The Men's Basketball team which had broken an 8 game losing streak vs. Utah went into the dreaded home of the Oregon Ducks, who won their last 14 games vs. USC. Home to their weird basketball floor and weirder fans. They beat the Ducks 75-70 in a game as close as it sounded by the final score. 15 lead changes. 1 point difference at the half and USC lead by no more than 10 (first half) and the Ducks by no more than 4.
Now keep in mind that the Ducks, who went into the final 4 last year, lost 4 starters and their top 5 scorers. But the Pit is the Pit. The good news was that the team played strong team defense ( inducing 12 turnovers) and the USC front court, mainly Metu and Boatwright recovered from Utah and led the team back (18 points apiece. And the Swiss army knife that does everything needed , Jordan McLaughlin again did just that- 11 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and hit 6 FTs in a row at the end when fouled. One aspect that was fairly new was Boatwright instead of launching 3's as opposing D jumped past him used that to buzz by the flailing defenders to pickup Duck fowls (or fouls) or lay-ins. The refs for a change called 11 fouls vs. USC and 24 vs. Oregon. Brave or foolhardy in that venue but they generally reward the aggressor. And UO Coach Altman (?) seems at times to be studying for his Bobby Knight anger mismanagement class.
USC in its athleticism and long wingspan (one of Enfield's favorite characteristics) had 9 second chance points, and outrebounded Oregon 36 to 26 and in offensive rebounds, 13 to 4. Tough venue but the win makes USC 5-2 , 1/2 game behind Arizona and Stanford (did I say I hated that 50 ft . shot?). Oregon State is no pushover but USC does have a 3 game win streak here. Let's hope this streak isn't broken.
