Oregon Ducks Look to Reset and Reignite in Key Rivalry Matchup vs. No. 25 Washington
After a week away from the court, the Oregon Ducks are stepping back into the fire-and it’s a rivalry game that could shape their postseason path.
Oregon hasn’t played since last Sunday’s 80-64 loss to Ohio State, a game where little went right and even less was worth dwelling on. Head coach Kelly Graves used the extended break not to double down on practices, but to give his team a chance to breathe-physically, mentally, and academically.
“Rest this time of year is important,” Graves said Thursday. “Sure, we could cram in another practice, but we chose not to because I think rest is needed… It’s keeping them fresh mentally as well as physically.”
That rest could pay off in a big way on Sunday when the Ducks head to Seattle to face No. 25 Washington at Alaska Airlines Arena.
The Huskies are surging and currently ahead of Oregon in the Big Ten standings. Both teams are jockeying for position-not just in the conference tournament, but also in the eyes of the NCAA selection committee.
Graves liked what he saw when the Ducks returned to the practice floor.
“We had high energy today. We were focused.
We turned our attention to Washington. You could tell that they were kind of reenergized,” he said.
“That’s what you’re trying to get out of this time of year.”
Now, let’s break down what needs to click for Oregon to walk out of Seattle with a statement win.
1. Sophomore Stars Must Bounce Back
Oregon’s engine runs through two second-year standouts: Katie Fiso and Ehis Etute. They’ve been the Ducks’ most impactful players throughout conference play, but their performance against Ohio State was uncharacteristically flat. Combined, they managed just 13 points on 4-of-15 shooting-marking the first time all season that neither hit double figures.
“Typically they don’t both have a lesser-than-good game, and they did,” Graves said. “Give Ohio State credit-they put so much pressure on you that it’s hard for those two to get going.”
The good news? Washington doesn’t bring the same defensive length or pressure.
Ohio State’s 6-foot-6 presence in the paint and relentless perimeter defense disrupted Oregon’s rhythm. The Huskies, while talented, don’t have that same disruptive makeup.
That opens the door for Fiso and Etute to get back to doing what they do best. Etute has already earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors this season and flirted with a 20-point, 10-rebound average during a recent three-game win streak. Fiso, meanwhile, ranks second in the Big Ten in assists and leads the conference in point-assist double-doubles.
“Ehis has been great. We talked about it after the fact.
She knew that she needed to do just a little bit more,” Graves said. “Katie is still a work in progress… Her effort and Ehis’ effort, they were the same.
Just execution sometimes wasn’t as good, and obviously production. But they’ve moved on.
They’ve both had great practices this week.”
2. Fiso’s Homecoming Adds Extra Weight
Sunday’s game isn’t just another conference matchup for Katie Fiso-it’s a return to her roots.
The Seattle native was a star at Garfield High School, winning three state titles and earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors before heading south to Eugene. Now, she’s coming back as Oregon’s leading scorer and primary playmaker, with a crowd full of family and friends expected in the stands.
“Katie and I were talking today. She’s got a ton of family who will be at the game,” Graves said.
“Hopefully Katie can control her emotions. It’s always difficult when you go back home.”
Last year, Fiso played just 13 minutes in Seattle and scored two points. That won’t cut it this time around.
She’s the Ducks’ offensive heartbeat, averaging 14.6 points and nearly seven assists per game. If she’s not in rhythm, Oregon’s offense tends to sputter.
There are other Seattle ties on the roster too. Starting guard Ari Long began her college career at Washington before transferring to Oregon, and assistant coach Tre Simmons once wore the purple and gold himself.
“It’s a big game for those guys in particular,” Graves said. “But obviously it’s big for our team.”
The Ducks showed what they’re capable of in their last rivalry matchup, a focused and energized win over Oregon State. Graves is hoping that same edge shows up in Seattle.
3. Washington’s Firepower Is Real
This isn’t the Washington team of years past. The Huskies are ranked for a reason.
At 8-6 in Big Ten play, they’re ahead of Oregon in the standings and have already secured wins in two of the last three meetings with the Ducks. Head coach Tina Langley has this group playing confident, balanced basketball-and they’ve got scoring threats at every position.
“I think what makes them tough is you’ve got to guard all five,” Graves said. “Every single time down the court. They can all beat you.”
Three Huskies-Avery Howell, Sayvia Sellers, and Elle LaDine-have posted 30-point games. Howell recently dropped a career-high 34 in a win over Wisconsin.
LaDine’s big performances have come in previous seasons, but she’s still a capable scorer. The biggest threat right now?
Sellers.
At just 5-foot-7, Sellers is a dynamic guard who’s already notched three 30-point games this season. She can score in bunches and, despite a dip in assist numbers, remains a capable playmaker.
“Sellers is just elite,” Graves said. “She’s still capable of getting you 8-to-10 assists, but she’s capable of scoring 35 or 38 points in a game. When she gets on a heater, she’s pretty tough to stop.”
The Bottom Line
Sunday’s game is more than a rivalry-it’s a measuring stick. For Oregon, it’s a chance to show that the Ohio State loss was an outlier, not a trend.
For Fiso, it’s a chance to shine on her home court. And for the Ducks as a whole, it’s a critical opportunity to strengthen their postseason résumé.
The rest, the reset, the renewed energy-all of it will be put to the test in Seattle. And if Oregon’s leaders rise to the moment, this could be the kind of win that redefines their season.