Washington State Cougars against the 10th- seeded Oregon Ducks. The winner of this game moves on to Thursday's quarterfinal round to do battle with top-seeded Washington. Oregon has two Pac-10 tourney titles to its credit, the most recent of which came two years ago. The Ducks are just 8-22 overall, and they have posted only two wins in 18 contests against league opponents this year. As for Washington State, it has never won this event and is a lowly 4-9 in Pac-10 Tournament games. The Cougars who are 16-14 overall this season, won three of their final four regular season games to move to 8-10 in conference. Washington State won both regular season meetings with Oregon, overshadowing the fact that the Ducks own a 155-121 series advantage over the Cougars.
Oregon depends heavily on Tajuan Porter, a guard who is averaging 15.2 ppg. Porter is shooting just 39.3 percent from the field, partly because he is constantly hounded by double teams. The only other double-digit scorer for the Ducks is LeKendric Longmire who provides 10.2 ppg. The biggest problem for the squad this season has been its shaky play at the defensive end of the floor, as foes are generating 76.6 ppg. In addition, Oregon is last in the conference in scoring margin, field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense. Furthermore, the Ducks are the worst rebounding team in the Pac-10, so it is no mystery why they finished last in the standings.
Washington State is the lowest-scoring Pac-10 team, as the club is generating an anemic 59.4 ppg. The Cougars do rank first in the league in scoring defense, however, as they are holding foes to 55.2 ppg on 39 percent shooting from the field. They are also tops in the conference in free-throw shooting, a stat that could come in handy if tonight's game is close. Taylor Rochestie is the leader of the Cougars, as he is scoring 13.6 ppg to go along with 141 assists from his point guard position. Klay Thompson provides 13.1 ppg, and Aron Baynes adds 12.0 ppg. WSU is outrebounding foes by nearly three boards per tilt was well.
Washington State is the pick in this contest, as it will get the job done defensively. The Cougars will score just enough points to win.
Predicted OutcomeWashington State 59, Oregon 55Copyright 2009 Courtesy of The Sports Network.
