Oregon heads into Saturday’s showdown at No. 12 Purdue looking for something that’s been elusive all season: consistency. With the Big Ten schedule now in its back half, the Ducks are still searching for rhythm, health, and a defensive identity - and they’ll need all three if they want to hang with a battle-tested Boilermakers squad at Mackey Arena.
Let’s be clear: this is a tall order. Purdue enters the matchup at 18-4 overall and 8-3 in conference play, boasting one of the most efficient offenses in the country and a roster loaded with experience and physicality. Oregon, on the other hand, continues to shuffle its lineup due to injuries and chemistry issues, with a rotation still trying to gel on the fly.
“They know exactly what they want every possession, on both ends,” said Oregon head coach Dana Altman. “Their experience and toughness really stand out. Matt [Painter] does a great job with that group.”
This will be the first meeting between the two programs since Purdue edged Oregon 65-58 in Eugene last season - a game where the Ducks showed flashes of what they’re capable of defensively. They slowed Purdue’s rhythm, clogged the paint, and made the Boilermakers work for every bucket. But the offense couldn’t keep up, and that’s a familiar theme this season, especially with key players sidelined.
“We did a good job slowing them down last year,” Altman recalled. “We just had a little trouble scoring ourselves.”
The rematch could hinge on who’s available for Oregon, particularly in the frontcourt. The Ducks are hoping to get center Nate Bittle back after limited practice this week.
His presence would be a major boost against a Purdue team that thrives inside. Bittle was a force in last year’s meeting, swatting six shots and anchoring the defense.
Without him in their last outing, Oregon gave up 44 points in the paint and didn’t record a single block - a glaring contrast.
“If you look at points in the paint the other night, we got killed,” Altman said. “We didn’t score enough in there, and we didn’t have any blocked shots.”
Bittle’s return remains uncertain, but there’s no question Oregon needs him if they want to hold their own in the paint. His size, timing, and shot-blocking instincts are exactly what the Ducks have been missing.
This week has offered a rare stretch of extended practice time - a luxury for a team that’s had to constantly adjust due to injuries. Altman and his staff have used the time to drill down on defensive fundamentals, trying to clean up the breakdowns that have plagued them.
“We spent a lot of time defensively,” Altman said. “We’re making fundamental mistakes that experienced teams don’t make. That’s just effort and focus.”
Injuries have been the story of Oregon’s season, and they’ve taken a toll on both continuity and development. The Ducks have yet to see Nate Bittle, Jackson Shelstad, and Kwame Evans Jr. share the floor together in Big Ten play - a trio that was supposed to be the foundation of this year’s team. Altman built the system around their unique skill sets, but the vision hasn’t materialized due to health setbacks.
“There’s no easy answer for it,” Altman admitted. “The injuries have hurt our development from the very start. We’ve never been able to get seven or eight guys we can consistently count on in the rotation.”
That lack of continuity has shown up on the offensive end as well. Oregon is averaging 72 points per game this season, but lately, they’ve struggled to find rhythm and confidence - especially against the physical defenses that define Big Ten basketball.
“We’re going to have to hit some shots,” Altman said. “When you lose games, you stop playing with confidence. Your whole mindset shifts.”
Still, Altman isn’t ready to wave the white flag. There’s a third of the season left, and the Ducks still have time to turn things around.
The key? Keep grinding, stay together, and find a way to enjoy the process - even in the face of adversity.
“It’s not ideal, but we’ve got to keep fighting,” Altman said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to put some things together… get the guys’ heads up a little bit and have a little fun here.”
Oregon will need that spirit - and a locked-in defensive effort - when they walk into one of the Big Ten’s toughest road venues on Saturday. Mackey Arena is no easy place to play, and Purdue isn’t the kind of team that lets you ease into a game.
Tip-off is set for 10 a.m. PT, with CBS on the call.