Shorthanded Ducks Show Fight vs. No. 2 Michigan, Now Brace for Michigan State Test
The Oregon Ducks didn’t walk into Matthew Knight Arena on Jan. 17 looking for a silver lining. But after an 81-71 loss to No. 2 Michigan - their fourth straight defeat and one that came without their two top scorers - they found something worth holding onto: grit, growth, and a glimmer of cohesion.
Despite being down their floor general in Jackson Shelstad and their interior anchor in Nate Bittle, Oregon led at halftime and gave the Wolverines a legitimate scare. That’s no small feat, especially coming just four days after a 35-point blowout loss at No. 7 Nebraska.
“I mean, obviously I’m not happy with the loss,” said forward Sean Stewart, who poured in a career-high 22 points in the effort. “But there was a lot of growth in that, especially compared to the last game we had versus a really good team.
I think we came out with a lot of energy and played together and we were connected in our huddles. … We got to carry that on.”
They’ll need to - and fast. Because next up?
Another heavyweight bout, this time with No. 10 Michigan State rolling into Eugene.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Matthew Knight Arena, and it marks the Spartans’ first-ever visit to Oregon’s home court.
Injury Woes, Leadership Void
The absence of Shelstad (hand) and Bittle (lower leg) has left a gaping hole in Oregon’s offense. These two preseason All-Big Ten selections are not only the Ducks’ top scorers - they’re also the engines that drive the team’s tempo and identity. Without them, Oregon (8-10, 1-6 Big Ten) has struggled to find consistent production, especially against elite competition.
Head coach Dana Altman knows it’s going to take more than just effort to get out of this skid.
“Guys are going to have to step up and play a bigger role,” Altman said. “We’re definitely going to need to get some more production from our wings.”
Stewart’s performance against Michigan was a promising sign. The former five-star recruit looked every bit the part of a go-to option, playing with confidence and attacking the paint with purpose. But he’ll need help - especially with Michigan State looming.
Scouting the Spartans
Michigan State (16-2, 6-1 Big Ten) comes in riding a four-game win streak, fresh off an 80-63 win over Washington in Seattle. Their only losses this season?
A six-point defeat to No. 5 Duke and a two-point stumble against Nebraska.
This is a battle-tested group, and they’ve already handled Oregon twice last season - once in the regular season (86-74) and again in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals (74-64).
The Spartans are built around physicality and discipline - hallmarks of Tom Izzo’s program. Senior forward Jaxon Kohler is a force in the paint, averaging 13.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. That rebounding number ranks second in the Big Ten and underscores Michigan State’s identity as a team that controls the glass.
In the backcourt, Jeremy Fears Jr. is the engine. The sophomore guard is putting up 13.1 points and dishing out 8.6 assists per game - second-most in the conference. He’s a dynamic playmaker who can beat teams with his vision, pace, and ability to get downhill.
As a team, the Spartans are allowing just 64.2 points per game - second-best in the Big Ten. They’re also the league’s second-best rebounding team overall (42.2 per game) and the best on the offensive glass (13.6 per game). That combination of defense and second-chance opportunities makes them a nightmare matchup for any team, let alone one missing its two best players.
What’s Next for Oregon
The Ducks’ schedule doesn’t get any easier. After Michigan State, they head to Washington (Jan. 25), then host UCLA (Jan. 28) and Iowa (Feb. 1), before traveling to Purdue (Feb.
7). That’s a gauntlet, especially with a short-handed roster.
But if there’s a silver lining from the Michigan game, it’s that Oregon still has fight. The young pieces are showing flashes, and Stewart’s emergence could be a turning point. The question now is whether they can string together enough minutes - and enough production - to stay competitive while they wait for their stars to return.
How to Watch: Oregon vs. Michigan State
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 20
- Time: 6 p.m. PT
- Location: Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, OR
- TV: FS1
- Streaming: Fubo, Sling
- Radio: KUGN (590 AM, 98.1 FM), KUJZ (95.3 FM), KFXX (1080 AM, Portland), KYKN (1430 AM, Salem), Sirius: 381
Upcoming Oregon Games
- Jan. 20 - vs.
Michigan State, 6 p.m.
- Jan. 25 - at Washington, 12 p.m.
- Jan. 28 - vs. UCLA, 8 p.m.
- Feb. 1 - vs. Iowa, 5 p.m.
- Feb. 7 - at Purdue, 10 a.m.
The road ahead won’t be easy, but the Ducks showed against Michigan that they’re not folding. Now it’s time to see if that fight can turn into wins.