Oregon Ducks Preview and Open Thread

Date: Wednesday, 1/4/16

Tip-Off Time: 6:00pm PST

TV: ESPN2

Radio: Komo 1000

Oregon Statistics:

Record: 13-2

Points For per Game: 71.4 ppg

Points Against per Game: 73.2 ppg

Strength of Schedule: 87th

Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 111.3 (40th)

Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 91.8 (15th)

Oregon Key Players:

F- Chris Boucher, Sr. 6-10, 200: 13.5ppg, 7.6rpg, 0.7apg, 56.3% FG, 87% FT, 30.8% 3pt

Boucher has been one of the better players in the conference this year. He’s one of the national shot blocking leaders, is a fantastic offensive rebounder, and doesn’t turn the ball over much. He’s been taking about 2.5 three-pointers a game while only shooting about 30% which is a shot the Huskies should let him take.

F- Jordan Bell, Sr. 6-9, 225: 10.4ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.3apg, 57.8% FG, 74.5% FT, 33.3% 3pt

Bell doesn’t shoulder a heavy offensive load for the Ducks but he’s incredibly efficient when he does. Just like Boucher, he’s a great rebounder and shot blocker but his turnover rate is about 2.5 times greater.

G- Dillon Brooks, Sr. 6-7, 225: 14.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.1apg, 48.8% FG, 75% FT, 38.2% 3pt

Brooks has missed a few games due to injury this year but has one of the highest usage rates in the country when he has played. Many thought he could be an All-American before the season and while he hasn’t lived up to those standards, he could still be an All-Pac-12 player.

G- Tyler Dorsey, So. 6-4, 195: 12.9ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.3apg, 45.8% FG, 63.9% FT, 37.8% 3pt

Dorsey is the primary three-point threat for the Ducks and is capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor. With injuries to Brooks and Boucher he has had to take on greater responsibility than expected this year.

G- Dylan Ennis, Fr. 6-2, 195: 11.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.3apg, 41.9% FG, 81,7% FT, 28.8% 3pt

Ennis leads the Ducks in minutes played and is a capable rebounder for his size. He splits time between the 1 and the 2 but is more comfortable at shooting guard.

The Outlook

The Ducks had a disappointing non-conference season for a team that started the year in the top-5 and was a common Final Four pick. However, they edged UCLA and crushed a previously undefeated USC this week at home to re-assert themselves as the favorites to win the conference.

Oregon is very balanced, with five players averaging double digit points. On offense, they are exceptional around the rim where they shoot almost 55% from two and are in the top-25 in offensive rebounding. They struggle more from the perimeter where they make less than one-third of their 3-pointers and can be careless with turnovers.

Their flaws are much less evident on defense where they’re the leading shot blocking team in the country and also hold opponents to 30% from beyond the arc. The closest thing to a flaw they have is in their defensive rebounding but even that’s a stretch.

Given the results of the past week for each team, there’s no reason to think that Washington has any chance in this game. The Ducks have more talent and also seem to be a bad matchup. UW’s only chance in this game is to hope they can catch fire from deep and then keep Boucher and Bell off the offensive glass.

Prediction

Washington Huskies- 70, Oregon Ducks- 88