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GAME DAY PREVIEW Game time: 8:30pm ET Oregon (6-1) at Arizona (6-1) | |||||
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TUCSON, Ariz. (ESPN.com news services) -- Fifth-ranked Arizona, coming off its worst loss in 17 seasons, should be glad tonight to see Pac-10 Conference foe and co-leader Oregon arrive at the McKale Center. The Wildcats (17-4, 6-1 Pac-10) were slammed, 86-60, at Louisiana State on Saturday, their worst loss since the 1982-83 season. They shot a season-worst 34 percent (21-of-62) from the field and were just 3-of-20 from 3-point range. But little has bothered Arizona in the past few seasons when it has faced the surprising Ducks (15-3, 6-1), whom they have beaten 16 of the last 17 times, including four straight. The only loss was a 78-72 decision on the road on February 20, 1997. The streak has given Arizona a 29-14 lead in the all-time series. Arizona's freshman tandem of Jason Gardner and Gilbert Arenas continues to sparkle this season. They are combining for 26.3 points and 7.8 assists per game and are tops on the team in steals. Gardner has received plenty of playing time, averaging 36 minutes, and has played an entire contest five times. The Ducks, who open a four-game road trip, have won four straight -- all within the conference -- and seven of their last eight. They moved into a share of first place in the conference with a convincing 73-58 victory against UCLA on Saturday. The trip continues with a visit to Arizona State on Saturday, then with games at Stanford on February 10 and at California on February 12. A.D. Smith leads Oregon with 15.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He has scored in double figures in all but one game this season. Smith, the conference's reigning Player of the Week, had 18 points in the win over UCLA.
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