Oregon Ducks hope to carry positive momentum to basketball game vs. No. 10 UConn
Oregon defeated UConn by 18 points the last time the two teams played in 2020.
The Ducks are hoping for a similar result when they meet on Monday afternoon.
Oregon (8-6) is coming off an emotional 68-66 overtime victory against No. 7 Arizona, where it held the Wildcats to 12 points during the last two periods. No. 10 UConn (9-3) also played Saturday as it rolled past Xavier 78-41 in Hartford.
With both teams on short rest, Oregon coach Kelly Graves says Saturday's victory was significant because he feels it can give his team a momentum boost.
"Monday is a nationally televised game, it's icing on the cake, it's UConn, " Graves said. "If we lose that game (Arizona), we might have a different mindset heading into the game on Monday.
"This really helps with some momentum and some belief and adds a little pep in the step going into Monday. Not often do you bring in two top 10 teams and play them back-to-back like this.
"I know our kids are going to be excited."
UConn's place in women's college basketball history cannot be argued. The Huskies have won a record 11 NCAA Division I National Championships and a women's record four in a row, from 2013 through 2016, including over 50 conference regular season and tournament championships.
UConn also owns the two longest winning streaks (men's or women's) in college basketball history. The longest streak, 111 straight wins, started with a win against Creighton on November 23, 2014, and ended on March 31, 2017 when a buzzer-beater at the end of overtime resulted in a 66–64 loss in the 2017 NCAA Final Four to Mississippi State.
While UConn is the most successful program in women's basketball history, the last of its 11 national championships was almost six years ago. Despite making it to their 13th straight Final Four last season, women's college basketball is beginning to have more parity in the sport.
As for its history against UConn, the Ducks have played the Huskies four times and lost all but one (2020). Oregon last hosted UConn at Matthew Knight Arena in 2012, and the Huskies destroyed the Ducks 95-51.
Oregon players are hoping for a different result this time around as they're excited to play against such a storied program.
"I'm really excited as we've been looking forward to this game for the longest," Oregon forward Nyara Sabally said. "The fans are looking forward to this game. I have people texting me from all over telling me they're going to be here.
"I think it's an exciting game for everyone involved. UConn is a powerhouse, legendary name. It's going to be fun to play those kids."
Oregon vs. UConn
Projected Oregon (8-6) starters
Guard, Endyia Rodgers, Jr., 13.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Guard, Maddie Scherr, So., 7.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Guard Sydney Parrish, So.,12.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg
Forward, Nyara Sabally, r-Jr., 15.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg
Forward, Sedona Prince, Jr., 11.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Projected UConn (9-3) starters
Guard, Caroline Ducharme, Fr.,10.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Guard, Christyn Williams, Sr.,14.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Forward, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Sr., 9.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg
Forward, Dorka Juhasz, Grad Student., 6.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg
Guard, Nika Muhl, Soph.,1.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Time: 2:00 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena
TV: ESPN2 Radio: KUGN-AM (590)
Contact Register-Guard sportswriter Antwan Staley at astaley@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon Ducks hope to carry positive momentum to game vs. No. 10 UConn
