Fantasy Sports Outlook

Pac-10 tournament Quarterfinal game

Oregon (18-12) vs. (21) Washington State (23-7)

Predicted Outcome

Oregon 65, Washington State 64

GAME NOTES: The sixth-seeded Oregon Ducks begin defense of their Pac-10 Tournament title this evening, as they clash with the third-seeded and 21st- ranked Washington Cougars in the quarterfinal round at the Staples Center. Awaiting the winner of this game is a spot in the semifinals on Friday against either Stanford or Arizona. Thanks to three straight wins to close out the regular season, the Ducks were able to finish an even 9-9 in league play. Oregon will now try to carry its momentum over to the Pac-10 Tournament, where it has gone 12-7, including two titles. As the fourth-seed last season, the Ducks captured the championship with an 81-57 trouncing of USC in the finals. As for WSU, it put together another solid campaign, going 23-7 overall and 11-7 within the conference. The Cougars however, have not enjoyed much success in the Pac-10 Tournament, posting just three wins against eight losses. WSU swept both meetings from Oregon during the regular season, but the Ducks still lead the all-time series by a 154-118 count.

The Ducks closed out the regular season as the second highest scoring team in the Pac-10, averaging a hardy 77.0 ppg behind an efficient 48.4 percent shooting from the field and an equally as good 40.1 percent from long range. Malik Hairston paces this potent attack with 16.0 ppg and he is also collecting 4.7 rpg and shooting 43.6 percent from long distance. Maarty Leunen nearly averages a double-double for Oregon with 15.4 ppg and a team-high 9.3 rpg, and the Second-Team All-Pac-10 selection is also knocking down an impressive 53.3 percent of his three-point attempts. Tajuan Porter turns in 13.6 ppg, while Bryce Taylor chips in with 13.1 ppg on the strength of 39.8 percent shooting from downtown.

The Cougars will counters the Ducks’ explosive offense with their tenacious defense, as they are allowing a league-low 56.0 ppg. At the other end of the court, WSU is shooting a solid 47.8 ppg for the an average of 66.8 ppg. Derrick Lowe, a third-team all-league choice, leads the way with 13.9 ppg and he is knocking down 39.0 percent of his long-range attempts. Kyle Weaver earned second-team all-conference honors due to his versatility, as he puts forth 11.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.4 apg and a team-best 51 steals. Taylor Rochestie and Aron Baynes chip in 10.8 and 10.6 ppg, respectively, with Rochestie handing out a team-high 4.6 apg and Baynes pulling down a club-best 5.9 rpg.

This should be an intriguing game, as the Ducks’ high scoring attack meets the Cougars’ stingy defense. WSU got the best of Oregon during the regular season, but the Ducks have the talent and explosiveness to get their revenge this evening.

GAME NOTES: The sixth-seeded Oregon Ducks begin defense of their Pac-10 Tournament title this evening, as they clash with the third-seeded and 21st- ranked Washington Cougars in the quarterfinal round at the Staples Center. Awaiting the winner of this game is a spot in the semifinals on Friday against either Stanford or Arizona. Thanks to three straight wins to close out the regular season, the Ducks were able to finish an even 9-9 in league play. Oregon will now try to carry its momentum over to the Pac-10 Tournament, where it has gone 12-7, including two titles. As the fourth-seed last season, the Ducks captured the championship with an 81-57 trouncing of USC in the finals. As for WSU, it put together another solid campaign, going 23-7 overall and 11-7 within the conference. The Cougars however, have not enjoyed much success in the Pac-10 Tournament, posting just three wins against eight losses. WSU swept both meetings from Oregon during the regular season, but the Ducks still lead the all-time series by a 154-118 count.

Fact Stats

FACTS & STATS: Staples Center (18,997) — Los Angeles, California. Television: FSN. Home Record: Oregon 12-3, WSU 12-4. Away Record: Oregon 5-7, WSU 10-3. Neutral Record: Oregon 1-2, WSU 1-0. Conference Record: Oregon 9-9, WSU 11-7. Series Record: Oregon leads, 154-118.

Last updated: March 13, 2008 at 10:33 AM

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