Oregon Ducks Look to Tighten Up Before Big Ten Grind Begins
With the Big Ten schedule looming large, Oregon men’s basketball finds itself at a crossroads. The Ducks are 6-6 heading into their final nonconference matchup, and while there have been flashes of promise, consistency has been hard to come by - especially on the defensive end.
Their next test? A home game against Omaha (7-7) on Dec. 28 at Matthew Knight Arena. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m., and while it may not carry the weight of a conference showdown, it’s a crucial opportunity for Oregon to fine-tune things before the grind of Big Ten play kicks into full gear.
A Wake-Up Call in Portland
The Ducks are coming off a 91-82 loss to No. 7 Gonzaga on Dec. 21, a game that exposed some of the very issues that have plagued them through the early part of the season. Oregon gave up 90-plus points for the second time this year, and head coach Dana Altman didn’t mince words afterward.
“We're not tough enough. We're not disciplined enough,” Altman said postgame. “That's on me because they're good guys and I think they want to do it, I just haven't pushed them to the point where they have to do it.”
That’s classic Altman - direct, accountable, and demanding better. And he’s got a point.
The Ducks have talent, but they’ve struggled to string together quality possessions on both ends of the floor. In their six losses, they’ve allowed an average of 84 points.
That’s a number that simply won’t cut it in the Big Ten, where physicality and defensive execution are non-negotiables.
The Big Three Are Producing - But They Need Help
Offensively, Oregon is putting up a respectable 78 points per game, thanks in large part to its core trio of Jackson Shelstad, Nate Bittle, and Kwame Evans Jr.
Shelstad, the freshman point guard, has been as advertised - averaging 15.8 points and 5.0 assists while showing poise beyond his years. Bittle has been a steady presence in the paint, contributing 15.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. And Evans Jr. is doing a bit of everything, chipping in 13.6 points and a team-high 7.6 boards per game.
Takai Simpkins has also emerged as a reliable scoring option at 12.6 points per game. But beyond that quartet, the production has been inconsistent.
Sean Stewart has shown flashes - he’s averaging 7.1 points and 4.8 rebounds - but foul trouble has limited his impact in recent outings. The Ducks need him to stay on the floor, especially with their frontcourt depth being tested.
And then there’s Devon Pryor. The athletic forward has missed the last three games with a groin injury, and while he isn’t a primary scoring option, his energy, length, and defensive instincts have been sorely missed. Oregon’s defensive breakdowns against Gonzaga - which Altman called “awful” - highlighted just how much Pryor’s presence matters, particularly when it comes to guarding the perimeter and disrupting passing lanes.
A Crucial Tune-Up Before the Road Gets Rough
Oregon’s matchup with Omaha is more than just a chance to get back above .500. It’s a final dress rehearsal before the Ducks dive into a tough stretch of Big Ten play.
After Omaha, they head east for a two-game road trip - first to Maryland on Jan. 2, then to Rutgers on Jan. 5.
That’s followed by a home game against Ohio State on Jan. 8 and a road test at Nebraska on Jan. 13.
That’s a five-game stretch that will test not only Oregon’s talent but its toughness - the very thing Altman has been calling into question.
Scouting Omaha
Don’t let the .500 record fool you - Omaha comes into Eugene riding a four-game winning streak. The Mavericks’ most notable win during that stretch came on the road against Portland State, where they gutted out a 60-55 victory. Head coach Chris Crutchfield is in his fourth season leading the program, and Ducks fans might remember him from his stint as an Oregon assistant during the 2021-22 season.
This isn’t a team that’s going to roll over. They’ll compete, defend, and try to muck things up - exactly the kind of opponent that can expose a team still trying to find its identity.
Altman Knows What’s Coming
“We’ve got a lot of traveling ahead of us,” Altman said. “We’re going to have to get a lot tougher and better.”
That’s the message, and the mission. The Ducks have the talent to compete in the Big Ten, but they’re going to have to tighten the screws - especially on defense - if they want to make any noise in their new conference home.
Omaha is the last nonconference hurdle. After that, it’s go time.
How to Watch Oregon vs. Omaha
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Streaming: Fubo, YouTube TV
- Radio: KUGN (590 AM, 98.1 FM), KUJZ (95.3 FM), KFXX (1080 AM, Portland), KYKN (1430 AM, Salem), Sirius 381
Upcoming Oregon Men’s Basketball Schedule
- Dec. 28 - vs. Omaha, 5 p.m.
- Jan. 2 - at Maryland, 4:30 p.m.
- Jan. 5 - at Rutgers, 4 p.m.
- Jan. 8 - vs. Ohio State, 7:30 p.m.
- Jan. 13 - at Nebraska, 6 p.m.
The season’s about to get real - and the Ducks know it.