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ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 18 Power Rankings

By Trevor Booth

TEMPE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 31: Zylan Cheatham #45 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts during the second half of the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at Wells Fargo Arena on January 31, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 31: Zylan Cheatham #45 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts during the second half of the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at Wells Fargo Arena on January 31, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks dribbles the ball past Iowa Hawkeyes defense during the first half of the game against Iowa Hawkeyes during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks dribbles the ball past Iowa Hawkeyes defense during the first half of the game against Iowa Hawkeyes during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

7. Oregon Ducks (17-12, 8-8 Pac-12) LW: 8

In a week’s time, Oregon went from a favorable draw in the upcoming Pac-12 Tournament to a possible matchup nightmare.

Trudging towards the finish line of a forgettable season, the Ducks were in the midst of a three-game losing streak prior to hosting Arizona State and Arizona, opponents both with momentum on their side after sweeping Cal and Stanford at home.

But, two anomalistic defensive showings by Oregon led to dominant wins over the Sun Devils and Wildcats.

ASU, one of the top offenses in the Pac-12 at almost 78 points per game, was kept widely in check, scoring 51 points. Coach Bobby Hurley’s team shot an anemic 32 percent from the floor and was outrebounded 44-26 in a 28-point loss.

In the win, Oregon overcame an off shooting night for redshirt senior Paul White with freshman Louis King and junior guard Payton Pritchard combining for 37 points.

Against Arizona, coach Dana Altman’s group again suffocated the Wildcats on defense. UA was tied at 31 at the half, but finished with 47 points for the game, shooting 31.3 percent. The more noticeable number from the Ducks’ 26-point win is three.

Coach Sean Miller typically has defensively sound teams in Tucson, but Oregon only turned the ball over three times on Saturday, controlling the flow from the opening tip despite shooting 44 percent.

These are the caliber of wins that make Oregon a dangerous team with the conference tournament on the horizon. The Ducks, at 8-8 in league play, conclude the regular season with Washington and Washington State.

Splitting the weekend guarantees they are seeded no worse than eighth in Las Vegas.

– Pekale 

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