'Cats Layin In Wait For Beavers

Oregon St. (14-6, 5-3) at #6 Arizona (19-2, 7-1) / McHale Center, Tucson, AZ / 8 PM AST (7 PM PST) / Pac-12 Channel / KEJO 1240 AM / KEX 1190 AM

Game Notes / Arizona Game Notes

Arizona hosts Oregon St. tonight to wrap up the Beavers' week in the desert, and the 'Cats are layin in wait, looking forward to the chance to square accounts, after being upset in Corvallis 58-56 back on Jan. 11.

That win was part of a run that saw Oregon St. win 5 of 6 games, but the Beavers came crashing back down to earth Wednesday night in Tempe, where Arizona St. was also looking to avenge a loss in Corvallis, and pulled away for a 73-55 win.

Gary Payton II, Oregon St.'s leading scorer, had 23 points, while Malcolm Duvivier added 14, and Jarmal Reid 13 off the bench. Trouble was that represented all but 5 of the Beavers' points, as Langston Morris-Walker added only 3 points, and Olaf Schaftenaar was shut out, for the first time this season. A big part of that was his taking only 2 shots, as the Arizona St. defense did a good job of eliminating him from the Oregon St. offensive flow. Morris-Walker on the other hand just couldn't find the range, shooting 12.5% for the night.

Neither can have another night like that if the Beavers are to have a chance against the 'Cats, or much of anyone, for that matter.

At the same time, the Sun Devils had one of their better games of the season, and as a result, scored the most points anyone has on the Beavers all season, which also produced the largest margin of defeat Oregon St. has experienced this season.

Immediately after things ended in Tempe, the 'Cats ran away from Oregon, downing the Ducks 90-56 for their 33rd win in a row in the McHale Center. Arizona was incredibly balanced, getting double digit scoring from all 5 starters, and all from 10 to 13 points, with Gabe York off the bench with a team high 16.

Arizona shot just shy of 60% against Oregon, including 40% on 3s.

It was the 'Cats' 3rd highest point total of the season, and the most they have scored since mid-December, and in total contrast to the 56 points that was their season low against the Beavers. When they had to rebound to shoot less than 38%, and made only 4 of 17 three pointers.

Oregon St. has only won once in Tucson since 1983, a 63-55 win in 2010. and just 6 times ever. It's the 80th meeting with Arizona, and the 'Cats, who lead the series overall 58-21, are 15 1/2 point favorites over the Beavers this time.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com