Oregon and Washington State will meet for the second and final time on Sunday, Feb. 23. The Ducks won the first match 71-44 in Pullman and have won six straight against the Cougars.
What to watch for
Oregon
The Ducks are in dire need of wins as they look to return to the NCAA tournament. In their win against Oregon State, Oregon seemed to regain its early season success, as it was strong at the three-point line and relied on outscoring its opponent. Washington State is the worst team in the Pac-12, so that strategy may work again.
Washington State
The Cougars rank last in the conference in a dozen statistical categories, but one thing they do particularly well is shoot and make threes. While the conversion percentage isn’t high (34.0), Washington State makes almost eight threes per game, second in the Pac-12 to Arizona State. If WSU can be efficient from deep, they’ll have a chance to pull off the upset.
Who to watch
Oregon
Joseph Young is on a hot streak. Oregon’s leading scorer has put up 20 or more points in four of his last six games when 33-of-34 from the free throw line. Oregon is 8-3 when Young scores 20-plus this season, so as long as he gets going the Ducks should find success.
Senior point guard Johnathan Loyd is climbing the Oregon record books as he closes out his collegiate career. He’s first all-time in total games played and tied fifth in career assists and steals. The winningest player in Oregon history is averaging career-highs in points and assists and leads the Pac-12 in assist to turnover ratio and free throw percentage.
Washington State
Junior standout DaVonte Lacy recently returned from an injury and is on a tear. In five games since returning, Lacy is averaging 23.6 points per game on 43.4 percent shooting, 46.2 percent from three and 96.6 percent at the line (as of Feb. 18). He scored a career-high 34 against Colorado on Feb. 5. Then two games later, he scored 39 against Cal. Lacy is in full command of his game offensively and his much-needed return should spark the Cougars, who were without Lacy against Oregon earlier this season.
Keys to victory
Oregon
Out-score the opponent. Channel its inner Chip Kelly. Washington State ranks last in the conference in rebounding, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and scoring offense. If Oregon scores points like it usually does, it should have no trouble sending the Cougars back to Pullman with a loss.
Washington State
The Cougars need to hit the three ball. Washington State has attempted 570 three-pointers this season to lead the Pac-12, but has only made 194 of them. Lacy and Que Johnson will need to be lights out come Sunday.
The Cougars also need to stay out of foul trouble. Oregon is second in the nation and first in the conference in free throw percentage at 77.9 percent, with Young, Loyd and Jason Calliste all shooting better than 84 percent.
Follow Madison Guernsey on Twitter @guernseymd