SEATTLE — As great leaders do, the Oregon coaching staff devised a game plan for beating Washington on Friday that was equal parts attitude and execution.
The challenge was monumental: On Friday night, sixth-seeded Oregon was to face the third-seeded and 11th-ranked Huskies, led by newly crowned NCAA all-time leading scorer Kelsey Plum. The Ducks were encouraged but also a little exhausted after their first-round win Thursday over Arizona. Washington, meanwhile, had a bye Thursday. That provided more time to prepare for the Ducks, who hosted the Huskies in Eugene on Dec. 30 and lost by 22.