Payback time

Eric M. Jukelevics Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman forward Richard Jefferson (44) jumps up for a rebound with Louisiana State junior center Jabari Smith (52) at McKale Center on Saturday. Jefferson had 20 points, five rebounds and four steals in the Wildcats' 60-59 loss at Oregon State last month. The Wildcats will have a rematch with the Beavers tonight at McKale at 6:37.

Instead of wondering whether the Wildcats would win, fans could speculate how many minutes ultra-reserves Josh Pastner and Jason Stewart were going to play once the starters racked up a 35 point lead with over 10 minutes left in the game.

But after the Beavers (12-10, 6-7 Pacific 10 Conference) beat the Wildcats (18-4, 9-3 Pac-10) 60-59 Jan. 23 for their first win over Arizona since 1990, the excitement - from the players in particular - has a completely different twist.

"We're looking for revenge in this game," said senior point guard Jason Terry, who experienced his worst game of the season in Corvallis, Ore., scoring only five points while battling the flu.

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Freshman forward Richard Jefferson, who was the only Wildcat to produce offensively against the Beavers the first time with 20 points and five rebounds, said he still had a bad taste in his mouth after the loss.

"They (OSU) have that confidence that they beat us, even if they did win by one or two points," Jefferson said. "The revenge factor is everything."

Well, maybe not everything.

No. 8 Arizona vs. Oregon St. (18-4, 9-3 Pac-10) (12-10, 6-7) Tipoff: Tonight at 6:37 at McKale Center TV/Radio: Televised on KTTU (broadcast ch. 18, Cox Cable ch. 2); Broadcast on KNST (790 AM) Game Notes: Oregon State is 0-16 all-time at McKale Center. . .Junior forward Eugene Edgerson has posted double-digit scoring nights the past two games, the first time he has done so in his career. . .Arizona has won 28 games in a row at McKale. . .Jason Terry is averaging 25.6 ppg during the last six games. . .One more double-double by center A.J. Bramlett would give him 14 for the season, the most by a UA player in 19 years.

With six games left in the conference season, the Wildcats are on the heels of first-place Stanford and can't afford any distractions that might hinder the momentum built during their current three-game winning streak.

"The way things are breaking down in the league, it puts on a different perspective, it puts a high priority on every game starting with Oregon State," UA head coach Lute Olson said. "A lot of things are going to happen over the next few weeks. There's plenty of opportunities, but there's also plenty of pitfalls if the team doesn't do its job. Our players are well aware of what needs to be done."

One factor that is in Arizona's favor is that Oregon State comes in winless in conference road games at 0-6 and has never won at McKale (0-16), where Arizona has the fifth longest winning streak in the nation.

"We're aware that there has been a difference in our play on the road," OSU head coach Eddie Payne said. "Arizona hasn't lost in 28 games at McKale but we're going to prepare to win and try to win if a couple things go our way."

If the Beavers are to stand a chance, they will need a productive outing from sophomore point guard Deaundra Tanner, who had 16 points and nine assists in the first meeting.

Tanner's supporting cast hasn't gotten much recognition but is cohesive and operates effectively as a unit, Olson said.

"They just don't look like they care who gets the credit," he said. "They're playing well as a team, they have a great point guard in Tanner and that's where it starts."

Whereas Olson had freshmen guards Ruben Douglas and Traves Wilson team up on Tanner in Corvallis, that task will go to Terry tonight.

"This is a big challenge for me," Terry said, adding there was more than just revenge on his mind.

Starting Lineups Arizona F 44 Richard Jefferson 11.6 ppg 5.0 rpg F 21 Michael Wright 14.0ppg 8.8 rpg C 42 A.J. Bramlett 14.0 ppg 9.5 rpg G 5 Ruben Douglas 6.8 ppg 2.2 rpg G 31 Jason Terry 22.0 ppg 5.5 apg Oregon State F 25 Josh Steinthal 11.1 ppg 2.5 rpg F 11 Clifton Jones 5.5 ppg 6.9 rpg C 40 Jason Heidi 10.8 ppg 5.5 rpg G 31 Ramunas Petraitis 6.9 ppg 3.7 rpg G 4 Deaundra Tanner 14.8 ppg 4.3 apg

"This is the Pac-10 title we're talking about," he said, referring to the fact that if the Wildcats win the rest of their games, they will win the program's second consecutive conference title. Not bad considering the loss of three NBA players (Mike Bibby, Miles Simon and Michael Dickerson) and a defensive stalwart in Bennett Davison.

"If you can repeat as champ losing four-fifths of your scoring, then that says a lot about the character of the team and of the coaches," Terry said.

It had looked like the Pac-10 title was in the bag for Stanford, but a recent home loss to Southern Cal has dropped Stanford's confidence and their lead in the standings.

"In this conference, you knew it was going to happen sometime," senior center A.J. Bramlett said. "We just have to capitalize."