Miller: Week 15 Wed./Thurs. Men’s Hoops Previews

The winner of the UCLA-Oregon matchup will be in the driver’s seat to win the Pac-12

Posted on March 3, 2021


  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports

The final week in the regular season kicks off with three games on Wednesday, spotlighted by a battle for first place in Eugene.

The winner of the UCLA-Oregon matchup will be in the driver’s seat to win the Pac-12, even if USC takes care of Stanford at the Galen Center.

But the games begin in Salt Lake City where Wayne Tinkle can make his final pitch for the league’s Coach of the Year award. Still viewed as a long-shot, Tinkle can put a stamp on this season with a road victory over the dangerous Utes.

I preview those games here, along with the Arizona State-Colorado showdown on Thursday. As always, my picks along with Nick Bartlett’s appear at the bottom.


Oregon State at Utah

Wednesday, March 3rd
4:00 pm PT, ESPNU

In a year with no clear front runner for the Pac-12 Coach of the Year honor, the Beavers have an opportunity to make a statement.

But the Utes are brimming with confidence after taking down a ranked USC team on Saturday, pitting two of the middle-of-the-pack programs against each other.

And each have something to play for.

There are scenarios where Oregon State could end up with a bye in the first round of the conference tournament, but all of them require a victory at the Huntsman Center. Similarly, Utah is gunning for the best seed possible in Sin City.

It may be one of those late-afternoon games on a work day that nobody likes, but it could come down to the final few possessions.


UCLA at Oregon

Wednesday, March 3rd
6:00 pm PT, ESPN2

Finally.

The showdown between UCLA and Oregon was postponed three times this season, first in December due to COVID protocols among the referees, and twice in late January and early February due to positive tests on the Ducks’ roster.

But it was worth the wait.

And now, the Pac-12 Regular Season Championship could be on the line depending on how things play out over the weekend.

Chris Duarte has been on fire the last three games, averaging 21 points per contest while shooting 21-for-37 from the field and 10-of-18 from deep. Not to be outdone, Eugene Omoruyi has played lights-out over the past two games as well, putting up 21 points in both matchups.

But UCLA has the offensive firepower to match the Ducks. And on paper, the two teams are balanced without any substantial statistical discrepancies, other than Oregon’s advantage in blocked shots.

The result could be another instant-classic UCLA-Oregon showdown that would live on for years to come.


Stanford at USC

Wednesday, March 3rd
7:30 pm PT, FS1

The Trojans can’t afford to lose this one.

usc logoA defeat wouldn’t knock USC out of the Big Dance, by any means, but it could put the Men of Troy dangerously close to the dreaded 8-9 matchup in the First Round. Such a pigeon-hole would present a difficult path to the Sweet 16, forcing the Trojans to make their way there directly through a 1-seed, baring a massive upset.

The status of Oscar da Silva remains up in the air, but USC’s length down low presents a matchup problem for the Tree. In the first meeting, Evan Mobley scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Isaiah Mobley figures to improve on his seven-point outing with just four rebounds.

And there are scenarios where USC could still win the Regular Season title, depending on how things go up in Eugene.

With so much to play for, it would be a surprise if Andy Enfield’s team came out flat, even considering the struggles over the past two weeks.


Arizona State at No. 24 Colorado

Thursday, March 4
6:00 pm PT, ESPN2

At various points in the conference season, the Buffs have lost games they shouldn’t have. The defeat in Seattle, the loss in Berkeley, and the collapse in Boulder to Utah were each shocking results that have hurt CU’s reputation.

And the matchup with Arizona State on Thursday has the potential to be another one of those games.

The Sun Devils have struggled this year, but Remy Martin and Kimani Lawrence have put together momentum after taking down the Washington schools in Tempe last week. In fact, there are even scenarios where ASU could wind up with a bye in Las Vegas.

To prove to the Selection Committee that those mid-season defeats were nothing more than anomalies, Colorado needs a statement win.

The opportunity is there for the taking.

 




—More from Dane Miller—