The No. 9 Arizona men’s basketball team is set to take on the University of Oregon on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 3:30 p.m. in Matthew Knight Arena. Arizona will play its second game of the week, as the team opened its week of play in Oregon against Oregon State University on Thursday, Jan. 25, where Arizona faced an upsetting 83-80 loss against the Beavers.
History vs. Oregon
The history between Arizona and Oregon began back in 1979, as the two programs have met on a steady basis every year since then. The last time the Ducks and Wildcats met was on Feb. 2, 2023, where Arizona collected a 91-76 victory. Arizona leads the series record 53-36 as this will be the commencement of the 90th meeting between the schools but the Wildcats are 19-22 when on the road, visiting Oregon.
Oregon players to watch
Oregon is led by Dana Altman who has led the Ducks to a 334-145 overall record as head coach. Oregon currently holds a 13-5 record this season and is notably 9-0 at home. Jermaine Couisnard leads the Ducks in points this season, averaging 14.4 points per game as well as 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Couisnard also manages to average 1.9 steals per game. The senior guard who is a transfer from the University of South Carolina recently scored 26 points in a game against the University of Utah and went 7-10 from the 3-point line that night.
N’Faly Dante is someone to watch for as the six-foot-eleven center leads the team in rebounding, averaging 9.5 rebounds per game. The senior has a 53.7% field goal percentage and is the Ducks’ third leading scorer, averaging 13.5 ppg, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Nate Bittle, a seven-foot junior, is another defensive component for Oregon, averaging six rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. In addition to rebounding, Bittle averages 13 points and is able to produce one steal per game.
Arizona players to watch
Caleb Love stays as a consistent guard to rely on for Arizona and continues to lead the Wildcats in points, averaging 18.2 ppg. Love is also shooting an impressive 85.3% from the free throw line and also contributes 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Love is coming off a 23-point game against Oregon State where he shot 9-10 from the free throw line.
Motiejus Krivas is also someone to pay attention to as he currently leads the Wildcats in field goal percentage, shooting 60% from the field. The seven-foot-two center put up 10 points in the game against Oregon State, solidifying himself as a resourceful player. Krivas averages 7.1 ppg and 4.7 rebounds per game.
While Keshad Johnson has proved himself to be a vital key for the Wildcats this season, he looks to improve on cleaner plays as drew four fouls and gained a technical in the recent game against Oregon State. Johnson boasts a statline of 11.4 ppg, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game and was able to score 18 points and six rebounds against the Beavers going 7-11 on his shots for the night.
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