ARIZONA STATE VS. OREGON
Season results: Arizona State 19-10 overall, 11-7 in Pacific 10; Oregon 20-9 overall, 10-8 in Pac-10. The Sun Devils and Ducks split regular-season meetings, with each team winning on its home court. Oregon prevailed, 94-73, in Eugene before Arizona State scored a 91-77 victory in Tempe.
How they match up: Potentially the best game of the tournament, this one matches the Sun Devils’ power game versus the Ducks’ high-octane offense. Oregon, a year removed from its Elite Eight run, is facing the very real possibility of being a bubble team come Selection Sunday if it loses. The Ducks could be in a desperate situation, while Arizona State is trying to solidify its status as NCAA-worthy.
*--* STARTERS Arizona St Ht Wt Stat Pos Oregon Ht Wt Stat Tommy Smith 6-10 215 64 blocks F Robert Johnson 6-8 250 6.2 rpg Donnell 6-7 200 5.5 ppg F Luke Jackson 6-7 215 16.1 ppg Knight Ike Diogu 6-8 250 18.8 ppg C Brian Helquist 6-9 260 3.3 ppg Jason Braxton 6-2 190 2.3 apg G Luke Ridnour 6-2 175 20.0 ppg Curtis 6-2 185 15.8 ppg G James Davis 6-1 185 43% 3PT Millage KEY RESERVES Shawn 6-8 225 8.0 ppg Ian 6-11 250 19 blocks Redhage, F Crosswhite, C Jamal Hill, G 6-5 190 6.8 ppg Andre Joseph, 6-3 185 9.8 ppg G Kyle Dodd, G 6-0 175 3.3 apg Matt Short, C 7-0 235 2.9 ppg
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Keys to the game: The Ducks are at their best when they’re flying up and down the floor, but the Sun Devils like to run too. The game may come down to how well Oregon can contain Arizona State freshman center Ike Diogu.
-- Paul Gutierrez