[0] New Oregon teams get started.

Byline: JOHN CONRAD Register-Guard Sports Editor 

Oregon, which has won five games at McArthur Court this season by an average margin of 34.4 points, doesn't mind starting Pac-10 Conference play early since the Ducks will be at home.

The Arizona schools think starting early is a difficult proposition but feel it's not a bad time to visit Oregon, if one must, since students are on Christmas break.

These theories begin sorting themselves out when the Ducks (6-3) host Arizona State (5-2) tonight at 7:05 p.m. to open the 2001-02 men's basketball conference season.

"We have nine games under our belts, we've played well at home and we've been tested on the road, so my team is ready for Pac-10 play," UO coach Ernie Kent said. "It's a lot easier when you get to do it at home.

"But we need to make sure that Mac Court is packed because it's certainly to our advantage having a full house. The table is set to kick off the conference season in a very positive way. This team is playing with a lot of energy, and if things are at a fever pitch it could take our energy to another level in a big way."

There were some 1,500 general admission tickets still on sale as of Wednesday, however.

The UO must not be anticipating a stampede to the ticket window because adult general admission tickets are being offered on a 2-for-1 basis for both the Arizona State game and the Arizona game on Saturday.

Games against nationally ranked Arizona have traditionally always sold out.

"Our homecourt advantage is an obvious concern of mine," Kent said.

"I'm hoping enough people in the community would like to see two outstanding games, especially when they have an opportunity to get floor seats that aren't always available."

Oregon is a 12-point favorite over the Sun Devils, who have struggled during their nonconference schedule and didn't hide their frustration after a recent narrow win over Montana State.

Coach Rob Evans said he wasn't "taking the blame any longer" for ASU's inconsistent play, and center Chad Prewitt said, "we'll get blown out if we play that way against Oregon."

It was ASU that did the blowing out in Mac Court a year ago, however. The Ducks were coming off an upset of Arizona, and ASU riddled them 99-72 on a Sunday afternoon, improving to 4-3 at Mac Court since 1994-95.

Arizona State also won the rematch in Tempe thanks to a second-half comeback that pretty much eliminated the Ducks from NIT consideration.

But Kent said he won't be making much of that in preparing for this game.

"The year before we beat them twice and that didn't seem to carry over," Kent said. "Each year you deal with different teams and different mentalities."

Oregon's biggest worry is the ASU front line.

Prewitt, Awvee Story and Tommy Smith will be tough matchups for the Ducks, who boast an advantage on the perimeter with Luke Ridnour, Luke Jackson and Frederick Jones.

"Storey is one of the most active players in the league, and he's always done a good job against us," Kent said. "Smith is playing very well this year, and Prewitt causes a lot of problems because he can play inside or out and put the ball on the floor.

"Everyone is going to have to be accountable because they are a great one-on-one team and a great rebounding team."

This game will be a valid test of how much improvement Oregon has made defensively.

The Sun Devils' 27-point win here last year was their most lopsided road win since 1981, and it came about because ASU shot 61.9 percent. It was Oregon's worst home loss since 1993.

A repeat of that scenario is unlikely, but Oregon has yet to prove it can win close games this year.

The Ducks are 0-3 by a total margin of eight points on the road, and no one has been closer than 24 in Mac Court. You know that is about to change.

For all the talk of Mac Court magic, the Ducks were 3-6 at home in league last year, their worst performance since a similar mark in 1993. They can forget any kind of postseason bid if they don't turn that mark around, and the challenge begins tonight.

UO OUTLOOK

Men's basketball

ARIZONA STATE at OREGON

OREGON (6-3, 0-0) STARTERS

Luke Ridnour, 6-2 So. (13.6 ppg, 4.6 apg)

Frederick Jones, 6-4 Sr. (13.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

Luke Jackson, 6-7 So. (12.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg)

Robert Johnson, 6-8 Jr. (10.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg)

C. Christoffersen, 7-3 Sr. (10.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

ARIZONA ST. (5-2, 0-0) STARTERS

Kyle Dodd, 6-0 Jr. (3.7 ppg, 2.6 apg)

Curtis Millage, 6-2 Jr. (11.9 ppg, 2.6 apg)

Tommy Smith, 6-10 Jr. (12.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg)

Awvee Storey, 6-6 Sr. (9.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg)

Chad Prewitt, 6-9 Sr. (13.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg)

TIME

7:05 p.m. PST.

RADIO/TV

KUGN-AM (590). No live or delayed television.

TICKETS

Reserved seats are $18, general admission $7 for students/seniors, or 2-for-1 for $11 adult general admission for both the ASU and Arizona games.

WATCH: Center Chris Christoffersen will face veteran Chad Prewitt, who has had 20 or more points three times this year and double-doubles in two of past three games.

THE DUCKS: Lead the Pac-10 in scoring (83.6 points per game), scoring margin (plus-21.2), field-goal percentage (49.1), free-throw percentage (75.1) and three-pointers (8.11 a game) ... Defensively, the Ducks are third in scoring (62.3), second in field-goal percentage (37.5), first in three-point percentage (28.2) ... Oregon is second in rebound margin (plus-10.0) and assists (17.56 a game) ... Brian Helquist returns from a two-game absence because of an ankle sprain.

THE SUN DEVILS: Best win this year was 71-62 over Utah, the worst loss 79-69 at home to Portland State ... Chad Prewitt had two 20-point games in first 89 appearances, three in seven games this year and leads league in field-goal percentage (66.0) ... Sun Devils are 21-2 under Rob Evans when they shoot 50 percent from the field ... ASU is second in Pac-10 in field-goal percentage (47.8), 10th in three-point percentage (28.3).