Oregon Men’s Basketball Prepares for Big Ten Opener Against USC

Oregon’s men’s basketball team is gearing up for a crucial Big Ten opener against the USC Trojans. This matchup comes on the heels of a challenging start to the season, where the Ducks have faced significant struggles on both ends of the court.

Oregon’s Uneven Start

The Ducks began their season with a record of 4-0 but quickly encountered adversity. Despite a narrow victory over Hawaii without point guard Jackson Shelstad, they returned to face more challenges. The team fired a record 40 three-pointers against South Dakota State but struggled against tough opponents.

• Key losses include an 0-3 trip to the Players Era Festival.
• The Ducks committed 18 turnovers against Auburn.
• They allowed San Diego State to shoot 67.2% from the field.
• Against Creighton, they went just 1 for 15 from three-point range.

Coaching Challenges and Team Disarray

Oregon coach Dana Altman expressed disappointment in the team’s performance. He acknowledged that the players are not fully trusting the coaching staff, saying, “This is all on me.” Altman emphasized the lack of connection and trust, which is affecting team cohesion.

Currently, the Ducks rank among the worst shooting teams nationally. They demonstrate poor defense and commit numerous turnovers, limiting their offensive output. The players have not been effectively driving to the basket, resulting in decreased free throw opportunities.

Key Players and Concerns

• Takai Simpkins leads the team with an average of 15.7 points but has scored in single figures in three games.
• Devon Pryor and Dez Lindsay have yet to find their rhythm with averages of 5.2 and 4.4 points per game, respectively.
• Wei Lin faces challenges, shooting 17.2% from the field and 13.3% from beyond the arc.

Despite the issues, the Ducks rely on their core players: Nate Bittle, Jackson Shelstad, and Kwame Evans Jr. Altman stressed the importance of these players performing well for the team to succeed against formidable opponents.

Upcoming Matchup Against USC

The Ducks face No. 24 USC, who currently boasts an impressive 7-0 record and averages 91.9 points per game. Oregon will need to find a way to overcome injuries, with Bittle and Pryor listed as questionable for this game.

After facing USC, Oregon will travel to UCLA, followed by a matchup with Gonzaga later this month. As the season progresses, Altman remains focused on improving the team’s performance. He encourages his players to worry less about statistics and concentrate on making steady progress.

“This is an important month for us to get better, and we’re going to have to make some strides,” Altman said.