Wildcats looking to sweep

Tanith L. Balaban Arizona Daily Wildcat Wildcat junior forward Michael Dickerson soars for a dunk during UA's win over Southern Cal. The Wildcats probably need to sweep the Oregon schools to remain in the running for the Pacific 10 Conference title.

The team's first challenge comes against underachieving Oregon (14-8, 5-8) tonight at 8:07 at McArthur Court in Eugene, Ore.

Coming into the season, Oregon was projected to finish among the conference's top five. Yet through 13 conference games, the Ducks are lingering in seventh place, five games out of first.

"I think people thought that because Oregon finished strong last season and had everyone coming back, that they would be a top team," UA head coach Lute Olson said. "But, you have to ask yourself if their talent is better than any team above them. And I'm not quite sure that is the case."

Oregon, however, does have the advantage of experience over Arizona, with four seniors starting.

"We have an experienced group and you would think that would have helped us win some of these close games," Oregon coach Jerry Green said. "But the one thing we can count on is our guys being ready for each game."

The Ducks are led by senior point guard Kenya Wilkins and senior forward Kyle Milling. Wilkins leads the team with 15.3 points per game and is averaging over two assists for every turnover (104-46). Milling is the team's best post player with 11.8 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds per game.

"With my size, I can limit his shooting attempts," said UA 6-foot-5 inch junior Michael Dickerson, who was assigned to the 5-10 Wilkins in the last meeting. "But with (Wilkins), you have to worry more about his penetration than his shooting."

Arizona's plans on using constant full-court pressure. While the Wildcats will not have the crowd to keep them going, Olson feels that the team will give a consistent effort.

"Even on the road, we are still going to need constant full-court pressure," Olson said. "It might not be as effective, but our strength is our quickness and the ability to create havoc defensively."

Offensively, the Wildcats will look to Dickerson to continue his hot-hand. Dickerson broke out of a mid-season slump by scoring 44 points against the Los Angeles schools.

Another key is Arizona's frontcourt. In the last Oregon game, junior forward Bennett Davison recorded a near double-double while holding Oregon's starting big men to just 10 points and seven rebounds.

"Bennett has the ability to be a double-double performer every game," Olson said. "But, he needs to work on keeping his concentration."

Now that Simon is settling into Arizona's starting rotation, the Wildcats have been more consistent at the guard spot.

"I think that the guys are confident in our rotation now," Olson said. "Miles is still adjusting to some game-time situations, but his presence out there has been an asset for us."