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High-flying Oregon faces Portland in road opener

Nov 17, 2007 - 2:15 PM No. 13 Oregon (3-0) at Portland (1-2) 10:00 pm EST

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) - No. 11 Oregon begins a two-game trip through the West Coast Conference Saturday, playing its annual game with against Portland.

The Ducks have won their first three games by an average of 18.3 points, but have lost two of their last three games played at Portland's Chiles Center.

Four of Oregon's starters are averaging double figures with the lone exception being sophomore forward Joevan Catron (9.7 points, 8.7 rebounds per game). Senior guard Malik Hairston is averaging 22 points and five rebounds, while sophomore forward Tajuan Porter is averaging 17 points and 4.7 assists for the Ducks.

Senior forward Maarty Leunen is averaging a double-double at 14.7 points for Oregon, the same average as senior guard Bryce Taylor, and 10.7 rebounds.

The Pilots opened the season with a pair of losses at the World Vision Classic before defeating Liberty. Sophomore forward Robin Smeulders leads Portland in scoring at 14.7 points and is averaging 7.3 rebounds.

Freshman forward Luke Sikma, the son of seven-time NBA All-Star Jack Sikma, is averaging 9.7 points, 11 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

Oregon leads the all-time series, 47-9.