February 16, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Gabriel Harris (23) talks with guard Chasson Randle (5) during a timeout against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at the Maples Pavilion. The Bruins defeated the Cardinal 88-80. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Stanford(16-11, 7-7 Pac 12) comes to Eugene to face Oregon on Saturday night looking to pad their post season resume.  The Cardinal are on the outside looking in at a post season invite. In their way is a team that scored the least amount of points all season on Thursday against Cal. The Ducks shot 26 percent from the field.

The Cardinal blew out the Ducks 76-52 back on January 30th, that was the second game without Freshman Dominic Artis in the lineup due to a foot injury. Oregon is now 3-4 without their talented Freshman Point Guard and the second half of the Pac 12 season has seemed to begin unraveling before their very eyes. It is not known when Artis will return, but with four games to play, including Saturday against Stanford, Oregon needs to do some resume padding of it’s own.

Regardless of the outcome vs Stanford, the Oregon Ducks(21-6, 10-4 Pac 12) will likely fall out of the Top 25, unless they dismantle the Cardinal altogether. Some bright spots for the Ducks are the play of Senior Arsalan Kazemi who pulled down 18 rebounds on Thursday night and Junior Johnathan Loyd had 5 steals vs Cal. Oregon had a 5 point lead at the half, and only four turnovers to that point. 

Can the Ducks put together a complete game effort on both sides of the ball when it’s needed? We’ll find out Saturday night. (8pm, Pac 12 Networks)

Oregon Ducks At a Glance:

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Justin Phillips is Sports Reporter for Newsradio 1120 KPNW in Eugene, Oregon

Feb 13, 2013, Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman reacts to a play against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Oregon Ducks trip up north has started better than the trip down south from a few weeks ago. Confidence can say a lot about a team, especially at this point of the season. Johnathan Loyd was beaming with it last night scoring 11 points with a rebound, an assist and two steals filling in for the injured Dominic Artis. His teammates, led by Senior Arsalan Kazemi with 11 points and 7 rebounds and E.J. Singler with 9 points and 5 rebounds won in Seattle against the Huskies 65-52. It is the first time the Ducks have swept Washington in a season series since 1995 and last night they found a cure for the turnover bug, committing only 9.

“We’ve got six left and we’ve got to perform,” Dana Altman after the win at Washington

Freshman Damyean Dotson, in his first trip to Seattle had an impressive night scoring 13 points. Washington Freshman Andrew Andrews was competitive in the loss, especially with Dotson according to Adam Jude of The Oregonian. The matchup could be a fun one to watch in the coming years.

With the victory, Oregon now has 20 wins on the season and leads the Pac 12 by a 1/2 game as the co leaders UCLA and Arizona both play Thursday night. Oregon now heads to Pullman to play Washington State((11-14, 2-10 Pac 12) Saturday at 4pm(Pac 12 Network).

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Justin Phillips is Sports Reporter for Newsradio 1120 KPNW in Eugene, Oregon

Feb 2, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Arsalan Kazemi (14) drives in against California Golden Bears forward David Kravish (45) during the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks Cling to #23 in the Latest AP Poll after a loss at home Thursday night to Colorado. Oregon did pick up a victory on Saturday 73-64 against Utah as Arslan Kazemi scored the first double double of his career. Oregon has battled turnovers all season it seems, now averaging 16 per contest, they are dead last in the Pac 12 with the worst turnover ratio, or if you flip that, they are first with the worst turnover ratio. The Ducks had 17 turnovers against Utah.

The reason I say it that way is because if you look at the standings the Oregon Ducks 19-5(8-3 Pac-12) are at the top of their division, albeit tied with Arizona and UCLA. Dana Altman has said the Pac 12 Season was a long one. There have been several ups and downs so far, but here’s a big up. Oregon is in FIRST place in the Pac 12. Yup, I said it. As it stands today at 8-3. The Ducks played and beat both Arizona(at Matthew Knight Arena)  and UCLA(at Pauley Pavillion), who they are tied with. Until the Pac 12 Tournament they won’t see those teams again for the rest of the season. How? It has to do with scheduling. That’s the way it worked out for Oregon this season.

Pac-12 Conference Standings

After three losses in a row, and for a bit being in 2nd place in the Pac 12, the Ducks are right back at the top. With the Wildcats 77-69 loss to Cal on Sunday, look for them to fall out of the Top 10 today when the polls are released.

Jan 17, 2013, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Dominic Artis (1) dribbles the ball against the Southern California Trojans at the Galen Center. Oregon defeated USC 76-74. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Dana Altman is missing one key piece to his offense. Freshman Dominic Artis has been sidelined the past few weeks with a  left foot injury. Oregon is 2-3 without him in the lineup.

“It’s killing him. He wants to play. He’s ready to take the boot off and play right away.” Oregon Coach Dana Altman on Artis

Artis is set to see Doctors today to see if he will travel this week as the Ducks face the Washington schools. Up first, Washington(13-10,5-5) Wednesday, February 13th (8pm ESPN2). Washington State(11-13, 2-9 Pac 12) is a Saturday, February 16th (4pm, Pac 12 Network).

Oregon needs to play hard, finish, and cut down on the turnovers, which is what many have been saying all along. The Ducks have made some mistakes, but look where they stand.

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Justin Phillips is Sports Reporter for Newsradio 1120 KPNW in Eugene, Oregon