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NCAA Tournament: Oregon Ducks Set For Sweet 16 Matchup Against Duke

By Justin Phillips

Mar 19, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Marshall Plumlee (40) passes to guard Derryck Thornton (12) against the Yale Bulldogsm during the first half of a second round game of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Marshall Plumlee (40) passes to guard Derryck Thornton (12) against the Yale Bulldogsm during the first half of a second round game of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oregon Ducks Head Coach Dana Altman has been all business with his team in the NCAA Tournament. It will take a workman-like 60 minutes of basketball for Oregon to beat the Duke Bluedevils on Thursday night.

The Oregon Ducks received a gut check in the last five minutes last weekend against St. Joseph’s, but in the end came away with the win over the Hawks. It should be all business this week as Oregon takes on the Duke Bluedevils in the Sweet 16. The NCAA Tournament shifts from Spokane, Washington to another West Coast Friendly city in Anaheim, California this weekend.

The Duke Bluedevils enter as a 4 seed and have one of the best backcourts remaining in the NCAA Tournament. There are two players that are averaging better than 20 points per game so far in the Tourney.

While Chris Boucher and Dillon Brooks are becoming known names in the Pac-12 for their talent, Duke has players that have been known names Nationally for their talent even before they arrived to play for Coach K.

Grayson Allen and Marshall Plumlee have led the Bluedevils thorough the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament averaging over 20 points per game. Allen is pushing close to 22 points per contest this season and hitting 41 percent from beyond the arc. Of course, Head Coach Mike Kryzyzewski knows the NCAA Tournament well and has his team primed for a Final Four run. The Bludevils are the Defending National Champions from last season and Oregon has to be prepared with a solid Perimeter Defense.

Tyler Dorsey could be the key for the Oregon Ducks and entering the NCAA Tournament was second in the Pac-12 Conference from three point range, so far he is just 2 for 9 in the NCAA Tournament. If the Ducks can keep it within 10 points they will have an opportunity against Duke. The Bluedevils are seeking their 8th Elite 8 appearance under Coach K.

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The Oregon Ducks faceoff with Duke in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 7:07pm Pacific time.

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