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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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