Ducks Open Midwest Road Trip at Kansas State
EUGENE, Ore. - Oregon hits the road for its final trip before beginning Pac-12 Conference play, starting with a showdown at Kansas State Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT. The Ducks come into the matchup on a three-game winning streak looking for a key road win over a Wildcat team that is ranked No. 10 in the NET rankings. Oregon has won each of the two meetings between the two programs, with the Ducks taking the last game in the series, 89-51, in Eugene on Dec. 21, 2019.
GAME INFO
When: Saturday, Dec. 18
Where: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan.
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Live Stream: Big 12 Now/ESPN+
Stream Link: https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=358713ff-1266-4d4e-b25d-bdffa09d5bc4
Radio: KUGN 590 AM (Eugene); KPAM 860 AM (Portland)
Play-By-Play: Terry Jonz
NUMBERS TO KNOW
5.2 - Maddie Scherr is second in the Pac-12 with 5.2 assists per game and has 15 assists over the last two games.
7 - The Ducks have had seven different players lead the team in scoring in a game this season.
29.4 - Oregon is holding teams to just 29.4 percent shooting from the field in its six wins.
48.3 - Oregon currently leads the Pac-12 and ranks fifth nationally shooting 48.3 percent from the field.
71 - Oregon's 71-point margin of victory vs. McNeese is the largest over a Division I team under head coach Kelly Graves.
ALL HANDS ON DECK
Oregon's depth has been put to the test through the first nine games, as every healthy athlete on the roster has gotten a chance to contribute. Seven different Ducks have tied or led the team in scoring in a game, while eight of the 12 who have seen the floor have turned in at least one double-digit scoring game. Oregon has also had at least six different players score in double figures in a game twice this season (Dixie State, McNeese). Just eight Ducks have played in all nine games while UO has been without three players who averaged double-digits in scoring last season over the majority of the first 11 games. Three who have played in every game are averaging at least 12 PPG in Sydney Parrish (13.3), Ahlise Hurst (12.4) and Sedona Prince (12.2)
DUCKS DOMINATE MCNEESE
The Ducks are coming off of a dominant 109-38 win over McNeese the last time out. The 71-point victory was the largest margin of victory by Oregon against a Division I opponent under head coach Kelly Graves and the first 70-point win since Nov. 6, 2018 at Alaska-Fairbanks. Six different Ducks scored in double figures, led by Sydney Parrish and Kylee Watson who each scored 21 points. Oregon shot 60.5 percent from the field while holding McNeese to 21.3 percent shooting - the lowest mark allowed by the Ducks since Nov. 10, 2007 against San Jose State (19 percent). The Ducks recorded 33 assists on 46 made field goals while coming away with 18 steals and forcing 26 turnovers.
GETTING IT DONE AT BOTH ENDS
The Ducks currently rank among the nation's leaders in both field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense. Oregon is one of four teams in the top 15 in the country in both categories, ranking fifth in field goal percentage (48.3 percent) and tied for 12th in opponent field goal percentage (33.0 percent). The Ducks also lead the conference in shooting from the field and are second in field goal percentage defense.
Teams Ranked in the Top 15 in FG Pct. and FG Pct. Defense
Oregon (5th - FG Pct.; T12th - FG Pct. Defense)
North Carolina (14th - FG Pct., 1st - FG Pct. Defense)
Nebraska (4th - FG Pct., 3rd - FG Pct. Defense)
Kansas (13th - FG Pct., T12th - FG Pct. Defense)
KNOCKING 'EM DOWN
Oregon has shot the ball well from the field through the first nine games and ranks among the national and Pac-12 leaders in the category. The Ducks lead the Pac-12 and are fifth in the country shooting 48.3 percent from the field and have shot 43 percent or better on field goals in eight of the first nine games. The Ducks are also second in the conference and 15th nationally in three-point shooting at 38.4 percent.
» One of two teams in the country to shoot at least 60 percent from the field in multiple games this year.
» Shot 61 percent from the field vs. Idaho State in the opener and 60.5 percent against McNeese the last time out.
» Two players in the top 10 of the conference in FG percentage (Kylee Watson - 2nd, 62.5 %; Sedona Prince - 9th, 57.7%)
DEFENSE GETS IT DONE
Through nine games, Oregon has been one of the best teams nationally in field goal percentage defense, ranking 13th in the country allowing teams to shoot 33.0 percent from the field. The Ducks are second in the Pac-12 in opponent field goal percentage and have have held teams under 40 percent shooting in eight of the nine games. Additionally, the Ducks have held eight of their nine opponents to under their current season average in field goal percentage.
SCHERR SKILL
Following the plethora of injuries Oregon has suffered early on, Maddie Scherr has been forced to shoulder a heavy load for the Ducks. Scherr has stuffed the stats sheet over the first eight games, averaging 7.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists while playing 29.1 minutes per contest. Scherr is currently second in the Pac-12 in assists per game and is one of just two players in the league averaging at least 3.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. The sophomore is coming off of back-to-back games with at least eight assists, dishing out a career-high nine vs. Long Beach State and eight against McNeese.
» Has recorded 23 assists over the last three games.
» First UO player to record at least nine assists since Sabrina Ionescu on March 8, 2020 vs. Stanford (12).
» Six games with at least five assists this year.
» Averaging 6.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds over the last four games (26 assists, 19 rebounds).
SYD THE SHOOTER
Highlighted by a pair of 20-point performances in the last three games, Sydney Parrish has provided a strong scoring punch for Oregon in the absence of a number of starters and key role players. Parrish is second on the team averaging 13.3 PPG while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three-point range. She's tied for sixth in the conference with 17 made three pointers and has scored in double figures in five of the nine games. Parrish is the only Duck with multiple 20-point games after scoring 26 at Portland and 21 vs. McNeese.
» Set career-highs in points (26), made field goals (10), made threes (5) and assists (5) in the win at Portland.
» Scored 18 points in the first half against the Pilots, which already matched her previous career-high.
» First UO player since Erin Boley on Feb. 16, 2020 to score at least 25 points and make five three-pointers in a game.
HURST STEPPING UP
Following injuries to a number of players in Oregon's backcourt, Ahlise Hurst has stepped up and played a huge role early in the year for the Ducks. Hurst leads the team and is fourth in the Pac-12 averaging 33.6 minutes per game while averaging 12.4 PPG to and 2.4 assists per outing. She's shooting 41.7 percent from three-point range and is second in the league with 25 made three-pointers.
» 11-of-16 from three-point range over the last two games.
» Scored in double figures in seven of the last eight games.
» Has hit multiple three-pointers in seven of the eight games.
» Reached 1,000 career points after scoring 18 on 6-of-8 shooting from long range against McNeese.