By Dylan Farrell
The Stories
The No. 21 Oregon Ducks (3-0) will look to stay undefeated on the year on Nov. 21 against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds (2-2) in Oregon’s final home game before the PK85 Invitational in Portland. The Ducks enter the matchup in the midst of a three-game tear that’s seen them post a cumulative +123 point differential and win by at least 37 points in each contest. Conversely, Southern Utah has posted back-to-back losses against unranked teams, including a 91-38 blowout at Gonzaga. As Southern Utah looks to right the ship, Oregon will work to continue the smooth sailing that's brought it to five straight NCAA tournament appearances.
Players to Watch
After losing star forward Sedona Prince to injury before the season opener, questions loomed about Oregon’s ability to compensate for her absence on such short notice. True freshman and five-star recruit Grace VanSlooten has answered all those and more, leading the team in points and blocks per game as well as third in both rebounds and assists. Her breakout has been a revelation for the Ducks, who sorely needed her to step up. Through three games, VanSlooten hast posted better results in every major statistical category except field goal percentage and turnovers per game.
For the Thunderbirds, center Lizzy Williamson holds a similar importance. Williamson, though her stats are less eye-popping than VanSlooten’s, leads SUU in points, rebounds and blocks. Right behind her in the first category is Daylani Ballena, who leads the team in threes, assists, steals and minutes. The duo comprises the majority of the threat to Oregon, as they are the only players on SUU to have participated in all four of the team’s games and average at least ten points per game.
Looking Ahead
Although SUU will certainly look to make a statement against Oregon, each team’s history points towards this being a fairly one-sided affair. Less than a month into the season, that is by no means set in stone, but Oregon’s wealth of talent and hot start definitely put it in the driver’s seat. The Thunderbirds have three forwards averaging 10 points per game, Oregon has six. SUU has one player averaging at least a steal per game, the Ducks have seven. Southern Utah has nine players averaging a turnover per game, Oregon has six. If SUU can make this game look competitive, that’s as much of a statement as they could expect to. For Oregon, anything less than the dominance they’ve displayed so far this year over three games would be cause for eyebrow raising.