The midpoint of the Pac-12 schedule sits an arm’s reach away, and already, the conference has been shaken up. It’s been flipped upside down. It’s been snow-globed.
Not since the days of Gary Payton and Terrell Brandon have both Oregon State and Oregon swept the Los Angeles schools at home. Not since the last season the Beavers reached the NCAA tournament have both programs sent UCLA and USC back to California without a win. Not since 1989-90.
Oregon State took the Pac-10 regular season crown that year – its last.
But with the conference shuffling leaders each week, that could change. Then again, the Ducks share the top spot with Cal and ride a four-game winning streak, which is their longest since 2006-07. That makes Sunday’s installment of the NCAA’s longest rivalry even more compelling.
The Civil War has spanned 335 games since 1903, and the first battle of 2012 will prove to be one of the most pivotal matchups in series history. Especially since only 3.5 games separate the first-place Ducks from the ninth-seeded Beavers.
Oregon State comes in seeking its first three-game winning streak in three years and are turning heads offensively with 82 points per game and 10 steals per contest on the other end. Even Payton went so far as to call this squad “the best (2-5) team I’ve ever seen in the Pac-12 conference” before blowing out USC.
The balance Oregon State has shown takes credit. While four players average more than 10 points, it’s the ball movement and extra passes that create scoring opportunities. With an assist total that places them in the top 10 of the NCAA, the Beavers have demonstrated an unselfish characteristic that hasn’t graced the Corvallis campus since the glory days of The Glove.
Coming on strong for Oregon State is an athlete that has fans and alumni second-guessing his lineage, wondering how he doesn’t have Payton’s genetics.
Over the last seven games, Jared Cunningham has carried most of the load. He’s put up nearly 20 points per contest to go along with more than three steals as he continues to climb Oregon State’s all-time leaderboard. Behind his performance, as well as Devon Collier’s 63 percent shooting, Oregon State seems to have planted its foot to vault its way back into Pac-12 title contention.
Granted, Oregon has taken 11 of its last 13 home games this season and defeated the Beavers seven times in the last 10 meetings, but this Oregon State club differs on so many levels.
Its offensive onslaught leads all Pac-12 programs, as do its block and theft totals. Their ability to light up the scoreboard on each possession and the aggressive defense make opponents shake in their Nikes for 40 minutes. On any given night, this Beaver team can stick it to you. And embarrass you. Ask the Trojans.
The problem is that Oregon has been inconsistent, night and day, Jekyll and Hyde. They’ll either shoot the lights out or roll over.
But as long as Oregon can stay within earshot, it’s more than likely the Ducks will pull out a win, as demonstrated by their 10-0 record in games decided by single digits. Credit free-throw shooting for that mark, as Oregon has made 63 of 70 free throws in those matchups.
The Ducks have a go-to threat in Devoe Joseph, a veteran scorer in E.J. Singler and a sniper in Garrett Sim. They’re more than capable in making adjustments as needed, demonstrated by the turn-on-a-dime shooting against UCLA when Oregon went from 22.6 percent at the half to 55.6 percent by game’s end.
What the Ducks need to rely on, however, is ball control. Not just limiting turnovers, but also setting the tempo. They average less than 70 points per game but are holding opponents to 66.1. At the Matt, with what could be its second consecutive record-setting crowd, that is more than likely to happen. Then again…
Oregon State’s swarming, suffocating and aggressive defense has given fits to the likes of Texas, Vanderbilt and Cal. Its success in creating turnovers and forcing ill-advised shots propels the Beavers’ transition offense. They’re quick to score and receive healthy contributions up and down the roster.
They lead the Pac-12 in average margin of victory thanks to that stifling defensive front and unselfish play mixed with balanced scoring. No win is guaranteed against Oregon State. Inconsistency leads to a train wreck against a team like the Beavers. They’re unafraid to pour it on early and more than willing to pile it on late.
The Ducks perch atop the Pac-12 standings at the moment, but after Sunday’s Battle at the Matt, Oregon State could find the footing it needs to climb back into contention.
Slide into your Joe Montana jersey and rock out to Milli Vanilli. The Ducks and Beavers are about to party like its 1990.
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