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Phil Knight Invitational: Oregon Ducks Face Early Test vs Connecticut

By Justin Phillips

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Dana Altman of the Oregon Ducks and assistant coach Tony Stubblefield look on from the sidelines in the second half of the game against the Valparaiso Crusaders at Matthew Knight Arena on November 17, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 76-54. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Dana Altman of the Oregon Ducks and assistant coach Tony Stubblefield look on from the sidelines in the second half of the game against the Valparaiso Crusaders at Matthew Knight Arena on November 17, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 76-54. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Oregon Ducks meet Connecticut with a revamped lineup in the Phil Knight Invitational

The Oregon Men’s Basketball team is taking part in the inaugural Phil Knight Invitational celebrating the Founder of NIKE with a Weekend of the Best College Basketball outside of the NCAA Tournament. The Oregon Ducks are among the teams participating. Three of last season’s Final Four teams are playing in Portland this weekend, including North Carolina, who beat Oregon in the Final Four. The Ducks and Tar Heels will likely not see each other at the Moda Center however.

The first round matchup that Oregon will contend with is Connecticut. Last season the Huskies lost to Oregon in Hawaii. The Ducks had a Final Four squad. Dillon Brooks returned with 18 points. This season, Brooks along with other key members of last year’s team are in the NBA and Head Coach Dana Altman has assembled a new team built on speed and athleticism.

On the season so far, Oregon is 4-0 and is starting to show very positive signs. Troy Brown is showing his 5-Star Talent on the court. Kenny Wooten is becoming a key player for the Oregon Defense and Payton Pritchard recently had the first 20 point game of his career. The Phil Knight Invitational will have challenges, including a potential second-round matchup with Michigan State, but first Oregon has to get past Connecticut.

According to Ken Pomeroy, UConn is ranked 65th to Oregon slotted 31st in his latest rankings. The Oregon Ducks have yet to be in the National Rankings this season and that could change Monday with a decent showing in the Phil Knight Invitational.

Since the start of the season, both Connecticut and Oregon have faced sub-par competition. The Huskies are 3-0 and are averaging 75 points per game hitting just under 45 percent from the floor. On the other side, Oregon is pushing close to 95 points per game hitting just over 50 percent. UConn will have a big challenge for the Oregon Ducks playing inside on Thursday night.

Connecticut has four players averaging double figures led by Terry Larrier putting up 16 points per game. Jalen Adams, Christian Vital and Antwoine Anderson are hitting over 40 percent from the floor. Larrier is hitting 56 percent from the field.

For Dana Altman and the Oregon Ducks, chemistry is still in the building process. With a talented and athletic squad and players that can play multiple positions on the floor, it is easy for Altman to plug and play for who has the hot hand. Elijah Brown is one to watch from beyond the arc and off the bench Kenny Wooten has length and athleticism. Victor Bailey Jr will also get his minutes on Thursday night.

Next: Three Ducks Accept Invites To Senior Bowl

The Oregon Ducks and Connecticut Huskies tipoff in Portland at 6 pm Pacific time on ESPNU.

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