NCAA Tournament: Oregon vs BYU, Ducks Drop BYU 87-68

Oregon Knocks Off BYU 87-68 Led by Hometown Hero Elgin Cook with 23 points and 8 rebounds.

Mar 20, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Elgin Cook (23) goes up for a layup, guarded by Brigham Young Cougars guard Matt Carlino (2) and forward Eric Mika (00) during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Final Report 

Oregon moves on to face Wisconsin on Saturday in the Round of 32.

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Preview:

Oregon (23-9) meets BYU(23-11) in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. The Ducks are coming off their worst loss of the season, which came in the Pac-12 Tournament against a fully loaded UCLA team, 82-63. Prior to that loss the Ducks had several impressive win streaks throughout the 2013-14 regular season, which they would like nothing more to duplicate in the Round of 64. Brigham Young enters the Tournament without their second leading scorer, Sophomore Kyle Collinsworth whose season was cut short with a torn ACL. 

Mar 19, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Oregon forward Mike Moser during practice before the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

These two teams know each other having already faced off in Eugene back in December, It was an up and down the court battle that was won by the Ducks in overtime 100-96. This time it is on a neutral court in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Through the course of the season both teams have learned a lot about each other and adversity. Oregon Senior Mike Moser shouldered a lot of that load as the Ducks started the Pac-12 Conference season with a 2-8 record. Over the course of the last month and a half they battled back to finish the year with a respectable 10-8 Conference mark and Moser has been named Pac-12 Player of the Week twice(two weeks in a row) for his effort. Other Ducks also stepped up in a big way. Waverly Austin played the game of his life against Arizona to close out the regular season at Matthew Knight Arena. He had five blocks against the Wildcats.

"Like Coach says, he’s been here 18, 20 times, something like that, but every time he feels excited, you know. I know what he’s saying because it’s my second time and I’m still excited, just like last year.Oregon Senior Johnathan Loyd on returning to the NCAA Tournament"

here 18, 20 times, something like that, but every time he feels excited, you know. I know what he’s saying because it’s my second time and I’m still excited, just like last year. So, me and Mike are — both have

Moser has said that Oregon is a team playing with their backs against the wall. Now it is a reality. If you lose, you go home. This team has the talent to go quite a distance in the 2014 NCAA Tournament if they can put it together.

Oregon and BYU tipoff at 12:10PT on TruTV in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.

NCAA Tournament Link Worthy:

Dana Altman’s three keys to victory for Oregon vs. BYU -GoDucks.com

Photos: In Milwaukee, Oregon Ducks find themselves in a sea of Badger red -OregonLive

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