The Arizona Cardinals ended their run as the No. 1 team after suffering their first loss of the season. While they only dropped to No. 2 in the polls, things are not going to get any easier for the Wildcats. The team might be playing at home Thursday night, but the Oregon Ducks come to town looking to pull the upset against one of the nation's best teams.
The Wildcats are trying to figure out what to do after losing Brandon Ashley for the season. Losing the sophomore forward will certainly make the back half of Arizona's season tough as they face the Ducks for the first time without him. Ashley injured his foot and will likely need to undergo surgery. As one of the most versatile players in basketball, Ashley was a nightmare matchup for opponents.
Without Ashley, freshman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is expected to become a starter and pick up the slack offensively. He should also make an impact on defense. However, Hollis -Jefferson will not be able to make up for the lost 3-point numbers. The freshman hit just 1 of his 6 attempts in the team's last game.
Oregon has seen a drop off this season after looking like a lock for the tournament. The Ducks started on a 13-0 run, ranking in at No. 10 in the AP Poll at one point. However, they have since lost five straight games. They have won their last two of three games which could help get back into tournament play, but a win against Arizona would do wonders for their resume. Joseph Young will lead the team after putting up 46 points combine in his last two games, averaging 18 per game.
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