Feb, 7, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Johnathan Loyd (10) dribbles past Colorado Buffaloes guard Sabatino Chen (23) at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon is currently riding a three game losing streak that started last week at Stanford, continued to Cal, and ended Thursday night in rough fashion in a one point loss to Colorado, who is currently now back to .500 in the Pac 12 Conference at 4-4. The team has been without starting point guard Freshman Dominic Artis for the past three games because of a foot injury and at times it shows on the court.

“Dominic spreads the floor,” Oregon coach Dana Altman said. “The floor has shrunk, and it’s been hard to drive to the hoop.” Oregon Coach Dana Altman

It is not known how serious the injury is, but he was in street clothes before the game against Colorado and Oregon is 1-3 without Artis in the lineup. No one knows if he will play against Utah on Saturday.

The Ducks, as a team have struggled to finish games. Facing the Cardinal last week, in a lopsided loss 76-52, E.J. Singler was held scoreless in the first half, and only scored 6 points in the second half. Turnovers have been the story for Oregon during last week’s road trip. Dana Altman can’t be happy with the last eight minutes of the game against Colorado on Thursday. Oregon had 12 turnovers. Colorado had 12 as well, but they had the momentum to close out the 20 game winning streak at Matthew Knight Arena with 17 second chance points.

Oregon needs to get a handle on the ball vs a Utah team that has some talent. Colorado was upset in Salt Lake City on February 3rd.  The Ducks need some confidence, and quick. They find themselves one game out of first in the Pac 12 to Arizona. Last week, before they played Stanford, Oregon had a virtual three game lead in the Pac 12.

I realize, at times it can be an up and down season, but the time to trend upward is now.

Oregon faces Utah(10-12, 2-8 Pac 12) Saturday at 5pm. (Pac 12 Network)

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

January 30, 2013; Stanford, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Arsalan Kazemi (14) shoots the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The turnover game jumped up and bit 10th Ranked Oregon on Wednesday night at Maples Pavilion vs Stanford. The Cardinal defenders held the Ducks to under 35 percent shooting. Stanford shot 51 percent for the game won the contest 76-52. The Cardinal seem to have a way of making a habit out of stopping the Ducks and their winning streaks. I don’t think I have to remind anyone about the ‘clank heard round Eugene’ at Autzen on that fateful November evening back in November.

It was clear that Oregon had no answers for Stanford’s Chasson Randle who scored 17 points, and Josh Huestis and his 14 points and 13 rebounds in the Cardinal win. Oregon’s offense was pretty anemic, Carlos Emory led with 12 points for the Ducks, and Arslan Kazemi had 6 points, 9 rebounds and a steal for Oregon. As far as the Pac 12, they still have a two game lead on #8 Arizona and Arizona State. Dana Altman and crew won’t see either team the rest of the way until the Pac 12 Conference Tournament in Las Vegas in mid march.

“We just got it handed to us,” Oregon Coach Dana Altman on the loss to Stanford.

Up next for Oregon is Cal(11-8, 3-4 Pac 12), the Bears host Oregon State tonight and will host the Ducks on Saturday at 1:30 PT. The game will be on ROOT Sports.

With a victory vs Cal, Oregon will still likely fall out of the Top 10, but there is now a date to circle on the calendar. Redemption for the Ducks can occur vs Stanford on Saturday, February 23rd at 5pm inside Matthew Knight Arena.

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

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