Oregon Men’s Basketball: Ducks Lack Defense, But Find Way To Win vs Coppin State
The Oregon Ducks looked broken at times, but put it together in the end for a 70-54 win over Coppin State.
The Oregon Men’s Basketball team opened the season against the Coppin State Eagles. There was anticipation after last season’s Final Four run, but this team had a different vibe than the experienced team of the last few seasons with the Ducks. New role players were looking to become household names Some experienced transfers were brought in to help.
Freshman Troy Brown is one worth watching all season. Elijah Brown and Mikyle McIntosh can also play the floor from anywhere and Elijah Brown is probably the most vocal player on the floor.
Troy Brown scored the first four points for Oregon. Roman Sorkin added an early three off a behind the back pass from Payton Pritchard. The pace was fast early for both teams over the first five minutes of the game. The Ducks were off to an early 12-2 lead holding Coppin State scoreless for over five minutes to start the game.
Both Coppin State and Oregon went on 5+ minute scoring droughts that saw the Ducks go 1 for 9 before hitting back to back shots down the floor, the second a three-pointer from Romann Sorkin forcing a Coppin State timeout with the Ducks taking a 22-7 lead.
Oregon found the basket in the final five minutes of the first half to take a 42-14 lead. Roman Sorkin led the Ducks with 18 points in the first half.
The second half started sluggish for both teams, but Coppin State found the basket to more than double their first-half point total. Roman Sorkin found his fourth foul just five minutes into the second half. Key minutes went to Abu Kigab and Keith Smith as the Ducks Offense remained consistent to hold a 55-33 lead with 11:23 left in the game
After back to back three pointers by Coppin State to pull within 14, Payton Pritchard hit a two-point shot with 5:45 left. The Ducks were shooting 40 percent in the second half. Oregon was 24 for 54 from the field. Coppin State pulled back within 14 with 5:06 left and the Eagles forced an Oregon turnover. The Ducks got the ball back and Pritchard hit a needed jump shot.
Coppin State was able to pull within 10 with 2:40 left in the game forcing Dana Altman to call a timeout. The Eagles became three-point shooting masters after missing them most of the game.
In the end, the Oregon Offense came away with a win. While the Ducks found efficiency with 15 assists against Coppin State, the Defense needed work. Oregon had 12 turnovers, but also put rebounded the Eagles XX to XX and had 3 steals.
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There are three games left before the Phil Knight Invitational and the biggest early test of the season vs Georgetown. Oregon faces Prarie View A&M Monday night at 6 pm Pacific Time on Pac-12 Networks.