MBB Game 30 Preview: Oregon Ducks vs. Washington State Cougars

Tipoff: 5:00 PM, TV (FSN and CSN), Radio, Satellite Radio, Internet (Live Audio/Video & Stats)

via espn.com

The final game.  This is the final game of the Pac 10 season for the Men's Basketball team.  This is the final home game.  This is Tajuan Porter's final home game.  This very well may be Ernie Kent's final home game.  And finally, this is McArthur Court's final Pac 10 game.

What can you say about a gym that has given so many memories to so many people.  My daughters' first basketball game ever was witnessed from the third balcony front row.  They watched Aaron Brooks fly up and down the floor and cheered along with the fans who were shaking the rafters so close to our heads.  My first game was witnessing Terrell Brandon control a game like a maestro controls an orchestra, and I was immediately hooked on Oregon basketball.  I'm not even sure what my father's first game was, but it had to be back in the Tall Firs era.  This gymnasium has spanned three generations of my family, and I am sure there have been more for others out there.

Tonight it will play host to Washington State in what is an undeserving game for such a majestic home, last place in the Pac 10.  Mac Court deserves a better send off than deciding who takes last place in this year's Pac 10 race. 

Keys to the Game

Limit Casto and Thompson.  Klay Thompson and DeAngelo (Joe G calls me Castro) Casto are guys that will fuel runs for the Cougs.  Thomson shoots almost 36% from 3 and leads the team in scoring at almost 20 ppg.  He had been in somewhat of a funk lately until he dropped 18 on 50% shooting against the rodents in a loss.  Casto has been on a tear lately averaging 14 points in their last 7 games.  Plus his size down low can create lots of problems for Oregon inside and Oregon needs to find a way to get him into foul trouble.

Guard Play.  Oregon's guards carried them the last time these two teams played.  Armstead had 16 points and 7 assists and Tajaun Porter dropped 31 with 6 threes.  WSU guards are talented as well.  We've already discussed Thompson who had 33 against the Ducks last time, but Reggie Moore is a talented freshman and can really cause trouble getting to the basket.  Plus, Ernie Kent should be fired alone for letting Aaron Brooks' cousin (Reggie Moore) go to a rival Pac 10 school.

Feed off the Crowd.  Mac Court should be pretty full tonight for the first time in a while.  We all know what that place can be like when the crowd is rocking.  I hope to see a team that is ready to give this gym a send off like it deserves and a crowd that leaves us with a good memory.

Conclusion

I have a soft spot in my heart for old school gyms and Mac Court holds the first place.  It will be really cool to see the new Matthew Knight Arena and all the high-tech state of the art facilities it offers, but nothing will ever compare to the intimate and historic feel of Mac Court.  Let's hope that Ernie and the boys have the same feeling tonight and give the home court something to be proud off. 

Go Ducks!