Oregon @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 16, 2019 ) Oregon 68, Washington 48

Washington coach Mike Hopkins understands the challenge ahead minus starting point guard Quade Green, but he remains confident in his talented squad. The Huskies look to build some positive momentum Saturday on the road against eighth-ranked Oregon, which is coming off a surprising 72-61 loss to Washington State.

Green has been ruled academically ineligible and is out through at least the Pac-12 tournament, giving reserves such as RaeQuan Battle, Marcus Tsohonis and Jamal Bey an opportunity to earn extra playing time. “I’ve moved forward,” Hopkins told reporters. “This is what we got. This is who we are, and this is how we have to win. We’ve just got to rally. We got good players in the program. We should be able to win. Sometimes it’s position by committee. It’s a big loss, but everybody has got to pick up and do a little bit more.” Bey has started the last two games at point guard for the Huskies, who lost back-to-back games to Stanford and California before recording a 64-56 victory over Oregon State on Thursday. Oregon saw its three-game winning streak come to an end on Thursday despite another strong outing from Pac-12 player of the year candidate Payton Pritchard, who finished with 22 points and five assists against Washington State.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET. TV: CBS

ABOUT OREGON (14-4, 3-2 Pac-12): Guard Chris Duarte had 15 points, five rebounds and five steals in Thursday’s loss as Washington State recorded its first win over a top-10 opponent since 2007. Coach Dana Altman is asking for more production from his imposing frontcourt, which includes 6-11 freshman N’Faly Dante, 6-9 sophomore Francis Okoro, 6-8 freshman C.J. Walker and 6-7 senior Shakur Juiston. Walker returned to face Washington State after missing three games due to a sore back and grabbed three rebounds in 10 minutes off the bench.

ABOUT WASHINGTON (12-6, 2-3): Battle made his first start of the season on Thursday and scored 11 points in place of star freshman Jaden McDaniels, who missed the contest with a left ankle injury but is expected to be available against the Ducks. Hopkins expressed his disappointment in the play of juniors Nahziah Carter and Hameir Wright before Thursday’s contest, but the duo responded with a combined 16 points and 13 rebounds against Oregon State. Opponents have been double-teaming star freshman forward Isaiah Stewart, who has averaged 10 points and 5.3 rebounds over his past three games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Washington defeated Oregon 68-48 in the championship game of last season’s Pac-12 tournament.

2. Pritchard is seventh on Oregon’s career scoring list with 1,552 points.

3. Washington is 40-7 at home under Hopkins.

PREDICTION: Oregon 74, Washington 69