MBB: Oregon finally asserted itself, can they keep it up?

Affected by inconsistencies and accidents to date this season, the Oregon males’s basketball group Duck followers have wished to see all 12 months confirmed up in a blowout over Arizona in Eugene final weekend.

The query was, would those self same Geese present up in opposition to a far inferior Cal group, or would they lack the motivation given the opponent?

Thankfully, Oregon got here out with the identical mindset and dismantled Cal 87-58 in a sport that went precisely the best way it ought to have.

5 Geese scored in double figures, and the protection that had worn down Arizona fully overwhelmed the Golden Bears. It was a welcome sight too, as a result of with everybody lastly wholesome and having confirmed themselves succesful the Saturday earlier than, Oregon was flat out out of any extra excuses.

The Geese shot practically 60% from the sphere and 84% on free-throws, a lot nearer to what followers ought to anticipate from a group of their calibur. They nonetheless solely managed 37% taking pictures from 3-point vary, a stat that should enhance, however the best way the group is enjoying protection the final couple video games, it has develop into much more workable.

Oregon held Cal to 40% taking pictures from the sphere and 25% taking pictures from deep whereas forcing 9 turnovers. N’Faly Dante and Kel’el Ware proceed to guard the rim properly, and Oregon is chopping down drastically on second-chance factors.

This on-court efficiency, and much more importantly, this new mentality, appears to be popping up on the proper time, as Oregon now faces 12 extra convention video games of which they may probably have to win at least 10 in the event that they wish to keep away from lacking the NCAA Match for a second consecutive 12 months, one thing that hasn’t occurred to Altman and co. in over a decade.