Utah faces tough test in No. 18 Ducks

PORTLAND — Riding a three-game winning streak, the Utah basketball team will face its biggest test of the young season when it takes on 18th-ranked Oregon today at the Rose Garden (4 p.m. MST).

The Utes had a big game last month when they took on the University of Washington on the Huskies' home floor and lost a close battle 83-77, but this will be a huge task for the Utes.

The Ducks have four starters back from last year's 29-8 team that made it all the way to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. They come into today's game with a 6-1 record, but haven't played for nine days because of exams since defeating Kansas State on the road.

"They're a quick, running, spacing team with a lot of pick and rolls," said Ute coach Jim Boylen. "They have a lot of talent. We're going to go in and play defense and try to get back in transition and make shots. Transition defense and 3-point shooting defense are going to be big in this game."

Utah's uniforms say "Runnin' Utes" and Boylen has been exhorting his team to push the ball as much as possible this year. However, it may not be a great idea to try to run with a Duck team that is averaging 91 points per game.

The Ducks aren't expecting Utah to run with them.

"We're a team that likes to get out and run, so it's not that much fun," Oregon forward Maarty Leunen told the Oregonian, referring to the Utes' style. "But we like the challenge."

Although the Utes like to run sets and get the ball into center Luke Nevill whenever possible, they aren't going to shy away from their running game, according to Boylen.

"We're not scared of running," Boylen said. "The more possessions the better for us. When you're like us and shoot 54 percent, you want more possessions. Our conditioning is good and our depth is back where we should be."

Oregon is led by forward Malik Hairston at 17.9 points per game. Leunen averages 15.7 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, while 5-foot-6 Tajuan Porter averaged 15.7 ppg and 6-4 guard Bryce Taylor scores 15.0 ppg. Forward Joevan Catron is the fifth starter in double figures at 11.0 ppg and also averages 9.0 rebounds.

Both Hairston and Porter are from Detroit and although Boylen didn't recruit them to Michigan State he said he is "very familiar" with them.

The Utes will go with their usual starting lineup of the past three games with Nevill in the middle, Shaun Green and Carlon Brown at forwards and Tyler Kepkay and Lawrence Borha at guards.