Ducks, Runnin' Rebels laying low in the round of 16

"A lot of that stuff, that publicity, will get to your head," said the 5-6 freshman, who hit four 3-pointers to lead Oregon past Winthrop in the second round. "You start to forget about what you need to do. You feel like you got it made already. That keeps us humble, keeps us working hard, keeps us hungry."

Even beyond their low profile, the two teams are remarkably similar, said Oregon's Aaron Brooks. Guards will be all over the court, often as many as eight at a time. Neither team starts a player over 6-9.

But the Ducks prefer to run and stretch the court and are content to camp outside the 3-point line. They've thrown up 852 3-pointers this season, making a Pac-10 and school record 329.

"If they get a run-out, they'll take it. If they need to slow it down and run a set, they will," Kevin Kruger said. "That's very similar to kind of what we do. We kind of pick and choose when to run."

But figure the Runnin' Rebels to slow this one to a brisk jog.

"A lot of people expect this game to be up in the high 70s, 80s, possibly even 90s," Kruger said. "That's the one thing we want to do, control the tempo and dictate pace and make them play our game instead of conforming to theirs. Because if we do that we're probably going to lose."

It won't be easy to slow the game down, with several Runnin' Rebels slowed by nagging injuries.

Guard Wink Adams is recovering from a bruised tailbone he got in Sunday's 74-68 upset of second-seeded Wisconsin. Kevin Kruger was hobbling around with an ice pack on a bruised ankle after Thursday's practice. Wendell White is nursing a bruised set of ribs.

All are expected to play.

"We have a lot of respect for Pac-10 teams," Lon Kruger said. "Tournament time is an opportunity to play other good teams from very good conferences. And I don't think guys need motivation at this point."