With three games remaining on the Pac-10 schedule, the Beavers host the Ducks tonight in the 328th rendition of the basketball Civil War, the Beavers, needing a win to save themselves from an 0-18 Pac-10 season, will have to operate without big man Sean Carter. Carter was suspended for the second time in two weeks for a violation of team rules.
Since there's not much to say at this point, we'll again turn things over to Buker for the skinny on the game:
7 p.m. TONIGHT at Gill
(Plenty of good seats still available)
The skinny: OSU, under interim coach Kevin Mouton, lurching toward history (0-18) ... even if senior F Marcel Jones all but guaranteed a win in OSU's final three regular-season games. Logic says OSU's best shot might be vs. the hot-and-cold Ducks. ... Beavers have lost school-record 17 games in a row. ... in conference play, OSU has lost 15 this season, and 17 Pac-10 games in a row going back to last season ... 0-15 is the worst start in Pac-10 history ... Oregon holds Pac-10 record (since league expanded (78-79) with 20 conference L's in a row (91-92/92-93) ...OSU has used 15 different starting lineups this season ... OSU last in scoring, FG percentage, FG percentage defense, 3-point percentage, rebounding margin, and assists among other categories ... also last in attendance (4430) and RPI (248) ... OSU's FG percentage (.378) ranks No. 326 out of 328 Div. I schools charted by NCAA. Of his team's shooting, Mouton said, "we're past screaming and yelling.''
OSU STARTERS ... F Calvin Hampton (3.6 ppg), F Omari Johnson (8.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg), G Josh Tarver (7.1 ppg, 2.6 apg), G Seth Tarver (10.6 ppg), G Lathen Wallace (5.6 ppg) or F Marcel Jones (10.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg). ...
QUOTING MOUTON ..
On the first meeting in Eugene, which was close for a long time until the Ducks pulled away79-63. ..."There were three or four possessions where we let it get out of control. ... Oregon is still trying to get into the tournament. They're older. They've been in the wars before. if you have mental breakdowns against these guys, they will make you pay. They've got great
shooters, great slashers.''
OREGON STATE has lost last 3 games by 38, 35, and 28. ... but Mouton said he thinks the players' minds are back on basketball.
There you have it.
GO BEAVERS!
--JB--