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• We have to say the Matt Arena floor isn't as bad in person as it is on TV. Though it still is quite jarring to the eye. And, even though I looked for it as I walked by, I still don't know how an official can make a halfcourt call. Heck, the line is so subtle, it's almost impossible to see. Guess it won't change until a game is won or lost on a call. "The Pac-10: We're Reactive." That is the motto, right? ... Though we're kind of high up and in a corner, the press seating could be worse. As it is, if there's a play right in front of Dana Altman tonight, we may not see it. Might be asking your opinion on Twitter. ... So what will happen tonight? Two things I'm sure of. Oregon will play hard, that's a trait, or a skill if you will, that Altman's taught. The other thing? The Oregon student body will give Reggie Moore a tougher time than the WSU students did to the unnamed Washington player last week. Moore's trouble have been well publicized and the UO students have never been shy in exploiting such things. Ask DeAngelo Casto last year, when they rode him throughout the game. The best revenge, of course, is to be able to point out the scoreboard at the end of the game, something the Cougars couldn't do at anytime last season against the Ducks. ... Other than those two things, I'm not sure, just like I haven't been sure for most games this season. When the Cougars show up and play, they're pretty darn good. But when the hard-to-fathom Cougars show up – they did at UCLA, USC and Cal – then who knows what may happen. In those three games, losses. But there's a chance even the off-kilter Cougars could win tonight. ... As hard as the Ducks play, as much as Ken Bone praised their talent, they still have a lot of holes. They're not a great defensive team, though they way they are playing – with throwback zone pressure and the like – makes it a little tough to attack them at times, especially early in games. ... Two things. The Ducks are really poor shooters – when they have a hand in their face. They are ninth in the conference in shooting and 3-point shootung. But when they're not guarded – at the line – they morph into Rick Barrys. Oregon is hitting 72.6 percent of its free throws, second best behind Arizona. The moral of the story? Defend, but don't foul. Challenge, but don't touch. Easier said than done. ... OK that's it for basketball. On to football. The Cougars announced another signing today, Mansel Simmons, a 6-foot-5, 231-pound tight end from Elk Grove near Sacramento. He's the player we linked a story about that was a surprise yesterday. Paul Wulff has always like recruiting high school tight ends (Michael Roos) and converting them to tackles. Let's see what happens with Simmons.

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• That's all for now. We'll be doing our usual Twitter borefest throughout the game, so check us out at vinceg55. I think that's it, but sometimes I forget. Until then ...