LOS ANGELES - Bev Smith isn't spending much time with her UO women's basketball team this week reviewing their games at UCLA and USC a year ago, and it's hard to fault that.
For one thing, Oregon has a dramatically different roster one year later, after the departure of five seniors and the addition of six freshmen. Then there's the fact that the games against the Bruins and Trojans last season ended in such dramatically bad fashion for the Ducks, it took them nearly a month to recover. If those results have been purged from Oregon's collective psyche, perhaps that's for the best.
The Ducks (10-8, 4-3 Pac-10) return to the scene of last season's heartbreak tonight at 7 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion against the Bruins, who rallied from a halftime deficit to beat visiting Oregon a year ago. That came two days after the Ducks' opponent Saturday, the Trojans, capitalized on a UO turnover late in regulation to force overtime, then won in double overtime. The losses began a stretch of six defeats in eight games for Oregon, and ruined a 9-3 start to the season.
"We probably played two of our better games down there and came out empty-handed, which is unfortunate," Smith said. "But our players remember that, and feel good about" their chances for a better outcome this week.
If the Ducks don't need a reminder of last year's soul-crushing defeats, they're also aware of what's on the line for this return trip to Southern California. Just one win this week would greatly enhance Oregon's chances of finishing at least .500, and possibly returning to the WNIT. Win two, over the two teams tied with them in the conference standings, and the Ducks can continue to entertain bigger dreams.
"This is where we can pull away, and this is where we can show we're not just a middle-of-the-pack team," UO junior Tamika Nurse said. "(That) we belong in the top half of the conference, where Oregon has been (in the past)."
As usual, limiting turnovers has been the focus of the Ducks' practice week. Though they swept Washington State and Washington at home last week, the Ducks had 39 total turnovers. If not for 21 against UW, the final margin might not have been so thin, at 66-64.
Nurse had her best week of the season against the Cougars and Huskies, prompting Smith to consider reinserting her into the starting lineup beginning tonight. That decision may come down to turnovers - as in, does Smith believe Nurse can limit them against two athletic teams this week, particularly in the opening few minutes?
After the Husky game there was concern a lineup change might also be necessary in the post, where Ellyce Ironmonger was unable to play in the second half Saturday because of a strained right MCL. But Ironmonger practiced Monday and Tuesday and appears ready to go today.
"She's a tough young lady, and she felt like she might have been able to go Saturday," Smith said. "But I think we were prudent in holding her out."
While Smith ponders her starter at point guard, the Bruins also have a decision to make at the position. True freshman Darxia Morris had broken into the starting lineup before missing the last three games with a knee injury, and UCLA coach Kathy Olivier said the Bruins hope Morris can return against the Ducks. She practiced Monday, but Olivier was guarded in assessing Morris' chances of playing today, leaving her status in question.
The good news for UCLA (9-9, 4-3) is that it's only the injury that could keep Morris sidelined tonight, and not a suspension. Morris was one of three players, along with starting post Moniquee Alexander and freshman reserve Candice Brown, who came off the bench during an altercation late in their loss to USC on Saturday. The incident was sparked by an elbow thrown during a rebound chance with three seconds left in the tightly contested game; one USC player left the bench as well, though no punches were thrown.
All four players who left the benches were ejected, but because the incident was not ruled a fight by the on-court officials the players won't face a one-game suspension as well.
Pac-10 coordinator of women's basketball officials Gooch Foster reviewed tape of the game and concurred with that judgment, according to a conference spokeswoman.
Both Olivier and USC coach Mark Trakh said the incident stemmed from a close, physical contest between two rivals whose players are all very familiar with each other.
Olivier said Tuesday she addressed the issue with her team and wouldn't punish them further.
"I felt like it was a learning experience," Olivier said. "I know for a fact they won't do it again."