Tyler Dorsey riding hot streak heading into title game

LAS VEGAS – Before top-seeded Oregon advanced to tonight’s Pac-12 tournament title game against Utah, surviving Arizona in an semifinal overtime thriller, Dylan Ennis rode around his scooter during pre-game warm ups like usual.

What did he see?

He saw freshman Tyler Dorsey with a look in his eye that ensured Ennis that his freshman starter was primed for a big game.

“I knew from the start, he had the look in his eyes that he wanted to go out there and do everything for our team,” Ennis said.

Dorsey had just that.

For the second straight game, Dorsey, who finished with 19 points, rose to the occasion and hit shots — threes to be specific — at the most opportune times, making it difficult for Arizona to claw back into the game. He ended up 4-for-6 from deep.

Even if he wasn’t willing to admit it, Dorsey had some extra motivation to play well against the Wildcats: despite giving a verbal commit to Sean miller and Arizona before the ninth grade, Dorsey ultimately withdrew, choosing Oregon after getting cut by Miller’s Team USA U18 roster.

“I knew he was prepped for a big game when Arizona was on that ticket,” Ennis said. “Obviously, him committing to Arizona and decommitting to come here, it’s a personal game. You can’t get around that. But he didn’t allow that to take over his mind.”

Against Washington in the second round, Dorsey did much of the same, posting 17 points, and splashing home critical threes in the second half on three separate occasions when the game was within four points.

It’s rare you see Dorsey smiling in a game. A reserved player, Dorsey isn’t one to show express much emotion. But last night, in front of a red sea of rowdy Arizona fans, Dorsey couldn’t help but show his vibrant smile as he watched shot after shot splash through.

With 38 seconds remaining in overtime, Dorsey turned to Tony Stubblefield — the coached that helped recruit him to Oregon — and simply uttered the words “Oh my God.”

Moments later, the two were roughing around like two middle schoolers counting down the final seconds before summer break.

In the past two games, Dorsey has shot 7-for-13 from three for a combined 36 points. Oregon can only hope its freshman standout can continue this recent hot streak.

“It was just another win man,” Dorsey said after the Arizona game. “They were in the way, got to get the win, and that’s what we did.”