NCAA Tournament: Oregon Ducks Face Feisty Rhode Island

Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Rhode Island Rams forward Kuran Iverson (23) yells from the court against the Creighton Bluejays in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Rhode Island Rams forward Kuran Iverson (23) yells from the court against the Creighton Bluejays in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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A trip to the Sweet 16 is on the line and the Oregon Ducks cannot look past Rhode Island on Sunday.

The Oregon Ducks have been one of five teams to win an NCAA Tournament game over the last five seasons and are just the second team to get 30 wins the last two years. The other is Villanova. The Wildcats are a one seed. With the Ducks a three seed they have some work still to do this weekend to get further in the NCAA Tournament.

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Rhode Island defeated and outpaced Creighton on Friday setting up a matchup between and 11 seed and a 3 seed that appears slightly lopsided, but don’t let the numbers fool you. Rhode Island is a team that can run with the Oregon Ducks.

The Rams finished third in the Atlantic 10 behind Dayton. Rhode Island also has some momentum after an NCAA Tournament game. They won their Conference Tournament and are on a nine game winning streak. E.C. Matthews paces the Offense with 15 points per game. The team averages 73 points per game and average 38 rebounds per contest.

The Oregon Ducks lost in the Pac-12 Championship, but bounced back well against Iona. Jordan Bell posted 17 points and 10 rebounds and Payton Pritchard is showing post season form. He had a no look pass to Kavell Bigby-Williams that was one of the highlights vs the Gaels on Friday. Typer Dorsey continued to rampage the scoreboard picking up his fourth 20 point game. Oregon needs to pay attention to Rhode Island. While the Ducks have the talent, Rhode Island may be the team that has the drive.

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The Oregon Ducks and Rhode Island Rams tipoff Sunday at 4:10pm Pacific Time from Sacramento on TBS.