Oregon Ducks
Pac-12 (29-5, 16-2)
Oregon entered the season as a Final Four favorite. Their aspirations have not changed since the first game. Coach Dana Altman has done a masterful job since he has been in Eugene, recruiting and coaching his teams to their potential every season. For two straight seasons they have earned a share of the regular season conference title. This is one of the most athletic teams in the country that can run the floor with anybody. They are battled-tested. Now they just have to prove they belong in Phoenix.
Big Wins: 12/28 UCLA (89-87), 2/4 Arizona (85-58), 2/11 at USC (81-70)
Bad Losses: 11/21 vs Georgetown (61-65), 1/28 at Colorado (65-74), 2/9 at UCLA (79-82)
Coach: Dana Altman
Why They Can Surprise:
There are a lot of reasons to believe this team can make a run at the final weekend of college basketball. This team is oozing with talent, a lot of which carried over from last year. Dillon Brooks, the Canadian junior who really came on the scene last year, is their most productive player that can drive the ball and stroke it from outside. The development of Tyler Dorsey as an offensive threat has also been a boon for Altman’s team. Perhaps most importantly has been the play of true freshman point guard Payton Pritchard. After earning the starting job over time, he has been a steadying force for this bunch as they have had to battle the elite Pac-12 teams. For all of their offensive firepower, they are also sharp defensively. Teams have trouble scoring against them – they lead the nation in total blocks.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Oregon will certainly be prepared for whomever they face after playing against immensely talented teams at the top of the Pac-12. However, they had issues this season where they were not able to find their rhythm and allow lesser teams to hang with them. They just barely beat teams like Arizona State, California, and Stanford late in the year by a combined total of six points. Yet they blew out a great Arizona team at home by 27. It really depends on which Oregon team shows up and with the injury to Chris Boucher during the Pac-12 Tournament, there are even more questions about which Ducks team will show up. Disrupting Oregon’s up-tempo style is key for their tournament opponents. When their offense does not click, they find themselves in some nail-biters if not total letdowns. Teams that can make shots against them can keep pace. That recipe provides a great opportunity to take down the Ducks.
Probable Starters:
Dylan Ennis, Senior, Guard, 11.0 ppg, 3.1 apg, 4.3 rpg
Payton Pritchard, Freshman, Guard, 7.5 ppg, 3.9 apg
Tyler Dorsey, Sophomore, Guard, 13.3 ppg, 1.8 apg
Jordan Bell, Junior, Forward, 10.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.1 bpg
Dillon Brooks, Junior, Forward, 16.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.7 apg
Key Role Players:
Casey Benson, Junior, Guard, 4.9 ppg, 2.1 apg
Kavell Bigby-Williams, Junior, Forward, 3.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 79.2 (50th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.7 (32, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.4 (19, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.8 (21, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.7 (63, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.2 (48, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.6 (157, 6)
Rebound Margin: 3.9 (64, 5)
Assists Per Game: 16.9 (16, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.0 (70, 5)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2016 NCAA Round of 64 win over Holy Cross
2016 NCAA Round of 32 win over Saint Joseph's
2016 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Duke
2016 NCAA Regional Final loss to Oklahoma
2015 NCAA Round of 64 win over Oklahoma State
2015 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Wisconsin
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over BYU
2014 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Wisconsin
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Oklahoma State
2013 NCAA Round of 32 win over St. Louis
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Louisville
2012 NIT First Round win over LSU
2012 NIT Second Round win over Iowa
2012 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Washington
2011 CBI First Round win over Weber State
2011 CBI Second Round win over Duquesne
2011 CBI Semifinal win over Boise State
2011 CBI Final loss to Creighton
2008 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Mississippi State
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Miami-Ohio
2007 NCAA Round of 32 win over Winthrop
2007 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over UNLV
2007 NCAA Regional Final loss to Florida
2004 NIT First Round win over Colorado
2004 NIT Second Round win over George Mason
2004 NIT Quarterfinal win over Notre Dame
2004 NIT Semifinal loss to Michigan
2003 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Utah
*all team stats through 3/5
