Every week during women’s basketball season, our sports staff will discuss different topics surrounding an upcoming game(s). Today, sports reporters Jonathan Hawthorne, Chris Keizur and Joseph Hoyt discuss the Oregon’s regular season and it’s chances in the WNIT. The Ducks play Pacific in the first round of the tournament Thursday at 7 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena.

1) How would you characterize Oregon’s season: success, disappointment or in between?

Hawthorne — Though the Ducks (15-15, 6-12 Pac-12) had a few “stinger” losses this season, the record definitely improved from last season (4-27, 2-16), especially in Pac-12 play. I think that it’s important to look at the improvement in scoring and ability to run head coach Paul Westhead’s system at full octane. Despite a few tough losses — the sweep against the Washington schools on the road might be the team’s worst — the Ducks improved greatly from 4-27. Look for even more improvement next year.

Keizur — This season has to be viewed as a disappointment simply because it felt like the team left wins on the table. At times sidetracked by injuries, the Ducks had trouble closing out close games and giving up leads, costing them a record that truly matched their talent on the court. That being said, it is always nice to get a postseason nod.

Hoyt — Oregon’s season can be summed up as a disappointing, but hopeful. While the record is average, the Ducks saw the emergence of sophomore Jillian Alleyne, going from hopeful freshman to a dominant force. She became the fastest player in school history to 1,000 points and smashed other records, as well. Also, freshman guard Chrishae Rowe became a lethal scorer this year. A new coach will inherit a talented roster and the future is bright for Oregon.

2) What is your brief scouting report of Pacific?

Hawthorne — The Tigers are a formidable opponent at 18-12 and 12-6 in the WCC. Pacific, who earned the WCC’s automatic bid to the WNIT, advanced to the WNIT Sweet 16 last season with wins over UALR and Washington before losing to Utah in overtime. Pacific beat Arizona at home this year during the regular season, but that doesn’t say too much to Ducks fans, for Oregon swept Arizona this year. Oregon needs to out-run the Tigers, who will not be used to the up-tempo speed of the Ducks.

Keizur — Pacific is a good team that fell short in the second round of the WCC tournament, losing to BYU. The team is lead by a player that should be familiar to the Ducks, guard Kiki Moore, who formerly played for Washington State and Fresno State. Moore has faced the Ducks four times with her previous teams, averaging 16 points per game. If the Ducks can slow her production while pushing their own tempo I think they will be able to exploit some favorable matchups against Pacific.

Hoyt — Pacific could enter Eugene in the first round of the WNIT and walk out with a victory. Moore is a veteran scorer that knows Oregon very well and Pacific has been impressive versus the Pac-12 in recent memory. The Tigers beat Washington in the WNIT last year, handled Arizona this season and went toe-to-toe with California on the road, losing 68-66 in overtime on Dec. 7. Keep an eye out for Kendall Kenyon, also. The junior forward is averaging 15.9 points per game this season.

3) Which Oregon player will be most important in Thursday’s game?

Hawthorne — I think that Rowe will have a standout performance against the Tigers. She was banged up the last few weeks of the season with an Achilles injury and is no doubt itching to put up some big numbers and end her freshman campaign on a high note. The momentum that this team builds in the WNIT will be crucial for next year’s coach and team.

Keizur — I am going to dodge the question and instead say that the most important people in this game will be Westhead and his coaching staff. Westhead will have to refocus his players, who may still be reeling from the news that his contract would not be renegotiated for next season. It will be important for Westhead to set the tone in practice, not allowing his players to succumb to the distractions.

Hoyt — The most important player will be — as it has been the entire year — Alleyne. She’s proven in her second year not only to be a prominent scorer but one of the best rebounders in the nation. She takes immense pride in her ability to rebound, and it’s something Oregon will need against Pacific. Her consistency has been often overlooked and underappreciated, but it’ll be the key to advancing in the WNIT. @@ facts and names checked.

4) Who will win Thursday’s game and will it be close, a blowout or in between?

Hawthorne — The game will be handily won by the Ducks. I think the entire team understands just how important a win could be for the program, as it will allow Westhead’s tenure to continue for a little longer. Nobody knows exactly what style of play the new Oregon coach will institute, so it’s important for this team to continue to play hard and press the tempo. I predict a 105-79 win for Oregon.

Keizur — I don’t think this will be a close game at all. Though I think Pacific is a good team that deserves to be in the postseason, I just have a feeling that between Rowe and Alleyne, the Ducks will be able to run them out of Matthew Knight Arena. Look for Oregon to push their tempo and try to exploit the defense for easy fast break baskets. I foresee a final score somewhere around 82-67 Oregon.

Hoyt — The postseason for Oregon during Westhead’s tenure has been far from successful. The team has struggled in the win-or-go-home format and I think getting this win would be a huge motivational force for Oregon. I think it’ll be close, but Oregon manages to escape with a win against upstart Pacific.

5) How will the Ducks fare in the WNIT?

Hawthorne — Oregon would meet the winner of Washington/Hawaii if it beats Pacific. I feel that the Ducks have a reasonable chance to upset the Huskies and reach the WNIT Sweet 16 because it’s difficult to beat a team two times in a row. Washington beat Oregon in the end of February, and Oregon will undoubtedly be looking for revenge when they meet the Huskies. This team understands that an Oregon/Washington game is a rivalry game for both sides.

Keizur — Unfortunately for the Ducks, a win against Pacific is the best that they can hope for in the WNIT. Oregon is a team with a gimmicky system and that plays really fast. Once teams figure that out, it isn’t that hard to contain the Ducks defensively. I think Washington will advance, and as they have already proven, they are capable of beating Oregon. Look for the Duck’s run to end there.

Hoyt — If Oregon can break the trend and win a postseason game, it’s possible it could make a run. The Ducks have beaten Washington before, who they’ll likely face in the second round, and they could do it again. It’s possible they could be successful in Westhead’s final hurrah. However, I wouldn’t consider it likely.

Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne
Follow Chris Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @jhoyt42

Every week during baseball season, our sports staff will discuss various topics surrounding an upcoming Oregon series. Today, digital sports editor Victor Flores and sports reporters Andrew Bantly and Madison Guernsey discuss Oregon’s performance in non-conference play and preview the Ducks’ first Pac-12 series against USC this weekend at PK Park.

1) How would you characterize the Ducks’ non-conference performance: better, worse or as good as you expected?

Flores — The Ducks have performed almost exactly as I expected them to. They handled their first two series against Hawaii and Loyola Marymount, although they were close late in every game until their 8-2 win over Portland on Feb. 25. The next series against Cal State Fullerton also wasn’t surprising. The Ducks battled in the final two games but still got swept, which isn’t the end of the world against the No. 9 team in the nation. They then bounced back against Seattle and Ohio State with several dominant wins and just one loss. The only surprising outcomes of the non-conference schedule was their 20-4 win over the Buckeyes on Sunday.

Bantly — It has to be better than expected. The pitching is coming together, like many staffs would so early in the year, and the defense is becoming more and more consistent. But what makes this team’s non-conference performance better than expected is how well they have performed offensively. As a team in its past five games, Oregon has hit .313 and scored 42 runs. At the heart of the lineup, Tyler Baumgartner, Mitchell Tolman, and Kyle Garlick have proven, thus far, that they can provide enough offensively to lead this team. The offense has also seen impressive production from freshmen A.J. Balta, Austin Grebeck and Mark Karaviotis.

Guernsey — In terms of overall record, Oregon’s 12-4 start is about what I expected. The disappointing part of that is the three losses against Cal State Fullerton, by far the best team the Ducks have faced. The then-fifth-ranked Titans looked like the far superior team in all three games and brought to light some needed areas of improvement for the Ducks. As far as overall play, Oregon has, at times, been inconsistent on the mound and sloppy and out of sync defensively, two aspects George Horton’s clubs have excelled in in years past.

2) What do the Ducks need to improve the most going into Pac-12 play?

Flores — The Ducks need to cut out the little mistakes, especially on the base paths. They’ve been picked off several times, gotten caught in rundowns, been thrown out attempting to steal home and more. They’ve been decent in the field and the bats have been better than expected, but this team won’t be able to blow out every team in the Pac-12, so they’ll need to avoid the little mistakes in order to succeed in one of college baseball’s toughest conferences.

Bantly— The Ducks are a mediocre 5-4 at home. Though three of their four losses at home are from a Cal State Fullerton sweep, this series against USC needs to set the tone for the rest of the season at home, especially in Pac-12 play. Since their reinstatement in 2009, Oregon has beaten USC five out of six times at PK Park, and this series presents a good opportunity for the Ducks to widen that margin. It is way too early in the season to say the Ducks play poorly at home, but in order to have success against Pac-12 teams that are quickly arriving, they need to take advantage of home-field advantage.

Guernsey — Bullpen consistency. Two of Oregon’s primary relievers (Darrell Hunter and Garrett Cleavinger) have had some early-season struggles which they’ll need to iron out in order for Oregon to reach its goal of the College World Series. Cleavinger, in particular, hasn’t been his usual self, posting a 7.94 ERA and a .286 opponent average in 5.2 innings pitched. As a whole, the bullpen has been brilliant in spots but mostly inconsistent, giving up eight earned runs in four losses and nine earned runs in 12 wins. While poor offense and starting pitching are to blame for losses, the bullpen has been equally messy in those games.

3) Do you think Jeff Gold will maintain his Sunday starter status throughout Pac-12 play?

Flores — I believe he will. He’s been steady all year, averaging 6.25 innings per start with a 2.52 earned run average and a 23-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio (the three walks are probably his most most impressive stat). It’s still early in the season, and Gold has yet to face a tough opponent, but even if he stumbles a bit, his control and command are probably good enough to keep him from losing the job.

Bantly — As of now, yes. There is no other pitcher that has proven to Horton that he can do a better job. Junior Jordan Spencer and sophomore Porter Clayton were both given a start before Gold got his opportunity on Sunday. Though Clayton did start against Fullerton, Gold’s performance on Sunday against Ohio State was impressive because he was able to consistently throw strikes. But the fact is that Gold is winning games. In fact, Gold leads the nation in wins and has a 2.52 ERA. However, the leash should stay short for Gold in the Sunday slot.

Guernsey — It looks that way. He’s been the most consistent not just among the Sunday starter auditioners but also among regular starters Matt Krook and Tommy Thorpe. In each of his four starts, Gold has thrown at least five innings while giving up three runs or less. He has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 8:1 and a WHIP of 0.8, better than all starters excluding Brando Tessar (1 start, 3 innings pitched). Even if he slips up in his next start, Horton has praised Gold and expressed his confidence him going forward.

4) How will the Ducks do in their series against USC this weekend?

Flores — This is Oregon’s second-toughest series up to this point behind Fullerton. USC is 9-6 but has played a tough schedule and most of its losses have been close. The Trojans might not be as deep as the Ducks, but I expect them to come into PK Park and keep every game close, stealing two out of three from the Ducks.

Bantly — Oregon wins two out of three. The Saturday and Sunday games are the question marks for me because Horton is still trying to figure out the “Krook equation,” as Horton put it after Sunday’s game. Horton talked about his pitch calling for Krook and how maybe he is trying too hard to call the swing-and-miss pitch. Also, Gold’s start will be a question because he’s a pitcher that will live and die in the strike zone. So it will be interesting to see if he can continue to be dominant after his last outing against Ohio State or if will he struggle to begin Pac-12 play.

Guernsey — The Ducks win two out of three, but it won’t be easy. USC’s been an interesting team so far this season. They’re loaded with talent, but have come out on the losing end in most of their games against tough competition (2-5 versus ranked teams*). Oregon has a clear advantage in two starting pitching matchups, with Saturday’s game (Krook and his 2.19 ERA vs Bob Wheatley and his 0.35 ERA) shaping up to be a dandy that will come down to Krook’s ability to rein in his wildness. The Trojans haven’t displayed much power this season but have two everyday starters hitting over .400 and two more above .300. The Oregon pitching staff will be tested and has an opportunity to solidify itself as an elite unit.

(*rankings include five major college baseball polls: Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, USA Today Coaches, NCBWA & Perfect Game).

Follow Victor Flores on Twitter @vflores415
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @abant3
Follow Madison Guernsey on Twitter @guernseymd

Every week during men’s basketball season, our sports staff will discuss different topics surrounding an upcoming game(s). Today, sports reporters Hayden Kim, Madison Guernsey and Ryan Kostecka discuss the Pac-12 tournament, which starts this afternoon.

1) How will the Ducks fare in the Pac-12 tournament?

Kim — The Ducks may be entering the Pac-12 tournament as the seventh seed, but their recent seven-game winning streak has shown that they are more than capable of running the table and winning the tournament. Excluding Colorado, Stanford and California, the Ducks have beaten every Pac-12 team this season and it’s going to be a mere matter of how much momentum they can carry over from their recent streak.

Guernsey — As hot as Oregon is, it isn’t far-fetched to believe they can run the table in Las Vegas and win the Pac-12 tournament for the second straight season. They should blow past in-state rivals Oregon State and win another wire-to-wire game over UCLA, who got blown out by Washington State in their regular season finale. The semi-finals of the tournament are where I think Oregon runs into trouble with Arizona State. The Sun Devils have lost four of their last six games but have a well-balanced team led by guard Jahii Carson and big man Jordan Bachynski. The Ducks will play well but will simply run out of gas. But by that point, they’ll have more than secured an NCAA tournament berth.

Kostecka — This a tough call, especially since Oregon’s the hottest team entering the tournament. Oregon might even be the best team in the Pac-12, seeing that they just beat UCLA and the two Arizona schools the past two weeks.  Though I think Oregon’s magical run ends in the second round to UCLA. The Ducks were lucky to escape Los Angeles with a win but since the Bruins will have their two best players  —Jordan Adams and Kyle Anderson— in the rematch, I expect Oregon to be bounced early and to see their winning streak end at eight.

2) What is the key(s) for the Ducks to go deep in the tournament?

Kim — It may come off as cliché, but the keys to Oregon’s success will be based on defense and rebounding. Offense has been relatively consistent for the Ducks this year, so it’s going to come down to their performance in the paint and on the defensive end. If the Ducks can match their level of play in these past seven games, they should be in good hands.

Guernsey — The key is to play the way they’ve been playing during their seven-game winning streak, especially in second halves. In six of Oregon’s past seven games, they’ve scored more points in the second half than in the first, often after trailing or holding a slim lead at the break. The Ducks have also been shooting the lights out from the field, posting percentages of 40 or better six times and 50 or better twice. Mike Moser also needs to continue being an animal on the boards while Waverly Austin alters shots in the paint.

Kostecka — Depth, depth and more depth. In order to win the tournament, the Ducks will have to win four games in four days, a tall task for any team in the country. It’s going to be so hard to still have legs available come the semifinals and finals so the better that Oregon’s reserves play, the more rested the starters will be. That means that Dominic Artis, Jalil Abdul-Bassit, Elgin Cook and Ben Carter are going to have to play well in the first two rounds to make sure Johnathan Loyd, Joseph Young, Mike Moser and Co. are well-rested for the stretch run.

3) Which team is a sleeper to win the tournament?

Kim — As the seventh seed, Oregon is the sleeper to win the tournament. Though the Ducks were at one point ranked in the top 10 nationally, their inconsistency has held them from any ranking to reflect their talent and ability. With their wins against No. 3 ranked Arizona and UCLA, the Ducks are the clear sleepers in this year’s tournament with a bottom half seeding.

Guernsey — I wouldn’t call Oregon a sleeper given their third place finish in the conference, but based purely on their seed, they’re a major sleeper. Besides the Ducks, Arizona State has the best chance to shake things up and be the unexpected team to take home the hardware.They’ve been consistently in the top tier of the conference for much of the season but haven’t garnered much attention due to the remarkable success of another team in Arizona.

Kostecka —Utah is my sleeper pick to win the tournament, if they can get by Washington and Arizona in the first two rounds. Delon Wright might be the best all-around player (offense and defense) in the conference while Jordan Loveridge is a very capable scorer as a big man. They provide a tough one-two punch, and the rest of the team follows suit as a scrappy squad that can make anything happen. I can see the Utes winning it all and cutting down the nets or see them bounced out by Washington in the first round. Regardless, they’re my sleeper choice.

4) What are your predictions for how the tournament will play out?

Kim — I am predicting that the Pac-12 title game will be between Arizona and Oregon in one final matchup. Who will come out on top? I believe the Ducks are capable of pulling out one more upset and it is purely based on their recent play in mixture with the loss of Brandon Ashley. Though Arizona is clearly a top five team without Ashley, they have looked beatable without him and the Ducks are the recent example of this. Arizona may still be the better team individually, but there is no reason why the Ducks’ season-ending momentum won’t be enough to end with a 2-1 advantage season series over the Wildcats.

Guernsey — Speaking of the other team in Arizona, the Wildcats will win the Pac-12 tournament, as expected by many. Pac-12 player of the year Nick Johnson and freshman of the year Aaron Gordon are surrounded by exceptional players as well as conference coach of the year Sean Miller. Arizona will defeat Arizona State in the finals to begin what should be a very long NCAA tournament run, as long as they hit their free throws. Arizona is a sub-par team from the free throw line at 65.9 percent. Johnson and Kaleb Tarczewski are the only two players who shoot better better than 70 percent, while rotation guys like Gordon (44.7 percent), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (63.9 percent) and T.J. McConnell (63.4 percent) all struggle to consistently convert. Free throws are Arizona’s one and only Achilles heel, but it’s something to be aware of in the Pac-12 tournament and beyond.

Kostecka — Prior to cutting down nets after the West Regional Final of the NCAA tournament, Arizona is going to be cutting down the nets in in Las Vegas as Pac-12 tournament champions. While the Wildcats don’t have the greatest amount of depth, their overall talent is far superior compared to anyone in the tournament. Gordon will lead a defense that will suffocate opponents while being named as the tournament MVP. I think Arizona will beat UCLA in the championship after limiting Adams and Anderson and forcing someone else to beat them.

Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim
Follow Madison Guernsey on Twitter @guernseymd
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka

Every week during women’s basketball season, our sports staff will discuss different topics surrounding an upcoming game(s). Today, sports reporters Jonathan Hawthorne, Chris Keizur and Joseph Hoyt discuss the Pac-12 tournament, the last for Paul Westhead as Oregon’s head coach. The Ducks play Washington State in the first round of the tournament Thursday at 6 p.m.

1) How would you describe head coach Paul Westhead’s tenure at Oregon?

Hawthorne — Westhead’s time at Oregon fit the Oregon style of play to a tee. His fast-paced game excited people around the basketball world because he’s accomplished what no other coach ever has — winning a WNBA and NBA title. His Oregon experience has been nothing short of tumultuous filled with lots of learning and new ideas. His system has broken opposing teams down, proving that the running game can be effective. He inspired change at Oregon and ushered in a new era of Oregon basketball that will undoubtedly persevere well past his departure. His hire showed Oregon fans that the athletic department is not afraid to make bold moves and that should be exciting for fans as a new coach will come to Eugene within the next couple of months.

Keizur — I would have to describe Westhead’s time with the Ducks as a failed experiment. He was brought in because of his experience with the NBA and the hope that he could bring the excitement back to Oregon women’s basketball. He ran a unique and frenetic system that was fun to watch, but he missed on the most important part of being a coach: winning games. You need more than just talented players to win games, and at the price the school was paying for him, the end result should have been better than a perpetual .500 team. Westhead cost the program more than 3 million dollars, making him an ambitious, but perhaps not a good, hire.

Hoyt — When Westhead took over for Bev Smith in 2009, former athletic director Pat Kilkenny said he wanted a coach to emulate the exciting and innovative state of Oregon athletics and bring that to the women’s basketball team. Westhead succeeded in that department, making Oregon one of the highest scoring teams throughout his tenure. However, the Ducks consistently fell into the bottom of the barrel in regards to team defense. This makes every game a gamble, one that Westhead and the Ducks couldn’t consistently win. While his 65-90 record is dismal, Westhead did set the stage for a bright immediate future in Eugene. Jillian Alleyne and Chrishae Rowe are two pieces the next head coach can build around moving forward.

2) How do you think the team will react to Westhead’s departure?

Hawthorne — There’s no doubt that the announcement was hard on the players. This team adores Westhead. For example, some of the players woke up in the middle of the night when ESPN’s College Gameday was in town to display a life-sized print of Westhead in the crowd. Their poster even made national television. Westhead is a coaching legend. He’s one of the most respected coaches to ever coach basketball. The team will be fired up to play this weekend, not just for themselves, but to give their beloved coach one last curtain call in Oregon green and yellow.

Keizur — I’d like to think this team doesn’t need any motivation to play well in the Pac-12 tournament. Some will say that Westhead’s departure will spur the team on and make them want to send their coach off with a postseason appearance, but that implies that they weren’t already inspired to do so. Before the season, the team’s goal was to win 16 games, and right now they are only one away.

Hoyt — Oregon looked like a team hitting its stride in its final weekend. Undoubtedly, the loss of Westhead will light a fire under this team. The only problem is that this team does have a ceiling. Saying that Westhead’s departure will give Oregon the push it needs to take the conference tournament is extremely optimistic. However, they have an energy carrying from its Arizona sweep that will keep them competitive in every game throughout the tournament.

3) Is Ariel Thomas the key to a successful conference tournament?

Hawthorne — I think one of the problems this year has come when the team doesn’t play as a unit — that is, one or two players have, at times, taken over the game offensively. This cannot happen this weekend if the Ducks are looking to make a serious run. That being said, Thomas is a big part of the team’s overall plan. Her presence on the court makes Oregon a better team because she does everything with 100 percent effort and is never selfish with the ball.

Keizur — I think the key will be defense, so whoever can step up and contribute on that end of the court will be crucial toward Oregon’s success. That being said, I think Thomas could be that person. She has shown tenacity and defensive awareness these past couple of weeks that has been missing. I think as a senior her effort could be contagious, spurring the other players toward making some stops.

Hoyt — Ariel Thomas and the rest of the seniors are in a win-or-go-home situation. As the senior and vocal leader of the team, she’s brought an energy on the defensive side of the ball. She’s also developed a consistent jump shot since returning from her ankle injury. Plus, she certainly doesn’t want to end her senior season in mediocrity. With this in mind, she’s the most important player to this team as they look to make a run in the conference tournament.

4) How will the Ducks fair against Washington State in the first round in Seattle? If they win, do they have any chance against No. 20 Cal?

Hawthorne — I think that the Ducks have a great opportunity to knock off the Cougars. Both Oregon and Washington State run similar styles of offense, but the Ducks hold the advantage because the running game best suits their style of play. Oregon’s 108-88 loss on Feb. 23 was a fluke in many ways, and Oregon didn’t seem focused on the final road trip of the season. If California’s Brittany Boyd plays for the Bears, then Oregon will have its hands full, but keep an eye on the Ducks. They’re playing some of their best basketball of the season. They’re peaking at the right time and have serious upset potential.

Keizur — First off, every team has a chance to win on any given night. It’s why we play the games. That being said, I have trouble seeing Oregon making it any further than the first round this weekend. The Ducks have a great chance to beat Washington State, with whom they split the regular season games this year, but I just don’t see them beating Cal.

Hoyt — Personally, I don’t think Oregon will struggle against Washington State. The Ducks split the season series with the Cougars, but I think if Thomas could take out either Tia Presley or Lia Galdeira, then the rest of the team can hold its own against the rest of WSU’s attack. If the Ducks wants any chance of upsetting the Golden Bears, they need to play one of the best games of their season. They have a shot with the team being fully healthy, but it wouldn’t be an easy one.

Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne
Follow Chris Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @jhoyt42

Every week during baseball season, our sports staff will discuss various topics surrounding an upcoming Oregon series. Today, sports reporters Chris Mosch, Andrew Bantly and Madison Guernsey discuss the implications of Cal State Fullerton’s sweep of the Ducks over the weekend and preview Oregon’s five games this week.

1) What’s your biggest takeaway from the Fullerton sweep over the weekend?

Mosch — Friday was ugly. But during the last two games, Oregon had a chance to win until the very end. Oregon’s a quality team and despite not being able to pick up a win during the weekend, they should be able to keep pace with Oregon State and UCLA come Pac-12 play. Matt Krook was impressive on Saturday despite not having his best stuff and could very well emerge as the team’s ace. The Ducks continued their aggressive baserunning over the weekend and for the most part, it paid off. There were multiple times that Oregon caught Fullerton off-guard with delayed steals that appeared to have the Titans somewhat rattled. Yes, Aaron Payne was caught stealing to end Sunday’s game, but it was a justifiable risk considering the Ducks were playing to score one run.

Bantly — The Ducks had their first big test this past weekend against Fullerton. Friday was an absolute disaster but in the final two games, the Ducks proved their ability to compete against the best. Though they didn’t end up with a win, they played really well on Saturday and Sunday and came up just short. On Saturday, the Ducks were feet away from a walkoff win against the Titans and against one of the most dominant closers in college baseball. So, though they were swept, the final two games showed that the Ducks can compete against a top team like Fullerton.

Guernsey — The loss of Cole Irvin is really going to hurt against the nation’s best and down the stretch. Oregon’s rotation has been a bit makeshift and inconsistent this season and Irvin’s 12 wins and 2.48 ERA from a season ago will be missed, as will his strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 3-to-1. The Ducks’ staff has done a good job so far without Irvin, but until the rotation gets more solidified, Oregon has just two definite weekend starters in Krook and Tommy Thorpe.

2) Did the Ducks need a bump in the road like this in non-conference play?

Mosch — While being swept in your home park is certainly an eye opener, I don’t think Oregon needed Fullerton to tell them what kind of level they need to play at to make it to Omaha. This is a team that missed Omaha two years ago by the slimmest of margins and made an early exit during regional play last year. Oregon has limited the amount of miscues after every series this season. They’ve made less defensive errors after the Hawaii series and they avoided baserunning blunders against Fullerton that hurt them during the LMU series. The next task will be for the pitching staff to limit the amount of walks issued.

Bantly — Well before the Fullerton series, head coach George Horton talked about how that series will show where the team was at compared to top competition, competition similar to what they would see in Omaha if they get there. Yet, since it is so early, it shows where the Ducks need to be to get to the College World Series in mid-June. So I think this past series, especially because Oregon got swept, will set a standard of play for the Ducks on how they need to perform in order to get to their well specified goal: Omaha.

Guernsey — The Fullerton series was a definite eye-opener after Oregon swept two lesser-feared opponents. The fact that it was early in the season is a plus for the Ducks. With two more series until Pac-12 play begins, Horton and the coaching staff will harp on the little things like mental mistakes and fundamentals to ensure that Oregon is not only playing its best ball at the end of the season, but that its plays well enough in the mean time for the end of the season to matter.

3) Should the Ducks shake anything up in the rotation and/or lineup?

Mosch — A.J. Balta appears to have emerged as a starter for coach Horton and I would assume that he will get the most consistent playing time between himself, Austin Grebeck and Connor Hofmann once Scott Heineman returns. Horton has shown he isn’t afraid to play the platoon and utilize his deep bench, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hofmann and Grebeck split time until one of them runs away with the position. Porter Clayton will likely get a second start on Sunday against Ohio State and certainly doesn’t want to wait out another rain delay. Despite a rough outing against Fullerton, Clayton was dominant out of the bullpen early in the season and has a better repertoire than Oregon’s other options. He certainly deserves another shot to lock down Oregon’s Sunday slot.

Bantly — I have to assume that if Heineman returns to the starting lineup this week, then Hofmann will be the Duck to go to the bench. Hofmann is a great center fielder for the Ducks, but is struggling at the plate. The senior is hitting .222 and with Heineman returning at third base, that will push Mitchell Tolman back to first base and A.J. Balta with nowhere to go. Freshman A.J. Balta has been hitting well, not to mention almost hitting a walkoff on Saturday, and has been a strong six hitter for Oregon so far. Balta, who is normally a corner outfielder, would push Grebeck, who got time playing that position against Fullerton, to center. Overall, with Balta and Grebeck (hitting .364) in the outfield the Ducks have a better lineup, and Grebeck still can play a good center field defensively.  

Guernsey — The lineup situation is tough because so many guys that play the same position are hitting well. Freshman outfielder Grebeck is hitting .364, but Kyle Garlick and Tyler Baumgartner are also raking in runs while Hoffmann provides more speed and defense. At shortstop, the loss of J.J. Altobelli has been a noticeable one. Kevin Minjares has already made four errors (.889 fielding percentage) and hasn’t found his swing (.167 batting average). Neither has backup Mark Karaviotis. The situation gets even trickier when Scott Heineman returns from injury. Heineman was one of Oregon’s best hitters last season, but is off to a slow start, hitting .161 through 31 at-bats.  

4) How will the Ducks do against Seattle in Tuesday’s doubleheader and Ohio State this weekend?

Mosch — Oregon should be able to handle Seattle and Ohio State and I expect them to win both series. The matchup to watch this week will be Friday’s game when Thorpe will look to bounce back from his worst start of the season. He’ll face Ohio State ace Greg Greve (2.08 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in three starts).

Bantly– I don’t think Seattle will prove to be much of an opponent for Oregon in their doubleheader on Tuesday. Ohio State (7-3) hasn’t faced much competition so far this year, but the Buckeyes have played all their games on the road. But with the way Oregon played in the last two games against Fullerton, I think the Ducks should be able to sweep that series.

Guernsey — I think Oregon bounces back this week. They take two from Seattle on Tuesday and win two out of three against Ohio State in the weekend series. Clayton is projected to start Sunday in the finale of the Ohio State series, but struggled in his first start on Sunday against Fullerton. Jeff Gold will start game one against Seattle and could be ready by Sunday, which would give Oregon a better chance to win.

Follow Chris Mosch on Twitter @chris_mosch
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @abant3
Follow Madison Guernsey on Twitter @guernseymd

1) Going into the Washington games last week, it felt like the Ducks could pick up two wins on the road. Instead, they lost both. What happened?

Hawthorne — The Ducks were outshot by Washington State in the second half 66.7 percent to 33.3 percent. That cannot happen for this Oregon team that is highly dependent on making shots, especially on the fast break. Also, there might have been a lack of focus. The Ducks swept the Washington schools at home and potentially went in with the mindset that they had the upperhand.

Keizur — Oregon just ran out of energy down the stretch in both games. Against Washington, the Ducks were able to fight back into the game, pulling within six points with 2:42 left on the clock, only to see the Huskies hold on for the victory. Then against Washington State the Ducks gave up big, scoring runs to the Cougars in the second half leading to a lopsided defeat. It has been a long season for Oregon, with wins coming few and far between, so a lack of energy in close games is understandable.

Hoyt — Oregon needed to beat the Washington schools last weekend but they failed to do it. Against Washington, Oregon’s Jillian Alleyne exploded scoring 30 points and Katelyn Loper returning from injury added 24 points. In the end, they couldn’t keep it up and lost by eight. Washington State’s dynamic duo Tia Presley and Lia Galdeira combined for 59 points as the Cougars served the Ducks with a 108-88 win. Oregon needed to rebound against the Washington schools, but instead headed into the final weekend on a five-game losing streak.

2) Katelyn Loper played well in her return last week. What does her presence on the court mean for the Ducks?

Hawthorne — I was very impressed with Loper’s play this past weekend: she scored 22 points against WSU and drilled seven three-pointers against UW to finish with 18 points. Her play can carry the Ducks offensively when her shots fall. Her presence on the court cannot be overlooked. Look for her to continue her success this weekend, especially shooting at Matthew Knight Arena.

Keizur — Having Loper on the court is a huge plus for the Ducks, as she brings toughness and attitude. Loper is one of those players who can get her shot up at will, which can open up space for her teammates. When she’s knocking down threes —like she was this weekend— it gives easier shots to everyone else as the defense must check out to her.

Hoyt – If Loper can continue her hot streak from this past weekend, then her return is huge for Oregon. She combined to score 46 points against the two schools. Despite her high-scoring performances, the Ducks lost both games. Oregon needs a third player to step up in the final weekend. Loper and Alleyne carried the load, but the Ducks need someone else to pick up the load.

3) Due to a bookkeeping error, on Tuesday we discovered Alleyne is actually 43 rebounds shy of the Pac-12 record of 466, set by Stanford’s Chiney Ogwumike last season. Will she be able to finish the year with the record, with at least three games left this season?  

Hawthorne — Without a doubt. Alleyne will be the Pac-12 record-holder in rebounds before the season is all wrapped up. She’s leading the nation, averaging 15.7 rebounds per game, and I don’t see any reason why she won’t be able to record 43 rebounds in three more games (she needs an average of 14.4 rebounds per game to set the record). The record will only be the icing on the cake for Alleyne, who has shined brightly and become the face of the program.

Keizur — Simple math says that Alleyne will get the Pac-12 rebounding record. With at least three games left on the schedule and Alleyne averaging 15.7 per game, she should end with an additional 48 rebounds, giving her a five-rebound cushion. Of course, if she is unable to approach her season average she will fall short. But given her drive and competitiveness, there is no way she will fail to reclaim the record.

Hoyt — Rebounding is something that Alleyne loves to excel at. Getting the conference rebounding record will be evidence of how far she’s come in her second year. She’ll get the record this weekend.

4) With Arizona and Arizona State coming into Eugene for the final two games of the season, what does Oregon have to do to end the season on a high note?

Hawthorne — In an ideal world for the Ducks, they’d win both of these games this weekend. Earlier this season, the Ducks fell just short in a 97-94 loss at Arizona State, and are most certainly looking for revenge. However, head coach Paul Westhead will have to ensure that the entire team is in the right mindset after a disappointing travel weekend to the Washington schools. Look for the Ducks to narrowly edge out ASU and win with convincing fashion against Arizona on senior day.

Keizur — The most obvious answer is win. Even though the season hasn’t gone as Oregon would have hoped, with a 13-14 overall record, if the team can end the season on a high note it could help morale as players head into the offseason. At home, where the Ducks have been significantly better this season, they have a great chance of claiming two victories against the Arizona schools. Plus, the team will want to win on Sunday to honor their seniors in the final home game of their careers.

Hoyt — Beating Arizona State would be a huge way for Oregon to end the regular season. Taking out the No. 20 ranked team in the nation, at home, would be a motivating factor for this team heading into the conference tournament. Arizona at home shouldn’t be too big of an issue.

Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne
Follow Chris Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @jhoyt42

Every week during baseball season, our sports staff will discuss various topics surrounding an upcoming Oregon series. Today, Emerald digital sports editor Victor Flores and sports reporters Chris Mosch and Andrew Bantly discuss the Ducks’ hot start, Tuesday’s game versus Portland and the big weekend series against Cal State Fullerton.

1) The Ducks are 7-0, but several of their games were close late. Is this a positive or negative?

Flores — It’s not a complete negative or positive, but I’d lean towards the negative side. Hawaii and Loyola Marymount are far from elite teams, and Oregon went down to the wire in all of its games against them. Even in their largest three wins (10-5 and 10-2 over Hawaii, 12-2 over LMU), the Ducks either held small leads or were tied going into the final three innings. It’s still hard to derive much meaning from seven games, but the fact that Oregon’s had to grind in each of its wins is concerning. This is still a top-20 team, but don’t be surprised if the Ducks falter once they face tougher opponents like Cal State Fullerton.

Mosch — Four of Oregon’s first seven wins have been by margins of two runs or less, which understandably has some Duck fans nervous considering that the first two series have been against teams that finished below .500 last season. However, the Ducks should expect to find themselves in lots of close games this season given their strong pitching staff and middling offense, which makes having an elite bullpen even more vital. The core of the bullpen has thrived so far, as Jake Reed, Darrell Hunter, Porter Clayton and Trent Paddon have allowed just one run (zero earned) and 11 baserunners in 16.1 innings. Garrett Cleavinger had a three-run hiccup against Hawaii, but he’s flashed an elite ability to miss bats (eight of his 11 outs have been strikeouts).

Bantly — Oregon’s has scored more than four runs in five of their seven games. So offense hasn’t been much of a problem for the Ducks so far, which is what many thought would be the weakness of this team. But pitching and defense has caused some of Oregon’s first seven games to be close. This team can’t afford to surrender 3 or more runs per game consistently, which is harder said then done. But because it is still so early in the season and pitchers’ arms are still warming up to game situations, I don’t see it as a problem. So far.

2) Which Oregon player has impressed you the most so far?

Flores — I figured Matt Krook would be good this year, but I wondered if he’d struggle coming out of the gate given he’s a freshman starting pitcher. He’s squashed all such doubts so far. Through his two starts, Krook has a 2.03 earned run average, 19 strikeouts and three walks in 13.1 innings. Tommy Thorpe has a better ERA (1.38) but Krook has easily been Oregon’s best pitcher (albeit in two starts), due to his elite ability to pound the strike zone and miss bats. The Ducks are lucky Krook decided to choose Oregon over the MLB.

Mosch — Kyle Garlick has been the middle-of-the-order bat that the Ducks needed after graduating Ryon Healy, producing a .429/.586/.667 slash line through the first seven games. We’re obviously working with small samples here, but an eight-to-three walk-to-strikeout ratio is always a sign of good plate discipline.

Bantly — Freshman A.J. Balta has really solidified the Oregon outfield. Though Balta is still sharing time with senior Connor Hofmann and freshman Austin Grebeck, he’s provided a bat that wasn’t known to be there entering the season. With Garlick and Tyler Baumgartner leading the team offensively, Balta makes the Oregon outfield possibly one of the best in the Pac-12. Balta is hitting .353 with two doubles, a triple and four RBI while only striking out three times. If Balta produces numbers like these on a consistent basis, head coach George Horton will have no choice but to keep the freshman in the outfield.

3) What will be the key for Oregon to win this weekend’s series versus a top 10 team in Cal State Fullerton?

Flores — Oregon’s lineup needs to step up, especially in high-leverage situations like it did against Hawaii and LMU. Fullerton has one of the best pitching staffs in the nation, especially among their starters. Thomas Eshelman has posted a 1.67 ERA and an absurd 103-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over the past two seasons, and Justin Garza and Graham Wiest aren’t far behind. Overall, Fullerton has posted ERAs of 2.47 and 1.95 in each of the past two seasons. Besides Oregon State, the Ducks probably won’t face a pitching staff even close to Fullerton’s level, so Oregon’s hitters can’t afford poor at-bats this weekend.

Mosch — Oregon was able to get away with defensive and baserunning miscues against Hawaii and LMU, but they will need to be flawless in those areas to win against Fullerton. The Ducks tightened up their defense against LMU, but there were a number of instances where they gave away outs on the basepaths. An Oregon baserunner was picked off in each game of the three-game series and Baumgartner made the cardinal sin of making the final out of the inning at third base during the first inning of game one. The Ducks need to be better disciplined on the basepaths in order to earn the series win.

Bantly — Oregon needs to control the game and the pitching staff needs to lead the way. Fullerton not only has a great pitching rotation but they have a solid offense as well. Fullerton is led by Clay Williamson (.455 batting average, six RBI, four doubles), Tanner Pinkston (.444 BA, four RBI), Matt Chapman (.344, one home run, six RBI) and J.D. Davis (.310 BA, two HR, two triples, and 5 RBI). Oregon can’t afford to let Fullerton gain momentum early in the game because it will be important to keep the Titans offense in check.

4) How will the Ducks fair tonight against Portland and this weekend against Fullerton?

Flores — The Ducks should handle Portland, although their penchant for close games could result in an unexpected loss in their first home game of the season. Fullerton’s 4-3 record doesn’t represent its ability. The Titans are one of the best teams in the nation and will give Oregon a test they can’t fully prepare for. The Ducks won’t get wiped off the field, but they will struggle, losing two-out-of three this upcoming weekend.

Mosch — Jeff Gold had a stellar first outing and should continue that success against a Portland team that finished last in the West Coast Conference in OPS last year. Fullerton will be one of Oregon’s toughest challenges of the year despite its deceiving 4-3 start to the season. The Titans boast one of the deepest rotations in the country, returning their weekend staff of Eshelman, Garza and Wiest, which combined for a 2.23 ERA and 0.89 WHIP last year. The pitching staff is so deep that freshman Phil Bickford — the 10th overall pick in last year’s MLB draft — has been working out of the bullpen for the Titans. Oregon’s Jordan Spencer failed to make it out of the fifth inning in both of his first two starts of the season and will need to turn in a spotless performance in order for the Ducks to have a chance at winning this series. Ultimately, I think Fullerton takes two of three in Eugene.

Bantly — Gold should get the job done without problems tonight as he did in Hawaii. Gold seems happy to have the mid-week role and treats it as if it was a weekend start. Oregon should look to win the series but will have to be content if they only leave the weekend with a single win. Though Oregon had some rough patches with Hawaii and LMU, Fullerton has struggled, too. The Titans have lost three of their seven games but will want to get back on track against Oregon. This weekend is going to be a big momentum swing for whoever can win the series, but don’t expect a sweep. I also expect Fullerton to win two of three.

Follow Victor Flores on Twitter @vflores415
Follow Chris Mosch on Twitter @chris_mosch
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @abant3

Every week during men’s basketball season, our sports staff will discuss different topics surrounding an upcoming game(s). Today, sports reporters Hayden Kim, Madison Guernsey and Ryan Kostecka discuss tomorrow’s matchup between Oregon and Washington State, the potential fallout from Damyean Dotson’s citation and Oregon’s NCAA tournament projections.

1) If the Ducks decide to suspend Damyean Dotson, how much will that hurt them down the stretch?

Kim — Without knowing the extent of the suspension, it will be hard to gauge the short/long -effects of playing without Dotson. Having said that, any game without Dotson will be exactly what it sounds like. Dotson hasn’t been having the best year statistically, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t vital to the Ducks. If the suspension does indeed turn out to be for the remainder of the regular season, that may just be enough to keep the Ducks from finishing out what has been a valiant late-season effort towards receiving an NCAA tournament bid.

Guernsey — It’ll hurt. Dotson has started every game this season, is Oregon’s fourth-leading scorer and has really come on as of late, recording 12 or more points in two of his last three games. Dotson has been a quietly consistent contributor for the Ducks and was a huge part of Oregon’s hot streak to end last season, averaging 16 points per game in the Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments. A suspension would mean reaching deeper into Oregon’s bench and likely inserting Jason Calliste or Ben Carter into the starting lineup. We won’t know for sure until the situation develops further, but losing Dotson down the stretch would definitely hurt Oregon’s NCAA tourney chances.

Kostecka — The immediate effects if Dotson is suspended will be felt in a massive way. As I wrote after Oregon’s win over Washington, Dotson has been Oregon’s best player during the winning streak and his ability on offense AND defense will limit the Ducks in both areas if he’s sidelined. The Ducks have a pretty deep team but with the struggles of Dominic Artis, that leaves a backcourt of just Joseph Young, Johnathon Loyd and Jason Calliste. Oregon can beat Washington State without Dotson but in order to beat UCLA, Arizona State and Arizona, the Ducks are going to need a full team. Otherwise, their season will be over with a loss.

2) The Ducks have won two games in a row. Are they hitting their stride?

Hayden Kim — It’s ironic to say this considering Dotson might be out of the lineup for the next few games, but the Ducks are hitting their stride and have looked as close as they have to when they went 13-0 in non-conference play. But their most noticeable spark has come from their positive attitude following their recent two-game winning streak. If the Ducks lose Dotson, that attitude just may be in jeopardy moving forward.

Guernsey — It’s tough to say. Their last two wins were important and they played better, but a win over Washington State won’t add much in terms of them hitting their stride. Their Los Angeles road trip and huge final home stand against the Arizona schools will say much more about what kind of team this is heading into the Pac-12 Tournament. Of course, losing Dotson won’t help, so if that happens it’ll be interesting to see how his teammates respond.

Kostecka — This is the best Oregon has looked since being ranked No. 10 in the country almost two months ago. While the Ducks are still a long ways away from that No. 10 ranking, they’re a team that’s extremely battle-tested and is learning how to finish games, something they’ve done the past two games. If Oregon had found a way to score 17 total points over a five-game span, they’d be in first place in the conference – that 17 points separates first place from 10th place. Oregon is hitting their stride right now and will continue to keep winning and make the tournament.

3) CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm projects Oregon as a 10-seed in the NCAA tournament. Is that projection too high, too low or just right?

Kim — I would err on the side of that projection being too high. Though the Ducks began conference play as a top 10 team in the Associated Press poll, they have since looked like an unranked team. Considering last year’s team entered the tournament as a 12-seed, it would be hard to see the Ducks outbid them in any fashion. Add that with the possible late-season loss of Dotson and, honestly, the Ducks will simply be thankful to be in the tournament, let alone as a 10-seed.

Guernsey — After a strong regular season and winning the Pac-12 tournament last year, Oregon was still just a 12-seed. Obviously the field will be different this year, but as of now, Oregon’s resume isn’t good enough to warrant a 10-seed. The Ducks’ RPI is 39 and they are 1-6 against teams in the top 50 RPI (the one win came against BYU). Their next best win is over Georgetown, which has the 62nd best RPI. With their current resume, Oregon would be lucky to be an 11- or 12-seed and have to play into the tournament. The good news for the Ducks is that they have three games remaining against strong RPI teams, all of whom are also poised to make the tournament per Palm’s projections (No. 2 Arizona, No. 12 UCLA and No. 31 Arizona State).

Kostecka — Too high. In my opinion, as of right now, Oregon is still not a tournament team. They are, however, a legit bubble team who has the best chance to play themselves into the tournament amongst all bubble teams. After this week, UCLA, Arizona State and Arizona should be ranked top-25 in the country and if Oregon beats all of them over last two weeks, the Ducks will be a for-sure in the tournament. Depending on how they play in the Pac-12 tournament, they’ll be an 11-14 seed.

4) Who wins on Sunday night, and how close will the final score be?

Kim — The Ducks will win their third game in a row. Though Washington State will have Davonte Lacy in the lineup this time around, the Ducks simply overmatch them in virtually every facet of the game and shouldn’t have too much problem sweeping the series matchup. The potential loss of Dotson will be the only question in regards to how the Ducks approach this game mentally.

Guernsey — Oregon wins by 12. The Cougars are statistically the worst team in the conference in several categories and live and die by the three-point shot. Lacy will be back and will help Washington State not get blown out like last time these teams played, but that won’t be enough to slow down Oregon’s offense, which has come back to form in the last week.

Kostecka — Ducks will win by 23. Washington State is a much different team with Lacy in the lineup but it’s not nearly good enough to take down Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena, even if the Ducks don’t have Dotson. Oregon will be quick to run the Cougars out of the arena while having their much-improved defense lock down Washington State from all areas. Oregon is riding a much-needed three-game wining streak heading into its Southern California road trip.

Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim
Follow Madison Guernsey on Twitter @guernseymd
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka

Every week during baseball season, our sports staff will discuss various topics surrounding an upcoming Oregon series. Today, Emerald digital sport editor Victor Flores and sports reporters Chris Mosch and Andrew Bantly discuss the Ducks’ four-game sweep over Hawaii and their upcoming series against Loyola Marymount.

1) What should be Oregon’s biggest takeaway from its sweep of Hawaii this past weekend?

Flores — The starting pitching. Jordan Spencer struggled a bit in his start, giving up two runs, three walks and five hits in 3.1 innings, but everyone else was excellent. Besides Spencer, only Jeff Gold gave up an earned run, and it literally was just one earned run. Tommy Thorpe was solid and freshman Matt Krook was electric. It’s still way too early to tell, but the season-ending injury to Cole Irvin might not be as costly as some imagined.

Mosch — Matt Krook appears to be as good as advertised. Despite being a bit erratic at times (seven wild pitches), Krook was electric in his first collegiate start, striking out eight batters and allowing just five hits in seven innings. Krook and Thorpe should make for a strong 1-2 at the top of the rotation. The bullpen also had an impressive showing, as Darrell Hunter, Jake Reed and Porter Clayton all pitched multiple innings without giving up an earned run. And don’t worry about Garrett Cleavinger. His three-run outing in game two was merely a hiccup. He’s still one of the best relievers in the Pac-12.

Bantly — Despite playing a Hawaii team that will be one of Oregon’s weaker opponents of their season, the Ducks should be happy with the way they fought through tough situations. Matt Krook made his first start on Sunday and the defense wasn’t there to back him up. However, he continued to fight through the defensive struggles to pitch a solid game. And the offense found a way to win on Sunday. It’s no secret that the Ducks’ may struggle on offense, but Sunday they found a way to win not only due to the defense but the Ducks were down two runs to open the ninth inning and they found a way to tie the game and then win the game in extras.

2) The Ducks stole 13 bases (on 17 attempts) against Hawaii. How important is the running game for this team?

Flores — The key stat is the 17 steal attempts. If the Ducks can consistently swipe bases at such a high rate (76.5 percent), they should continue to run on a regular basis. So the running game is important, but only if they run often and do so at an elite rate. Considering how devoid they are of power hitters, getting runners in scoring position for free would significantly help this offense. It’s a much more effective strategy than continuously bunting, thus giving up outs, in order to move runners up.

Mosch — Given Oregon’s dearth of power hitters, the best bet to score runs will be to play small ball. The Ducks managed only five extra base hits during this past weekend’s four-game series, so their offensive production will be contingent on their success on the basepaths. This can be either by being successful on steal attempts or by taking the extra base (going from first to third on singles). The caveat is that this strategy can only work if Oregon maintains a strong success rate on the basepaths. They can’t be giving away crucial outs.

Bantly — It’s simple, really. The Ducks will play a — get him on, get him over, and get him in — type of offense. If they can find a way to put additional pressure on the opposition’s pitcher, that will allow not only for base stealers to get into scoring position, but also more hittable pitches for the batter. Pitchers will want to throw more fastballs and won’t focus as much on location when their mind is preoccupied with the runner on base. If the Ducks can be consistent with their running attack and gain a reputation it will help the offense score dramatically. 

3) Which area do the Ducks need to improve the most?

Flores — Other than the first game of the series, Oregon’s relievers gave up at least one run in each game. In game three, Garrett Cleavinger gave up three runs in the eighth inning, turning a 3-2 lead into a two-run deficit. Luckily for the Ducks, the offense scored three more runs in that game and produced throughout the series. But the offense isn’t always going to be this good, so the bullpen can’t afford to give up late leads.

Mosch — The defense got off to a rocky start in Hawaii, as Oregon defenders committed nine errors during the series. I don’t expect defense to be a long-term problem, as part of the problem this past weekend was just a lack of focus, as evidenced by when shortstop Kevin Minjares dropped a routine pop up in the first game. The Ducks were lucky that Hawaii’s defense was even more sloppy, but they won’t continue to win close games with this many errors.

Bantly — Defensively, Oregon can’t play like they did in Hawaii. LMU and many of their opponents they will face this season will take advantage of the miscues. The Ducks had nine errors in Hawaii, which averages to more than two per game. Though that doesn’t sound too terrible, it’s going to lose games. The left side especially needs to improve. Third baseman Scott Heineman and shortstop Kevin Minjares played poorly in Hawaii. The two combined for six errors on the weekend and those two are considered to be locked-in starters, at least for now.

4) Who will win this weekend series?

Flores — Loyola Marymount is better than Hawaii but, like the Ducks, the Lions are without one of their best pitchers this season due to Tommy John’s surgery. Trevor Megill underwent the surgery last spring. Loyola Marymount has plenty of talent but many of their best players are young and unproven. Plus, the team is still well behind Oregon in most facets. The Ducks will drop the first game to Lions ace Colin Welmon but will bounce back and win the final two.

Mosch — Oregon was able to take two of three from Loyola Marymount last season in Eugene, and I expect a similar result this time. Loyola Marymount’s top two pitchers, Colin Welmon and Patrick McGrath, should give Oregon more trouble than anybody Hawaii was able to throw at them. Oregon should ultimately win this series, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lions are able to steal a game.

Bantly — I’m not too comfortable to say that Oregon is going to win the series. I think Oregon has the better chance of the two to win the series but Oregon’s defense seems to be an issue early. In facing LMU, miscues need to be to a minimum and the Lions’ pitching staff won’t let Oregon get away with the errors as Hawaii did. This series will be the first real test of the season for the Oregon offense so it will be interesting to see how they perform especially if the Ducks are struggling on defense. Oregon wins the Sunday game to take the series 2-1.

Follow Victor Flores on Twitter @vflores415
Follow Chris Mosch on Twitter @chris_mosch
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @abant3

Every week during women’s basketball season, our sports staff will discuss different topics surrounding an upcoming game(s). Today, sports reporters Jonathan Hawthorne, Chris Keizur and Joseph Hoyt discuss Friday’s matchup between Oregon and Washington and Sunday’s game between the Ducks and Washington State.

1. What should we make of Oregon’s season after the two losses against the Southern California schools over the weekend?

Hawthorne — The Ducks still have much to play for. This last weekend was a definite setback for Oregon, but with upcoming weekend games against the Washington and Arizona schools, the Ducks still have the opportunity to prove that they’ve made great strides this season, improving upon their 4-27 season last year.

Keizur — There isn’t much to say, other than that Oregon was simply outplayed. Unfortunately, the results have pretty much severed any chance of this team making it to the postseason, barring an unlikely Pac-12 tournament run. While this team has been entertaining running head coach Paul Westhead’s system this season, one has to wonder whether a mix-up is required for this team to succeed. I fear we have witnessed the ceiling for this team.

Hoyt — Oregon had all the momentum and a shot at turning its season around for the good heading into last weekend. Following its 103-83 loss to UCLA this past Monday, the team echoed the fact that they missed a golden opportunity. With four games left in the regular season, the Ducks need to catch fire if they want any chance at making a run in the conference tournament.

2. What is going on with Chrishae Rowe? Is she just feeling frustrated as teams are adjusting to her or is the problem more pronounced?

Hawthorne — I think that the Pac-12 conference is beginning to adjust to the stellar freshman. Rowe’s still learning how to be an effective shooter in conference play and her adjustment will only take time. As the nation’s leading scorer among freshman, she has turned plenty of heads in Eugene and will surely be a standout scorer for many years to come.

Keizur — Rowe is a great player. She’s also only a freshman, and that lack of experience showed itself this past week. She shot a rough 1-of-16 from the floor against UCLA. The problem was partly due to some solid defense by the Bruins and partly due to poor shot selection. Rowe will learn to deal with the added attention that all superstars must face and should be able to refine her game to generate good looks at the basket.

Hoyt — Rowe is used to being the best player on a winning team, like many talented freshmen that enter a college program. So, with that in mind, adjusting to a team who experiences an up and down season like Oregon is currently undergoing is going to be tough. Rowe looked like a frustrated player during the UCLA game, but like Alleyne said, I expect Rowe to comeback in this weekend’s road trip to Washington.

3. Who do you see as the headliner for this weekends’ games in Seattle and Pullman?

Hawthorne — I think Ariel Thomas will continue to impress in her final games as a Duck. She recorded a career-high 28 points in the loss against UCLA and has shown that her ability score was not hindered by a mid-season injury. Look for her to continue to excel against the Washington schools.

Keizur — I’m going to make the safe bet and say forward Alleyne will be the star this weekend. The last time she took on the Washington schools she put up monster numbers, finishing with a combined 56 points and 44 rebounds. I think it will be the same for her this weekend as she will easily record two double-doubles.

Hoyt — Just like Alleyne came back last weekend against UCLA and USC, I expect Rowe to have two of her best performances of the season this weekend. Rowe is an elite scorer in this conference and, when she’s feeling it, can make a shot from anywhere on the floor. She’ll bounce back this weekend and steal the headlines.

4. Will the Ducks rebound and win against Washington and/or Washington State this weekend?

Hawthorne — There is no doubt that both Washington and Washington State will be fired up, as Oregon swept the Washington schools on their trip to Eugene earlier this season. I think the Ducks will sweep these schools again, building momentum heading into the conference tournament.

Keizur — These two games will be tough for an Oregon team that has struggled mightily on the road this season. Though the Ducks were able to sweep the Washington schools at home earlier this season, it is tough to beat anyone two times in a row. Injuries also have to be a concern for this Oregon team, something they have dealt with all season. I foresee two losses for the Ducks.

Hoyt — Mental strength is the most important asset down the stretch. We’ll see how much this Oregon team has when they face the Washington teams this weekend. Thomas and Danielle Love, the two seniors in the starting lineup, need to grab hold of this team and lead them with four games left. Oregon will lose a close one to Washington, 89-86, but will bounce back against Washington State, winning 96-83.

Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne
Follow Chris Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @jhoyt42