After starting the season 13-1 with a Pac-12 opening win over Arizona State, the Arizona Wildcats have gone just 3-3 in the past six games, failing to really take what should be theirs – the conference title.
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Plus, the Sun Devils have two days instead of the normal one to prepare for its nationally televised showdown at Oregon State (16-3, 7-1) so there’s even less point in getting ahead of themselves. The last time Arizona (16-5, 4-4) lost at home was almost three years ago to California.
“I’d like to congratulate OR on a job well done”, a dejected-looking Arizona coach Sean Miller said afterward.
Everything you need to know about the Arizona vs. OR online live stream and TV broadcast, as well as game notes and prediction. Lead by Gary Payton II, son of nine-time NBA All-Star Gary “the Glove” Payton, OSU stands at 12-6 (3-4 in conference play) with the victory over USC snapping a three-game skid.
Although USC does not face first-place Washington until Saturday, the game looms because the Trojans blew a 22-point second-half lead in the teams’ first meeting. “These last two games, we haven’t lived up to the standards that is held here at Arizona, especially effort-wise and paying attention to detail”.
OR (17-4, 6-2) showed that it could, proving itself despite falling behind 26-13 when the Wildcats made 12 of their first 13 field-goal attempts. It helped fuel a steady and composed comeback in which OR had a season-low six turnovers, while using consistent zone pressure to force Arizona into 19 turnovers for only the third time all year.
“They are a hard-playing unit, together as a team”, he said, “and they love each other”.
Syracuse 81, Notre Dame 66: Trevor Cooney scored 22 points to lead four Syracuse players in double figures, and the host Orange (14-8, 4-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat the No. 25 Irish (14-6, 5-3). On the following possession Benjamin hit a fadeaway three-pointer, giving the Ducks a 52-46 lead.
“I like to score”, remarked Altman of the game. The Oregon Ducks marched into McKale Center and stole one from the Wildcats, 83-75.
Arizona’s winning streak spanned a pair of Elite Eight appearances, a Pac-12 Tournament title, two Pac-12 regular season championships and a plethora of current and future National Basketball Association players.
Brooks’ layup with 1:01 remaining gave the Ducks an 80-69 lead.
The most low-profile team in the conference has traded wins and losses since conference play began, keeping the Cardinal hovering around.500. At one point in the first half, he had face-to-face tirade against Kaleb Tarczewski, pointing a finger inches from the big senior center’s nose. “Nothing about that atmosphere was a part of our game tonight”. The victory guaranteed Altman his 19th consecutive winning season….
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If USC is able to prevent interior looks for Washington State’s big men and tightly contest 3-point shots, the Trojans will have an excellent chance of winning the game.
