WSU vs. Oregon by the numbers

COUGARS PREGAME

Let’s see. The Cougars are 22-4. They are 11-3 in the Pac-10. They are ranked ninth in the nation. They are second in the conference.

They have lost 12 in a row to Oregon. They have lost the last 11 games in Eugene. The Ducks are 13-2 at home.

So which set of stats will prevail?

Or do you need more?

WSU has won five consecutive games since losing 77-74 in overtime to the Ducks in Pullman. Oregon has lost five of six games since that game.

OK, one more stat.

In 26 games the Cougars are averaging 67.1 points per game. In 27 games, the Ducks are yielding 67.1 points per game. So WSU should score, what, 67 points tonight?

So all it has to do is hold Oregon 10 points under its season average (76.4) and the Cougs have finally won in Eugene.

But how do they do that?

First off they have to keep Aaron Brooks (pictured trying to score against Kyle Weaver; AP photo) under control, not allowing him to penetrate. Since the WSU game in which he had 31 points, Brooks is averaging 12.6 points a game and the Ducks are 1-5. Control Brooks and you make it tough for UO to win.

Tajuan Porter, the 5-foot-6 freshman, has tried to take up the slack, averaging 15 a game over the same stretch after having 17 in Pullman.

The No. 1 priority for the Cougars’ defense then? Keep those two quick guards in front of them and let them create offense for themselves and their teammates.

We’ll see if WSU can do it.

Have any questions and/or comments? Go ahead and click the comment link and chime in.