Oregon Ducks Hit The Road, Face Struggling Colorado

Kelly Graves and the Oregon Ducks look to continue strong play down the stretch visiting Colorado on Friday night.

The Oregon Ducks hit the road this week and lead the Pac-12 Conference with a 7-1 mark. This weekend, Oregon travels to Colorado and Utah. The Buffs are up first and took care of business in Boulder last season beating the Ducks. This season, Oregon hits the road without a key three-point threat in Lexi Bando who will not play this weekend.

Without Bando, Oregon has used Mallory McGwire who played well on Sunday against Oregon State, hitting key two-point baskets from inside the key helping the Ducks build and maintain their lead resulting in a key Pac-12 win over the Beavers. This it the formula that will also continue this weekend.

"I think our kids have been able to compartmentalize one game at a time. That’s the key. I think in an 18 game league schedule that’s the way you have to look at it. Fridays the only thing we’ve got going right now.Head Coach Kelly Graves on Weekend Preparation for Colorado and Utah"

The Oregon Ducks are averaging 84 points per game and also hitting close to 50 percent from the floor this season. The Colorado Buffaloes beat Oregon last season. Kelly Graves has Oregon at the top of the Pac-12 Standings with six games to go in the regular season, four of them on the road. The mentality of the team will shift somewhat without Bando in the lineup this weekend, but the core remains the same, taking it one game at a time and not getting caught looking ahead.

The loss of Bando will open up the floor for McGwire, but likely for two-point shots rather than three-pointers.

Kennedy Leonard and Alexis Robinson lead Colorado in points per game this season and have the ability to keep the game close against Oregon. The Buffs have lost four straight Pac-12 games entering the game vs Oregon.

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The Oregon Ducks and Colorado Buffaloes tip off at 7 pm Pacific Time on Pac-12 Network.

Quotes obtained firsthand at Oregon Basketball Practice