Oregon Seeks to Extend Winning Streak Against Struggling Washington

Oregon Aims to Stay Hot as Washington Wraps Up Disappointing Season

The Big Ten regular season concludes Sunday in Seattle with a rivalry matchup between the Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies. The teams are heading in opposite directions, as Oregon (22-8, 11-8 Big Ten) looks to extend its six-game winning streak, while Washington (13-17, 4-15 Big Ten) will play its final game of the season, missing out on the Big Ten Tournament.

Ducks’ Turnaround Fuels NCAA Tournament Hopes

Oregon has all but secured an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament thanks to its six-game winning streak, which guaranteed the Ducks will finish no lower than eighth place in the Big Ten and earn a first-round bye in the conference tournament.

Head coach Dana Altman praised his team’s resilience, especially after enduring a five-game losing streak earlier in the season.

“A lot of teams fold, a lot of teams give in,” Altman said. “I’m glad this group didn’t, stayed with it. … Now we’ve just got to finish it at Washington. I know we are going to have our hands full over there.”

Leading the charge for the Ducks has been Jackson Shelstad, who has been Oregon’s most clutch performer in recent games. Shelstad scored 17 points in a win over Indiana earlier this week, marking his eighth double-digit scoring effort in his last nine games.

Huskies Looking to Salvage Pride in Final Game

Washington is on a five-game losing streak and has been one of the Big Ten’s worst teams this season, ensuring they will finish in the bottom three of the conference and miss the conference tournament.

The Huskies’ top player, Great Osobor, leads the team in scoring (14.6 PPG) and rebounding (8.2 RPG), but even his efforts haven’t been enough to stop Washington’s downward spiral. The Huskies have lost six of their last seven home games, including an embarrassing 31-point loss to USC on Wednesday, arguably the lowest point of their season.

Washington head coach Danny Sprinkle acknowledged the difficulty of finishing the season under these circumstances.

“You always have to compete for the name on the front of the jersey, but in moments like this, these are some character moments,” Sprinkle said. “You have to play a little bit for the name on the back of the jersey, too.”

What’s at Stake?

For Oregon, a win would give the Ducks even more momentum heading into the Big Ten Tournament and strengthen their NCAA Tournament seeding. A loss, however, could raise questions about their consistency heading into March Madness.

For Washington, this game is about pride. With no postseason left to play for, the Huskies can only hope to spoil Oregon’s hot streak and finish their season on a high note.

Keys to the Game

For Oregon:

Keep riding Jackson Shelstad, who has been their best offensive weapon in recent weeks.
Stay focused despite Washington’s struggles, as the Huskies will be playing with nothing to lose.
Dominate inside, as Washington has struggled in the paint all season.

For Washington:

Play with intensity, knowing this is the last game of the season.
Limit turnovers, which have been a major issue during their losing streak.
Find offensive production beyond Great Osobor, as he will likely face extra defensive pressure.

Final Prediction

Oregon is playing its best basketball of the season, while Washington has struggled mightily at home and is coming off a demoralizing loss. With momentum on their side and an NCAA Tournament bid within reach, expect the Ducks to continue their winning streak and head into the Big Ten Tournament on a high note.

Prediction: Oregon 78, Washington 64.

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