Oregon Ducks Hit The Road To Las Vegas To Face UNLV

The Oregon Ducks Men’s Basketball team is quickly making a name for themselves not only in the Pac-12, but on the National scene, entering this week ranked 15th in the country. With Arizona stumbling last weekend against Providence, Oregon is also the highest ranked Pac-12 Conference team in this week’s Associated Press poll and Ducks Head Coach Dana Altman has his team looking like a contender right from the start in 2015, albeit with two players that were expected to lead the team in transer Dylan Ennis and Shot Blocker Jordan Bell who have not even seen the floor yet this season.

Oregon has had the friendly confines of Matthew Knight Arena to begin 2015 and now will take the show on the road for three games starting Friday night against UNLV in Las Vegas. The Oregon Ducks have played solid Defense so far and are undefeated at 6-0 on the year so far. To start, a look at the highlights from their last game against Fresno State from Monday night:

Oregon held onto a slim lead as the Bulldogs pulled within single digits toward the end of the game, but free throws sealed the win
For the Ducks, again multiple players scored in double figures and every player that saw the floor had at least two points in the game.
Oregon scored 34 points in the paint, but Fresno State had 21 points off the bench
Oregon, again, pulled out in front earlu and led at the half 37-25. Fresno State never had the lead.
Oregon limited Fresno State’s Star Player Marvelle Harris to 18 points. He was 5 for 16 from the field, but hit 7 of 8 from the free throw line.

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The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels come into the game at 6-1 on the season and have knocked off a top 15 team in Indiana, as well as played a close game against the UCLA Bruins, a 77-75 loss. UCLA will work their way into the poll this week after topping #1 Kentucky at Pauley Pavilion by 10 points on Thursday night. The Rebels are led by Patrick McCaw who is averaging 18 points per game this season. UNLV is also one of the top rebounding teams that Oregon has faced and bring the ball down roughly 40 times per game.

The player to watch for the Oregon Ducks is shot blocker/shot maker Chris Boucher who nearly had a triple double last week and continues to be a Defensive threat on the blocking end. He had 5 blocks against Fresno State and is one to watch near the rim against UNLV.

The Runnin’ Rebels average 86 points per game while Oregon is just under at 78 points. Free throws could again be a key for the Ducks to come out on top and remain undefeated on Friday night. While Oregon has been out rebounded at times this season, the turnover margin has been the key and the Ducks are near the top of the list so far this season forcing an average of 17 per game on the opposition and finding ways to turn them into points. Fresno State had 18 turnovers against the Ducks and Oregon made them pay with 14 points.

"“It’s always a little tougher on the road. Guys gotta make extra plays. Their focus has to be sharper. Definitely the margin for error is smaller on the road.”Oregon Ducks Head Coach Dana Altman on the upcoming road trip.(via GoDucks.com)"

Winning at home throughout the season in College Basketball is usually enough to get you into a post season tournament. Winning on the road early in the season can battle test your team for the big games down the road when Conference play begins. Oregon can make a big statement with a win on Friday night. The road trip continues into next week with games in Hawaii(vs Navy) and on the road at a hostile and loud Boise State.

Next: Oregon Ducks Bowl Breakdown: Rose, Alamo, Fiesta or Holiday?

The Oregon Ducks and UNLV Runnin’ Rebels tipoff on Friday night at 8pm Pacific Time on ESPN2.

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