Feb. 16, 2013; Pullman, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Johnathan Loyd (10) drives the lane against Washington State Cougars guard Royce Woolridge (22) during overtime at the Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. The Duck beat the Cougars in overtime by a final score of 79-77. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon held steady this week in the Associated Press Top 25 poll at Nmber 23. The Coaches poll also has the Ducks at #23 this week. The road this month has been a mixed bag for Oregon, after losing three straight, two away from Matthew Knight Arena to both Stanford and Cal and one at home by a point to Colorado. The Ducks rebounded with it’s trip up I-5 to Washington this past week in beating Washington 65-52 and Washington State 79-77,  the latter in overtime. In the game with the Cougars Senior E.J. Singler made the difference with seconds left on Overtime to secure the victory.  

“We all just got together and the chemistry started flowing,” Carlos Emory on 2nd Half Start vs Washington  State

Senior Center Tony Woods was ejected in the game against the Cougars in the first half for an elbow to the head on Washington State’s Broc Matum. It is unclear if the NCAA will suspend Woods for any additional time.

It is also unknown if Freshman Dominic Artis is any closer to returning from a foot injury he suffered earlier this month.

Only one other  Pac 12 team is in the AP Top 25 this week,  Arizona, who lost to Colorado at #12(dropped from 9). Indiana remains at #1 with Miami sliding up to #2, Gonzaga is #3.

This week  the Ducks look to continue a new winning streak at Matthew Knight Arena as they return home to avenge two road losses from earlier this month. The Ducks are now 21-5(10-3 Pac 12) and hold a one game lead over UCLA and Arizona for the Pac 12 lead. Matthew Knight Arena should be sold out this week. Oregon welcomes to town the two teams that started the three game losing streak from a few weeks back. Cal comes to town Thursday(6pm ESPNU), and Stanford on Saturday(5pm, Pac 12 Network).

Oregon Ducks This Week:

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

Feb 13, 2013, Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks center Tony Woods (55) drives to the basket against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday night was one of those crazy nights in the Pac 12. Two of the better teams in the conference went down, including 9th ranked Arizona. USC also beat Stanford by a point 65-64. So what does this mean for the Ducks? Well the good news is going into Saturday’s game with the Washington State Cougars it won’t be a jumble at the top of the standings. If there is anything that crazy nights can tell us, its that you have to play the game on the court, not on paper and anything can happen on any given night. The Ducks(20-5, 9-3 Pac 12) now have a full game lead in the conference.

Oregon comes off of the win against Washington 68-52 on Wednesday to face off with the Cougars in Pullman Saturday night. Arsalan Kazemi is playing better basketball of late, more than he played against Stanford and Cal a few weeks ago. The Ducks are still without Freshman Dominic Artis. Head Coach Dana Altman has been able to fill his role with Junior Johnathan Loyd who showed some confidence against Washington, scoring 11 points.

Washington State(11-14, 2-10 Pac 12) is currently on a five game losing streak heading into the game. (Saturday, 4pm, Pac 12 Networks). Their last victory was at Oregon State on January 26th. If the Ducks can keep down the turnovers, as they did against Washington, committing only 9, and Loyd continues his solid play, Oregon should come home with a win and be set to faceoff with Stanford and Cal next week at Matthew Knight Arena.

In March Madness Prediction News, Joe Lunardi’s Latest Bracketology is out. Oregon is set as a falling 6 seed, playing North Carolina(an 11 seed) in Kansas City. The other teams in the bracket are 3rd seed Kansas and 14 seed Davidson.

The Ducks This Week:

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