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Oregon Basketball: Ducks Hit The Road, Face Fresno State

By Justin Phillips

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Fresno State Bulldogs cheerleaders perform duirng the team's game against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Fresno State Bulldogs cheerleaders perform duirng the team's game against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas /
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The Oregon Basketball team faces a road test against Fresno State on a busy Saturday for Oregon Athletics.

Oregon Basketball put together their most complete game of the season against Portland State on Wednesday night. Troy Brown had his third straight double-double and Kenny Wooten stepped in off the bench and put on a Jordan Bell-like show. Oregon now takes the show on the road.

The game with Fresno State will be the Oregon Ducks first true road test of the season. Head Coach Dana Altman knows his players can score and over the last two weeks Defensive Fundamentals have been key. Oregon has played with better ball movement, but bad fouls still need to be addressed.

Youth is served with the Oregon Ducks this season, led by Freshman Troy Brown Jr. The NBA Talent has played a key role this season. Payton Pritchard has shown he can play inside or out and has found inside shots the last two games. Altman has watched Oregon win four straight games on short rest, which will be pivotal in an NCAA Tournament setting in March.

Let’s back up though.

Oregon is less than two weeks from the start of Pac-12 Play and I don’t have to tell you how out of wack the Conference seems right now. Arizona with three losses? Arizona State Undefeated? Oregon has the second-highest scoring Offense in the League putting up over 86 points per game.

Fresno State has won seven straight games averaging just over 80 points per contest. The Bulldogs have five players averaging in double figures the first month and a half of the season. Bryson Williams is the player to watch. Williams is averaging close to a double-double per game with 12 points and 8 rebounds. He is also hitting 50 percent from three-point range.

The Oregon Ducks will need to stay out of early foul trouble and get back on Defense. Early fouls could play a big role in the outcome vs Fresno State. The Bulldogs will work the low post for points and the Ducks will have to be prepared. Payton Pritchard and Elijah Brown can set an early tempo for Oregon.

Next: Oregon Football Recruiting: Future Wide Receivers?

The Oregon Ducks and Fresno State Bulldogs tipoff at 3 pm Pacific Time on CBS Sports Network.

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