2017 Oregon Basketball Exhibition: New Look Ducks Host Idaho Vandals

The new-look Oregon Men’s Basketball team will get an early test on Saturday from the Idaho Vandals.

While the game won’t count in the standings, it will be an opportunity for a young Oregon Squad to show off their new talent in front of fans at Matthew Knight Arena before the season Officially begins in less than two weeks.

The Idaho Vandals finished fourth in the Big Sky last season at 19-14(12-6 in Conference) and are looking to get to the top of the standings this season. Last season Idaho averaged 72 points per game and pulled down 36 rebounds on average. The team allowed 71 points per game.

What Oregon did last season with veterans was get to the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 1939 losing to North Carolina. The Ducks’ Starting Lineup will have one known name from last season in Payton Pritchard who will lead the way this season for Oregon. He spent the Summer working with USA Basketball. The Ducks have some of the top recruits in the country hitting the floor this season including Troy Brown, who is already pegged as a potential NBA Draft selection next year.

While Head Coach Dana Altman does not have a rim protector this season like Chris Boucher or Jordan Bell, the Ducks will have a new look and have to shift their style to accommodate the talent they have on the floor. Expect a faster pace on Offense, and a Defense that could take a few games to figure out.

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The game Saturday is part of a doubleheader to benefit Oregon Wildfire Relief. The Oregon Women’s Basketball team will face Portland State starting at 9:30 am. The cost to attend both games is a $10 donation to the American Red Cross.

Oregon has two exhibition games starting with Idaho on Saturday(11 am PT) and Northwest Christian on Monday night at 7 pm on Pac-12 Network.