Oregon Men’s Basketball seems to have found a spark, carrying the momentum from their thrilling comeback against USC into a commanding 85-71 victory over Wisconsin. This late-evening matchup in Eugene showcased the Ducks at their most cohesive and defensively sound all season.
Despite the postseason being out of reach, Oregon is embracing the spoiler role with gusto. Nate Bittle shone brightly, dropping 20 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out five assists. His performance not only boosted his NBA draft prospects but also etched his name in the record books as the 41st Duck to score over 1,000 career points.
Bittle wasn't alone in this effort. Takai Simpkins contributed 17 points, KJ Evans added 16, and Wei Lin chipped in with 13, leading to a team shooting percentage of 52%. Yet, the real headline was the Ducks' defense, which stifled the Badgers to just 33% shooting-Oregon's best defensive showing since their January 2nd win over Maryland.
This season hasn't unfolded as the Ducks had hoped, but Bittle's strong finish, especially after overcoming a midseason injury, is a silver lining. If the team can string together a few more wins, it could set a hopeful tone for 2027, with the core roster remaining intact aside from Bittle.
Next up, Oregon heads to the Great Lakes for a promising matchup against Northwestern, followed by a chance to upset a Top 25 Illinois team. They’ll wrap up their regular season at home against Washington on March 7th, likely concluding their 2026 campaign.