The Oregon Ducks begin their most important stretch of the year in two days.
With a 17-8 overall record and a 7-5 mark in conference play, the Ducks are still on the outside looking in when it comes to making the team's sixth straight NCAA Tournament. But with wins in five of their last six games, and five of their final six opponents looking like projected NCAA foes, the next three weeks will decide Oregon's fate.
Actually, it could very well happen this week. The Ducks, winners of five of their last six, face USC and UCLA this week, two teams ahead of Oregon by just a half game in the Pac-12 standings.