It’s the final regular season homestand for the Ducks. And after a disappointing showing against the Washington schools, Oregon would love nothing more than to send off its senior class with a big weekend.
Arizona State (22-6, 11-5 Pac-12) comes to town first for a Friday night showdown and Arizona (5-22, 1-15) will be in town on Sunday for the senior day. Seniors Ariel Thomas, Danielle Love, Laura Stanulis and Chynna Miley will be honored for their time with the Oregon women’s basketball program.
For Love, the moment came on Monday night. She came in late on the team’s day off to shoot around, and it hit her at all at once.
“I was just like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is literally my last real week,’” Love said. “My mom and sister are coming this weekend. It’s going to be pretty emotional, but I think my teammates will help me get through it.
“I’m excited to take the next step in my life, but these past four years have meant everything to me so I’m not really ready to let them go, but I guess everything has to come to an end sometime.”
When Oregon traveled to the Arizona schools earlier this year, Oregon narrowly lost 97-94 to ASU and took care of business to beat Arizona 84-72.
“I think (Oregon players) see this weekend as an important homestand,” head coach Paul Westhead said. “I think they’re very conscious that they would like to turn it around and win some games. And I think after this weekend, players will begin to reflect on their postseason aspirations and the Pac-12 tournament. Our big issue right now is Arizona State, which was a great challenge to us. We played well against them.”
According to Love, the possibility of two wins this weekend seems likely, as long as the Ducks can push the pace against Arizona State.
“We’re really excited and really optimistic about this weekend,” Love said. “We are really positive and know we can do some good stuff. We’re looking to go into the Pac-12 tournament with two wins under our belt.”
For senior Ariel Thomas, the opportunity to reflect on her time at Oregon is sentimental, but at the same time, she understands the importance of winning this weekend and ending her time with the program with two quality wins over the Arizona schools.
“I think it would be pretty sweet,” Thomas said. “I personally hate losing and I know my teammates do, as well. Just to win, especially on senior night, would be epic.”
Friday’s game against Arizona State tips off at 7 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena while Sunday’s game with Arizona starts at 1 p.m. on Pac-12 networks.
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne