Today's Civil War- played at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis- is a huge game for both programs. The Beavers enter the contest in last place in the Pac-10 Standings, however, they are only 2 games back of First. The Ducks on the other hand have won two straight and are in seventh place.
If the Ducks win their third in a row, you could say that they are back in business to finish near the top of the Pac. At least for the moment. A Beaver loss might send the team packing and ready to get the season over with.
However, if the Beavers do win they could be only one game out of First by the end of the day. Not to mention it would give them a boost of confidence for the stretch run of Pac-10 play.
The Oregon State Beavers (9-12, 3-6), have lost three out of their last four games, but the Beavers have been in all but one of them. They've shown flashes of greatness at California and in The Pit, but at other times they look like a Junior Varsity Team.
The Oregon Ducks (12-9, 4-5), have won two in a row. They've been playing great Basketball as of late, but before they played the LA schools they had lost five in a row. Some games, the Ducks look like they can contend for the Pac-10 title, and at other times they look worst than last year.
Guards Malcolm Armstead and Tajuan Porter have carried the team in their past couple of games. No doubt that the key to winning for the Beavers will be to stop those two guys. Armstead is averaging 11.4 Points Per Game, while Tajuan has 12.5.
Another key to Oregon's Offense is Center Michael Dunigan. He hasn't played as well as he was earlier in the year, but he is averaging 10.4 Points and 5.5 Rebounds.
Teondre Williams and Garrett Sim are also making some solid contributions. Williams averages 7.6 Points Per Game, and Sim averages 5.3. However, when Garrett gets hot he is awfully tough to stop. Think Tajuan and Aaron Brooks tough.
Keys to the game and a prediction after the break
Keys:
1. Shut Down Tajuan Porter and Malcolm Armstead
The 1-3-1 should drive them nuts like it did in the last game, but if it doesn't the Beavers could be in for a long day.
2. Shoot The Ball Well
If our Defense doesn't shut down Porter and Armstead, it will be up to guys like Calvin Haynes and Lathen Wallace to keep us in the game from Three Point Land.
Prediction:
Oregon State-60, Oregon-50