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Minnesota Rolls Past Oregon on the Road

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR — The Oregon Ducks faced the Minnesota Golden Gophers with both teams vying for momentum as the Big Ten Tournament ramps up in March. Minnesota dominated the second half by outscoring Oregon 32 to 14 in the final 13 minutes of actions to roll to 61-44 road win at Matthew Knight Arena in front of 5,204 fans.

Isaac Asuma set the tone early, scoring Minnesota’s first five points on his way to a game-high 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting. The point guard added five rebounds and four assists, though he also committed four turnovers. Minnesota’s defense proved just as impactful, holding Oregon to 30 percent shooting in the first half and just 1-of-12 from three-point range. For the game, the Ducks finished a very poor 2-of-20 from beyond the arc.

Midway through the first half, Minnesota endured a nearly seven-minute stretch without a field goal. Senior Cade Tyson, who entered the night averaging 19.5 points per game, broke the drought late in the half. His five first-half points sparked a 12–2 run that pushed the Gophers ahead 22–13 before they carried a 22–17 lead into halftime. Tyson finished with 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting, along with eight rebounds and three assists.

After a sluggish offensive first half, Oregon turned to senior center Nate Bittle to generate momentum. Using high-low action to attack Minnesota’s zone defense, the 7-footer converted several interior looks to keep the Ducks within striking distance. Bittle totaled 15 points (7-for-15 FG), adding eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.

Oregon briefly reclaimed the lead at 30–29 when Kwame Evans Jr. knocked down a three-pointer from the wing, marking the Ducks’ first lead since 2–0. Evans finished with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, along with eight rebounds and four assists. Dezdrick Lindsay chipped in eight points off the bench, but consistent scoring options were limited.

Minnesota quickly responded behind key contributions from Grayson Grove and Bobby Durkin. Grove, who entered averaging just three points per game, scored 13 points (5-for-9 FG) and grabbed eight rebounds. Durkin added 11 points, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc. The pair combined for 21 of Minnesota’s 39 second-half points. 

The Gophers also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Ducks 38–28 and holding a 13–7 advantage on the offensive boards to seal the road win.

Oregon (9-17, 2-13) travels south to challenge USC (18–7, 7-7) on Saturday. Minnesota (12–14, 5-10) will return home to face Rutgers (10-15, 3-11) .

This article was written by Chad Mart, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Iowa’s Stirtz Drops Career-High 32 Points to Take Down Oregon

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR — The Oregon Ducks squared off against the visiting Iowa Hawkeyes in a Big Ten clash Sunday evening, with the two teams heading in opposite directions in the race for an NCAA Tournament bid. Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game- and career-high 32 points on an efficient 12-of-15 shooting night to lead the Hawkeyes past the Ducks, 84–66, at Matthew Knight Arena in front of 5,807 fans.

The opening half featured consistent shooting from both sides, as the team’s traded baskets and saw several lead changes. Oregon guard Takai Simpkins returned to action after missing the previous game with an ankle injury, and the injury appeared to be a non-factor. Simpkins led the Ducks with 10 first-half points and finished with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting, along with four rebounds and four assists. A Simpkins lay-in gave Oregon a 17–15 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first half — the Ducks’ final lead of the game.

Iowa responded with a decisive 13–2 run, fueled by interior scoring from 6-foot-10 junior Alvaro Folgueiras, to build its largest first-half lead at 11 points with just under four minutes remaining. The Hawkeyes dominated the paint early, holding an 18–8 advantage in the first half and finishing with a commanding 44–26 edge for the game. Folgueiras scored eight points before the break on 4-of-6 shooting and ended the night with 15 points (6-of-9 FG) and eight rebounds.

Oregon opened the second half with renewed aggression, as Kwame Evans Jr. attacked the basket for a quick layup and followed it up by drawing a foul on the next possession. The Ducks cut the deficit to five in the opening minutes behind Evans Jr.’s effort. The 6-foot-10 junior, coming off a 24-point performance in his previous outing, posted 18 points (6-of-14 FG), with most coming in the second half. While he struggled from beyond the arc (1-of-7 from three), Evans Jr. added three rebounds and three assists. Dezdrick Lindsay chipped in 10 points on an efficient 4-of-7 shooting night, but Oregon received limited production elsewhere.

Stirtz took full control after halftime, orchestrating the offense as Iowa’s primary ball handler and scorer. The 6-foot-4 senior was surgical offensively, finishing with 32 points on just 15 shot attempts. Iowa committed only five turnovers all game, with Stirtz recording seven assists and zero turnovers. Beyond the box score, he consistently made smart backdoor cuts and simplified the game for his teammates, showcasing his high basketball IQ.  Stirtz is currently projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, with the potential to climb into the lottery with a strong finish to the season.

Iowa also received double-digit scoring from Cooper Koch and Brendan Hausen, giving the Hawkeyes four players in double figures. Koch finished with 10 points (4-of-7 FG), three rebounds, two steals, and two assists, while Hausen added 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting. As a team, Iowa shot an impressive 59 percent from the field (33-of-56 FG) and clamped down defensively, holding Oregon to just 20 percent shooting from three-point range (5-of-25). The loss marks Oregon’s eighth straight defeat.

Oregon (8–14, 1–10 Big Ten) travels east to face preseason No. 1 Purdue (18–4, 8–3) on Saturday, February 7. Iowa (16–5, 6–4) continues its road trip against Washington (12–10, 4–7) on February 4.

This article was written by Chad Mart, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

UCLA Overpowers Short-Handed Oregon in Win

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR — The Oregon Ducks hosted the UCLA Bruins in a Big Ten showdown with UCLA looking to solidify its spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Bruins outmanned a depleted Ducks roster, led by their starting trio of Donovan Dent, Eric Dailey Jr., and Tyler Bilodeau. The three combined to score 47 of UCLA’s 73 points as the Bruins jumped out early and never looked back, earning a 73–57 victory at Matthew Knight Arena in front of 5,721 fans.

Oregon was without three of its top four scorers due to injuries, and it showed throughout the game. After scoring on their opening possession, the Ducks went nearly six minutes without a basket as UCLA built an early 8–2 lead. While the teams traded baskets for a stretch, Kwame Evans Jr. knocked down two three-pointers in quick succession to help the Bruins gain momentum.

Evans Jr., who has appeared on NBA mock drafts throughout his career, delivered one of the strongest performances of his season. He was aggressive attacking the rim and crashing the offensive glass, finishing with 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots.

UCLA’s size and strength were evident early in the first half. Eric Dailey Jr. pushed the Bruins’ lead to 30–16 with a driving layup, and UCLA carried that same 14-point advantage into halftime at 36–22. Dailey Jr. recorded a double-double with 14 points (5-of-13 FG) and 11 rebounds, including three on the offensive end. While UCLA narrowly edged Oregon on the glass, 40–36, the biggest disparity came in second-chance points, where the Bruins dominated 19–5.

The Bruins maintained control throughout the second half, continuing to exploit their advantage against the undermanned Ducks. Dent, who opened the game 0-for-5 from the field, found his rhythm after halftime. He sparked a fast break with a steal and score, then followed it up by leading another break and throwing an alley-oop to Dailey Jr. for a slam. Dent finished with 15 points (6-of-17 FG) and four assists against just one turnover, consistently attacking Oregon’s weaker perimeter defenders.

Oregon briefly cut the deficit to 10 points around the 13-minute mark after an 8–0 run that began with Evans Jr. completing a three-point play. That was as close as the Ducks would get. Head coach Dana Altman experimented with multiple lineups in search of a spark, but the talent gap created by injuries proved difficult to overcome.

Jamari Phillips provided a bright spot for Oregon, knocking down three three-pointers for nine points (3-of-10 from deep). UCLA’s leading scorer on the season, Bilodeau (18.2 PPG), closed out the game with poise, displaying soft touch around the basket and repeatedly getting to the free-throw line. He finished with an efficient 18 points (4-of-9 FG), shooting 9-of-11 from the stripe, while adding seven rebounds to push Oregon’s losing streak to seven games.

Oregon (8–13, 1–9 Big Ten) remains at home to close out the week against Iowa (15–5, 5–4) on Sunday, February 1. UCLA (15–6, 7–3) returns home to host Indiana (14–7, 5–5) on January 31.

This article was written by Chad Mart, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Michigan State’s Second Half Onslaught Takes Down Oregon

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR – For around the first 30 minutes, Oregon hung tight with #10 Michigan State, with a Wei Lin three-pointer getting Oregon within 1-point at the 10:43 mark. Over the next few minutes, Michigan State’s Carson Cooper, Jeremy Fears, Jr., and Coen Carr went on a 12-1 run that led to a double-digit lead. It was a 68-52 final, with Oregon losing the second half 40-26. This happened even with Oregon holding Michigan State’s leading scorer on the season, senior Jaxon Kohler, to a single basket. Oregon also kept turnovers to a minimum, only 10 on the game, but really had a difficult time getting offense going, as seen by the final score.

Michigan State is now only behind Nebraska, being tied with powerhouse Michigan in the Big Ten ranks at 7-1. The leader of the charge tonight was senior center Carson Cooper, whose size, ability to get position and touch were on display against the smaller Oregon team. Cooper finished with 19 points (8-10 FG, 3-4 FT), 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks, while being a +26 on the game during his time on the floor. He was able to get deep post position, showed a soft turnaround fade, and on defense kept verticality quite well.

Spartans’ junior Coen Carr, known for his elite vertical athleticism, did a nice job showing off his perimeter ability in this one. He was 3-of-5 from three, had a midrange make, and a couple of layup finishes where he showed off the hang time he is well known for. He finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, along with two blocked shots. Carr is still only shooting 25.6% on 3’s on the season, but it was a positive to see his confidence from long range and becoming more of an offensive factor, as defense has been his calling card.

It took sophomore Jeremy Fears, Jr. a while to get going, as one of the top floor generals in the nation was held to 2 points and 1 assist in the first half. He was able to close the game strong, finishing with 14 points and 5 assists. Fears, the older brother of 2025 draftee and current New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jeremiah Fears, is second in the NCAA in assists  this season at 8.4 per game. He helped put the game out of reach and was a steady hand in keeping it there with his handle, court vision, and poise.

For Oregon, Takai Simpkins was the one real bright spot, finishing with 15 points, 7 rebounds, a steal and a block. He is a threat off movement as a shooter, while being able to create midrange opportunities, and finish with some craft. No one else besides him could get much going, with Wei Lin finishing with 7 points (2-5 3PT, 1-2 FT), and Kwame Evans, Jr. with 6 (3-13 FG). 

Some positives for Oregon came in the first half with their team defense, as they created three shot clock violations. They have also taken care of the ball, while taking fewer risks, showing more awareness. Outside shooting is still not seen as a strength, as they finished 7-of-20, identical to that of Michigan State. The Ducks have had a tough time creating opportunities close to the basket without Jackson Shelstad and Nathan Bittle in the line-up. Their lack of size typically puts them behind in the rebound battle, as they lost it 31-24 against the Spartans. 

Oregon dropped to 1-7 in Big Ten conference play, and 8-11 on the season. Their next game is January 25th in Seattle against the Washington Huskies, who are relatively close in the conference standings. Michigan State will play Maryland January 24th and Rutgers January 27th, before what should be a huge in-state rivalry game with Michigan on January 30th in Ann Arbor.

This article was written by Michael Visenberg,  a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Oregon’s First Half Effort Cannot Hold Off #4 Michigan

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR – After being down double digits early, the undermanned Oregon Ducks went on a concerted run that got them back into the game against a Michigan team that looks to be one of the best in the country. With the clock winding down at the end of the first half, sophomore guard Wei Lin hit a three-pointer while being guarded by potential All-American, Yaxel Lendeborg, to give Oregon a 41-40 lead. The second half saw Michigan come out and dominate around the basket, with Aday Mara and Morez Johnson, Jr. getting deep post position, while Elliot Cadeau was able to attack and get to the basket, create. Michigan ultimately claimed a 81-71 victory, moving to 16-1 on the season.

With Jackson Shelstad and Nathan Bittle both sidelined for the foreseeable future, Oregon needed players to take on new roles. It had the potential to get ugly, coming off a 90-55 routing by #8 Nebraska. Former Montverde Academy teammates and juniors, Sean Stewart and Kwame Evans, Jr. both stepped up against Michigan’s front line that may be the best in the country. 

Stewart in particular scored in double digits both halves, finishing with 22 points (10-14 FG), 8 rebounds, and two blocked shots. He banked in a couple of midrange shots, while hitting his lone three-point attempt on a BLOB action. With Oregon desperate for some offensive firepower, their current fifth leading scorer stepped up and did not back down from the Michigan team with a frontcourt full of projected 2026 Draft picks.

Evans, Jr. had 12 of his 18 points in the first half, with 2 steals and 2 blocks. He could draw the defense outside, manipulate his way to the basket on closeouts, and drew fouls. With Evans, the quicker he can get into his moves and decision making, seems to do wonders for offensive creation for the team. There were times when the ball stopped, and so did opportunities for easy baskets. 

Wei Lin scored all 11 of his points in the first half, held to 0-of-8 shooting in the 2nd half. Takai Simpkins finished with 12 points, with 4 steals, many of which led to transition opportunities. He did not make any of his three-pointers, with the Ducks only finishing 6-of-18 on 3’s on the game. With Shelstad and Bittle sidelined, the long range shooting of Lin and Simpkins cannot be the combined 1-of-11 that they shot in this game.

For Michigan, Aday Mara made a massive statement to begin the second half. He went on a self 8-2 run, with a massive dunk taking Evans under the basket. He also showed his passing ability from both the low and high post, along with rim protection that made Oregon players think twice about taking it to the basket. The 7’3” junior transfer from UCLA finished with 12 points, 3 blocks, and led the early second half barrage that saw Michigan control the rest of the game.

Junior North Carolina transfer Cadeau led Michigan in scoring with 17 points, and while he finished with 5 assists and 4 turnovers, his impact on their offensive creation was notable. He used screens very well, and multiple times was able to get to the rim unabated. He was also 2-of-4 on 3’s, and the player that teams once loved to leave open is shooting 41.2% on 4 3 3-point attempts for the season. His quickness, stop/start ability, and tight handle, plus ability to make post entries fit really well with the current pieces the Wolverines have up front.

Fifth-year senior Nimari Burnett scored 10 of his 15 points in the first half, making 3-of-7 3’s while making all his two-point field goal attempts. He is a pesky defender, timely cutter, and is dangerous as a catch-and-shoot option. Morez Johnson, Jr.’s first half was brief due to foul trouble, but he scored 8 of his 9 points in the second half, all around the basket. He’s another major interior presence for Michigan, who have an array of weapons, and a bench that goes nine deep.

It was a season low point total for star UAB transfer, Yaxel Lendeborg, but he showed his value and versatility. Playing with two more traditional big men, Lendeborg handles the ball well, has over a 3:1 assist to turnover ratio currently, plus has greatly increased his three-point volume and is shooting 87.3% FT on the season. He also was the two-time American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and finished with 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 10 rebounds today. 

Lendeborg’s lone basket was on a post seal, and he did tend to float around the perimeter rather than assert his dominance considering his physical tools, which include a 7’4” wingspan. Regardless, he did what he had to do and drew a lot of attention, while not making mistakes. Certainly not a banner game for a player who still is among first team All-American consideration, but the value of Lendeborg goes well beyond scoring, which is why he is such a tantalizing NBA prospect.

Oregon moved to 8-10 on the season, with a game against Michigan State taking place on Tuesday at 6 pm PST. This was their fourth loss in a row, and they will need continued presence from their junior Montverde duo, while greater shooting efficiency from their guards. They did a much better job holding onto the ball, with just 11 turnovers on the game, compared to Michigan’s 14, which certainly helped keep the game closer than anticipated. The Big Ten schedule is going to be tough, but this was a step in the right direction in terms of remaining competitive against a top ranked opponent.


This article was written by Michael Visenberg, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

USC’s Frontcourt Onslaught Too Much For Ducks

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR – In the opening night of Big Ten conference play, USC had a huge first half from Jacob Cofie, a huge second half from Ezra Ausar, and a steady showing of dominance from Chad Baker-Mazara to edge out Oregon, 82-77. The game was close throughout, with Baker-Mazara sealing it down the stretch with several floaters in the lane, and a massive three-pointer he created off the bounce. USC maintains a perfect 8-0 record while missing junior guard Rodney Rice, who is averaging 20.3 ppg through 6 games. Oregon, after finishing 0-3 at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, is now at 4-4 on the season.

Auburn transfer and super senior, Baker-Mazara, was the game high scorer with 25-points, consistent in his impact during both halves. The lithe, 6’7” wing, showed good touch, unorthodox drives, and used his length to create space and angles. He’s also a strong defender and a steadying presence. Turning 26 in January and would be very light by NBA standards, he is averaging 20.9 ppg on the season, is a career 87.8% FT shooter and 39.5% 3PT shooter in college. He should at the very least be on two-way radars and have a chance to prove he can carve out a role in the G League.

The first half saw a dominant performance from sophomore Virginia transfer, Cofie, who took advantage of mismatches, drained a couple from long range and showed his ability to handle in the open floor at 6’10”. Cofie had 16 of his 17 points in the first half, as Oregon stifled him with doubles and kept a closer eye on him, which led to opportunities for the 6’9” senior Utah transfer, Ausar. After playing just over 5 minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, Ausar used his physicality and athleticism to finish around the basket and get to the foul line. He had all 13 of his points in the second half. Cofie also finished with 3 steals and 2 blocks, with he and Ausar able to move their feet and make it tough for Oregon to score in the paint.

The other two double figure scorers for the Trojans were freshman guard Jerry Easter II, and stretch forward Jaden Brownell, both finishing with 11. Easter II has taken on much more of a role the past two games without Rice, and he left a mark on this game with his ability to get to the paint and his defensive pressure. All three of his field goals were blow by’s, and he sealed the game for the Trojans at the FT stripe. Brownell, the 6’10” transfer from Samford, had three corner three-pointers, with his quick release being something you have to account for.

Oregon had a big performance from junior Kwame Evans, Jr., who tied a career high with 23 points and pulled down 9 rebounds. He showed a blend of his ability to stretch the floor, how dangerous he can be as a cutter, and that he can punish closeouts. He did a good job through contact and finished 9-of-11 at the line. Evans, Jr. also is an event creator defensively with his length and anticipation. This was his fifth game in a row over double figures, and the Ducks are a much better team when he is aggressive, taking advantage of mismatches with his blend of length and movement ability. While he still can work on his hands, reacting more quickly once he gets the ball, and his balance going to the basket, he was the absolute bright spot for Oregon and kept this game competitive.

After a rough start from deep for Oregon, senior Elon transfer Takai Simpkins is now hitting 40.9% 3PT on the season and was 4-of-6 from 3 in this game, finishing with 17 points and 5 assists. It has been a streaky season for Simpkins thus far, but he gives the Ducks a secondary creator, with some pop and someone defenses need to respect from deep. 

Junior Jackson Shelstad had 11 points and 4 assists in the first half, as the Ducks went into halftime tied 39-39. The second half was a real struggle, as he finished 0-4 from three, making his lone FG with the game out of reach to finish with 13 points and 5 assists. Also, in a game that saw Oregon shoot 10-of-23 (43%) from three, Shelstad finished 1-of-6. Teams have started to trap him consistently, pressuring him up court often and being physical off ball. The Ducks second leading scorer on the season at 15.3 ppg, Shelstad and Oregon will have to adapt to what is now common practice in trying to take him out of the game.

The Trojans were not the only team missing a crucial piece, as 7-footer Nathan Bittle missed his second game in a row dealing with an ankle injury. Bittle is averaging 16.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, and 2.3 bpg on the season, and will be a crucial element if Oregon hopes to compete in the Big Ten. Rodney Rice, the junior Maryland transfer, missed his third game in a row as he deals with a shoulder injury.

Oregon and USC will both be in California on Saturday December 6, playing their second Big Ten conference games at 3 pm, with Oregon facing UCLA at Pauley Pavilion, while USC will host Washington. USC has done all they have needed to so far this season, while Oregon hopes to cut down on turnovers that have plagued them as a team, and get all of their main players on the same page. 

This article was written by Michael Visenberg, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

San Diego State Tops Oregon with Hot Shooting 

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Las Vegas, NV. – Oregon faced San Diego State in the nightcap of Day two of the Players Era Championship at Mandalay Bay. Both teams were coming off losses last night, Oregon by 11 points to Auburn while Michigan rolled the Aztecs by 40 points. The Ducks ran into a buzzsaw as San Diego State couldn’t miss the entire game and rolled to a 97-80 win. Reese Dixon-Waters scored 22 points, connecting on 4-of-7 3’s, to lead the winners. Jackson Shelstad came back from a poor shooting game on Monday to lead the Ducks with 21 points, hitting 5-of-9 from deep.

Oregon couldn’t stop San Diego State at all. The Aztecs only missed 20 total shots the entire game. They shot 67% from the field (39-of-58) including 48% on 3’s (11-of-23). Oregon had one of their more efficient offensive games, shooting 40% overall and 43% (12-of-28) from deep bur couldn’t match the efficiency of the Aztecs. Waters’ backcourt mate BJ Davis added 21 points and hit 3-of-4 of his 3’s. NBA prospect Magoon Gwath recovered from a subpar performance against Michigan to score 13 points, grab six rebounds, block four shots and bring the house down with an impressive dunk.

Oregon had issues finding scoring help for Shelstad. Center Nate Bittle seemed to be bothered by a lower body issue and had some problems getting up and down the court quickly. Bittle finished with 13 points but grabbed only one rebound and sat for much of the later part of the game. KJ Evans Jr. continued his improved play, scoring 16 points, connecting on two late 3’s and adding five rebounds and five assists.

A 9-0 run early in the second half expanded San Diego State’s lead to 14 points and basically sealed the game. The lead expanded to 24 points (94-70) late in the game on a Davis dunk. The Aztecs had a 36-22 edge in points in the paint and 47-18 in scoring off the bench.

The beginning of the game showed some promise for the Ducks. After shooting 1-of-11 on 3’s on Monday, Shelstad came out hot, connecting on his first three 3’s. However, he was met by a hot shooting Aztec squad. After the teams were tied at 15, San Diego State reeled off 12 straight points, highlighted by two three-pointers from Davis to take a 27-15 lead. The margin stayed around 10 points and the Aztecs took a 51-41 lead into the break. Davis led San Diego State with 13 points while Shelstad had 16 for the Ducks. Oregon’s center  Bittle added 11 points. The Aztecs shot 69% overall, including 6-of-12 from deep. On two-point shots they were 14-of-17. Oregon also shot over 50% overall but were outrebounded 16-8 at the half. The Aztecs missed only nine total shots.

Oregon will have the day off on Wednesday and will face Creighton in a consolation game at 11am (TruTv) on Thanksgiving.

This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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Oregon Falls to Auburn at Players Era Festival 

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Las Vegas, NV. – The Oregon Ducks and Auburn Tigers opened the evening session of the  Players Era Festival at Mandalay Bay. Auburn pulled away late in the game to top Oregon 84-73. Tahaad Pettiford led the winners with 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting and added four assists and four rebounds. Takai Simpkins led the Ducks with 22 points, connecting on 5-of-8 3’s and making all seven of his free throws.

Auburn scored eight straight points late in the game, expanding a 60-59 lead to 68-59 and coasted to the win from there. Oregon couldn’t overcome off nights from their two top players, Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle. The two combined to shoot 6-of-28 from the field, including 2-of-15 from deep. Oregon was very loose with the ball (18 turnovers) and their spacing was poor on offense as in multiple sets there were four players on one end of the court. Simpkins made five poor passes and finished with seven turnovers. The team is still searching for a reliable secondary initiator on offense.

Bittle’s ineffectiveness inside helped Auburn gain a 38-24 advantage in points in the paint. The Tigers also held a 26-8 edge on layup points as the Ducks only had one blocked shot in the game. Pettiford has his way on offense, using his tight handle to continually create space from Oregon’s defenders and get off his shots. Neither team shot particularly well. Auburn was 5-of-23 on 3’s (21.7%) while Oregon connected on only 9-of-33 (27.3%). The difference was in Auburn’s effectiveness inside and on two-point shots where they converted 25-of-42 (59.5%) compared to Oregon’s 14-of-28. Because of their turnovers and general poor shooting the Ducks’ +12 edge in rebounding did not amount to much.

The teams battled to a 37-37 tie at the close of the first half. The Ducks had problems containing Auburn’s  Pettiford, The 6’1 Pettiford used his handle to get past Oregon’s defenders repeatedly. He finished the half as the leading scorer with 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Oregon’s 7’0 center, Nate Bittle led his team with 10 points and seven rebounds, banking in a three-pointer to even the game before the halftime break. Takai Simpkins added nine points on 3-of-4 from deep but was sloppy on his passing with five turnovers, The Ducks committed ten turnovers in the half compared to only three by Auburn with the Tigers having an 8-3 edge in points off turnovers.

Oregon will play San Diego State in the final game tomorrow night while Auburn goes on to face Michigan.

This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Oregon Improves in Win Over South Dakota State

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR – The Oregon Ducks pulled away in the last five minutes to beat South Dakota State 83-69 in front of 5,019 home fans. The 14-point margin was the largest of the game. Jackson Shelstad led the Ducks with 22 points. Takai Simpkins added 20 points and center Nate Bittle registered his 13th career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The return of Shelstad to the lineup has added continuity to the offense. Shelstad still doesn’t quite have his legs. He shot only 8-of-19 in 37 minutes of play. However, he added eight assists with no turnovers to go along with three rebounds and three steals. That’s a welcome contribution to a team plagued with turnovers in their first two contests. Although the Ducks had a few avoidable turnovers, they ended the night with only 10, which is a big improvement.

While Oregon’s offense showed improvement they still settled for too many quick shots. They were only 4-of-18 on possessions where the ball stayed on one side of the court. They hoisted 40 three-point shots, way too many for them, although they made 15, a good 37.5 percentage. The Jackrabbits outscored Oregon in the paint 26-18, which shouldn’t happen to a team with a solid inside presence. Bittle only had seven field goal attempts inside the three-point line. Oregon needs to play inside-out more and give Bittle more opportunities inside.

Simpkins had added a lot to the Ducks’ guard play. He’s shown to be a reliable shooter, he was 5-of-10 on 3’s tonight and shot 36.7% from deep at Elon last year. He also has been a good secondary initiator on offense. Wei Lin, who was the leading domestic scorer in the Chinese Basketball Association last season, has had problems transitioning to the college game. He’s been taking quick shots, has been somewhat turnover prone and has missed some defensive rotations. Tonight, he scored his first field goal but missed his four three-point attempts. He’s now 0-of-10 from deep this season. In the second half Coach Altman replaced him in the rotation with walk-on point guard Drew Carter. Carter hit a three-pointer and didn’t turn the ball over in nine minutes of play. Wei is talented and should show his skill fairly soon, but it will be interesting to see what his playing time will be over the next several games.

The Ducks received some solid minutes from Dez Lindsay who started in place of the injured Devon Pryor on the wing. Lindsey connected on 2-of-3 threes and scored eight points. It would help if Oregon can get some offense from that position and Lindsay appears capable of doing that. Sasha Kobzystyi also received some minutes. The 6’8 Ukrainian made a three-pointer and added a block, a rebound and an assist over 12 minutes.

Oregon will stay at home to face Oregon State on Monday night. It’s their final game before heading to Las Vegas to play in the Players Era Tournament. They’ll first face San Diego State and Auburn there as well as play in a third game before heading home.

This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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Bittle’s Huge Second Half Propels Oregon to Narrow Win Over Rice

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR – After barely squeaking out a victory in the season opener with Hawaii, Oregon cut down on turnovers while working past woeful shooting in defeating the Rice Owls, 67-63. After going into halftime down 32-27, 7’0” senior Nate Bittle was a dominant force on both ends of the floor putting up 18 points (4-6 FG, 1-2 3PT, 9-10 FT), 5 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots in the second half alone. He finished the game with 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 blocks, more than living up to his billing as a preseason All-Big Ten selection. His ability to roll and get position close to the basket were keys to his offensive explosion after halftime, while he provided verticality and had adept footwork protecting the rim.

While Bittle’s performance was the absolute bright spot in a game that saw Oregon shoot only 17-52 (32.7% FG), it also saw the return of fellow preseason All-Big Ten pick Jackson Shelstad. Initially reported to be on track later in November, Shelstad was thrown right into the fire and played 35 minutes. Oregon cut their turnovers from 21 against Hawaii, to 12 in the game with Rice, with Shelstad being able to break pressure while providing a steady hand at lead guard. The gravity and ability to create good looks for himself and others was a massive gain even with him having a rough shooting night.

The major factor in the game was Oregon’s rim pressure, which accounted for many of Oregon’s field goals in the second half, and led Oregon to 38 free throw attempts to Rice’s 11 for the game. Oregon has started off the season ice cold from the outside, as they only shot 7-28 (25%) from three, and currently are 9-44 (20.5%) this season. Even with them getting to the line quite often during these past two games, the Ducks are only shooting 65.6% FT cumulatively. While their shooting will surely come around, spacing and efficiency will be major factors as they build towards their next two opponents and defending their title in the Players Era tournament taking place in Las Vegas during Thanksgiving Weekend.

Backcourt play in this game was firmly in the favor of the Rice Owls, with Trae Broadnax, Nick Anderson, and Jalen Smith scoring 47 points while going a combined 9-19 on 3’s. Broadnax showed his array of footwork to get open on pull-ups, use of his body on drives, and that led to playmaking opportunities. Anderson was a steady shooting presence and off-ball threat, while Smith was 4-of-10 finding openings and leading the Owls with 5 assists. Their size, physicality, and off-ball movement led to high shot quality opportunities and could lead to the Ducks possibly wanting to apply defensive pressure further up the floor.

Oregon’s backcourt, with the welcome addition of Shelstad, still only managed to shoot a combined 4-of-27 (14.8%) from the field. While Shelstad was a press breaker and playmaker they desperately needed, and finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists to just 2 turnovers, he was still getting his legs back under his jumper and went 2-12 from the field. Takai Simpkins was a valuable playmaker as well, though after leading Oregon in scoring against Hawaii, had just 5 points in the Rice game. Wei Lin was 3-of-4 from the line, but is very much adapting to the speed of the college game and has yet to score a regular season field goal.

After leaving the Hawaii game with 10:33 left in the second half, Kwame Evans, Jr. started and played 26 minutes, finishing with 11 points, 5 rebounds, a steal and a block. His balance seemed to be somewhat of an issue in the beginning, though he had a self 7-0 second-half run with a drive on a feed from Wei Lin, a putback dunk and a catch 3 that was a major momentum swing for Oregon. His high school teammate and current back-up, Ohio State transfer Sean Stewart, gave a ton of energy off the bench, finishing with 9 points and 5 rebounds, and drew numerous fouls on rebound attempts as well.

Depth at the wing will be something to watch for Oregon, with Devon Pryor and Dezdrick Lindsay providing some defensive versatility and physicality, yet struggling to find offensive identity. Pryor is a great vertical athlete with a nose for the ball as a rebounder, but finished with no points in 14 minutes, while having to leave the game early in the second half due to injury. There were no reports on the timeline for the injury to Pryor at this time, and much like Kwame Evans, Jr. against Hawaii, he was taken back to the locker room. Lindsay made his only shot, a three pointer with 7:32 left in the second half, while going 0-3 from the line. With so much pressure already being applied to the guards, with Rice picking them up as soon as the ball was inbounded, it is a must that these players provide somewhat of a stretch or cut option, while giving some confidence as scoring possibilities. 

Oregon outrebounded Rice 43-32, and the front court depth wore the Owls down. Overall defensive pressure for the team has been solid, as they also managed to hold Rice to 22-of-62 (35.5% FG), and caused 14 turnovers. Other defensive highlights were a couple of perimeter blocks from  Simpkins and Stewart, not to mention the event creation from both Bittle and  Evans, Jr. on the defensive end.

The backcourt, wing have plenty to prove in the next two games against South Dakota State on November 12 and Oregon State on November 17 both in Eugene, before a week break that sees them playing Auburn and San Diego State in Las Vegas for the Players Era Tournament.

This article was written by Michael Visenberg, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter. Photos by Chad Mart.

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