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Phil Knight Invitational: Oregon Ducks Prepare For Trae Young, Oklahoma Sooners

By Justin Phillips

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 23: A general view of a rack of basketballs before the game between the Portland Pilots and the North Carolina Tar Heels during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 23, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 23: A general view of a rack of basketballs before the game between the Portland Pilots and the North Carolina Tar Heels during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 23, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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The Oregon Ducks(5-1) face Oklahoma(3-1) in the Phil Knight Invitational.

Lon Kruger and Dana Altman have been friends for a long time. The last time they met officially on the court was two years ago in the NCAA Tournament. Both teams scrimmaged in Las Vegas a year ago in a closed scrimmage before the season began. They will meet Sunday to close out the PK80 experience for both teams respectively.

While the Oregon Ducks struggled against UConn finding early foul trouble on Thursday. Friday brought a better outcome with an overtime win against DePaul led by Payton Pritchard and 29 points. The Ducks finished the game with 17 assists as Oregon shot 45 percent from the floor to win 89-79. There will be challenges this season and another one comes on Sunday.

The Oklahoma Sooners know how to win early-season tournament games and have a Freshman leading the team early in scoring. Trae Young will be one to watch. He has 61 points through two games in the PK80, most for any player in the Tournament. He posted 33 points against Portland and has two double-doubles in two of his first four games this season. Young has also posted double digits in scoring in two games.

Dana Altman watched his team struggle early in the Phil Knight Invitational, but the pieces for a solid season are definitely there. The defense has been a big focus early and will be the key to the game Sunday for Oregon. Troy Brown is set for a breakout game and Payton Pritchard has the hot hand. Elijah Brown is out of his early-season slump and has found three-point range once again.

Next: Oregon Football: Ducks Set Tone, Roll Past Oregon State

The Oregon Ducks and Oklahoma Sooners tipoff at 10 am Pacific Time on ESPN2 from Portland, Oregon.

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