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Oregon Ducks OSU Beavers Pac-12 Men's Basketball 

Miller: Legacies, Title at Stake in Ducks-Beavers Clash

> A win nets another banner at Matthew Knight, while a loss hands the championship to USC
, 2 min read
A short-handed Oregon team struggled against the Beavers in Eugene, but should be at full strength today in Corvallis. | goducks.com


  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports

March 7, 2021


Legacies.

That’s what’s on the line today at Gill Coliseum.

It’s simple, really.

A victory results in another banner at Matthew Knight Arena, while a defeat hands the championship to USC.

And despite what some national pundits are implying, this isn’t going to be easy for the Ducks. In fact, Oregon State has mostly dominated the rivalry over the past few years, winning five of the last seven since the 2017-18 season.

It’s been four years since UO won in Corvallis.

But there’s never been this much on the line in any of those previous contests, arguably making this game one of the biggest in the rivalry’s history.

I preview the showdown here, and offer my pick, along with Nick Bartlett’s and Stephen Villardo’s, at the bottom.

Oregon at Oregon State

Sunday, March 7th
5:00 pm PT, FS1

January 5, 2018.

January 5, 2019.

February 16, 2019.

February 8, 2020.

And January 23, 2021.

On each of those days, Wayne Tinkle’s team upset the mighty Oregon Ducks, including two times when UO was ranked. During that same three year span, Dana Altman has left the court victorious on only two occasions.

How did the Beavers gain the recent advantage in this rivalry?

That’s a question that could continue to haunt Altman if OSU completes the sweep of the Ducks for the second time in the past three seasons.

AlatisheWarith Alatishe figures to be Tinkle’s Golden Goose, as the Nichols State transfer is pitted against either Eugene Omoruyi or LJ Figueroa.

A 15-point game or higher from the junior forward could be all that the Beavers need to pull off the victory. But the three point shooting of Jarod Lucas and Gianni Hunt might be just as important.

Altman knows OSU has the weapons to win this game, and his defensive game plan likely starts and ends with putting pressure on Ethan Thompson and the Beaver guards to force turnovers and generate transition buckets.

Duarte

Chris Duarte and the Oregon offense is more than capable of scoring enough to win, yet it might not matter if Tinkle’s guards are able to handle the pressure and find the Beavers’ sharp shooters in the corners after breaking the press-zone.

With such a focus on defense, if there is only one stat to keep an eye on, it’s points off turnovers.

In the end, the team that capitalizes the most off its opponents miscues likely emerges victorious.

Destiny awaits.

Dane Miller
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