Wildcats face familiar Duck squad

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Oregon senior forward Henry Madden (3), the team's leading scorer and rebounder, will have his hands full in tonight's contest as he and the Ducks face the Wildcats' stifling defense.

"(That win) gave them too much hope," he said.

As for Henry Madden, the Ducks' 6-foot-6, 211-pound senior forward, who Edgerson will draw the assignment of defending tonight when sixth-ranked UA and Oregon face off at McKale Center, the 6-8 sophomore was complimentary.

"He is a tough guy inside. He likes to bring it," Edgerson said. "He talks a lot of trash too."

At least they have something in common. Tip off is set for 6:37.

The Ducks (7-8 overall, 2-4 in the Pacific 10 Conference) are coached by first-year man Ernie Kent, who has his troops playing a new brand of basketball.

They are a perimeter-oriented team with a four man - Madden - who can step out and shoot the three-pointer, much like Kenny Thomas of New Mexico. Madden is Oregon's leading scorer and rebounder with 14.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

"It is good that we faced New Mexico in that nonconference game because we need to be concerned about the same things," UA head coach Lute Olson said. "They've got the four man who likes to shoot the three, and (Jamar) Curry is a slasher like (UNM's) Lamont Long."

Senior Miles Simon will guard Curry, who averages 9.3 points a game this season. Michael Dickerson will most likely defend the Ducks' second-leading scorer, Terik Brown (11.7 ppg), with A.J. Bramlett on junior Jonathan Nelson.

"Terik is a little bit like his dad (former Seattle Sonics player "Downtown" Freddy Brown)," Olson said. "The range is there and he has a lot of confidence. I like the athleticism of Madden and Curry, who has always been tough to defend."

With as much success as the Ducks may have gained last year in Oregon, neither Oregon school has had much success in Tucson of late. Oregon has not won here in 13 years. The Wildcats beat the Ducks 88-66 in Tucson last year.

"After the game I asked our players what they thought they did better than Arizona," former coach Jerry Green said after the loss. "They couldn't think of anything."

Oregon State, Arizona's opponent in a 2 p.m. game on Sunday, had an even worse time in Tucson last season. The Beavers suffered their worst loss in school history, a 99-48 drubbing.

"This is the worst basketball experience I've had," OSU coach Eddie Payne said after the game. "To be honest, I've never experienced anything like this and to be honest, I hope I never do again."

Unfortunately, that may be too much to ask. The Beavers have lost six in a row after a 9-2 start. All six losses have come in conference play. Now, they are without second-leading scorer Ron Grady. Grady suffered bruised ribs and a lacerated kidney on Saturday and is out for the season.

"Ron will definitely be confined to bed rest for a couple of weeks," Payne said. "There is an outside chance he could return to action but more than likely, he will not play again this year."

That's bad news for Oregon State fans, especially considering what Payne had to say about the Wildcats (15-3, 6-0).

"Arizona is definitely better than it was last year," he said. "The team is older, wiser stronger and more confident than last year. Arizona is the favorite in this league in my mind."

#6 Arizona vs. Oregon

(15-3/5-0 Pac-10) (7-8/2-4)

When: Tonight at 6:37 p.m.

Where: McKale Center

TV/Radio: The game will be televised by KTTU (Channel 18) and broadcast live by KNST (AM 790).

What: The Wildcats are riding an eight-game winning streak, including a perfect 5-0 in conference play...In their last meeting, Oregon defeated Arizona 78-72 in Eugene...The Wildcats holds a 25-14 edge all-time over the Ducks...Michael Dickerson leads all scorers, averaging 18.3 points a game.