NIT: Oregon Ducks Host High Scoring Rider Broncs For First Round

The Oregon Ducks(22-12) will face Rider(22-9) in the first round of the NIT on Tuesday Night.

Aside from the game on the court, fans will also be watching some new rules put in place for the games of the 2017 National Invitational Tournament. Both Oregon and Rider come into the game with 22 wins. The Ducks struggled in the Pac-12 Tournament.

Their first halfs were particularly bad averaging 30 percent or less from the floor. Despite the struggles, Oregon picked up two wins in Las Vegas. It earned them a 3 seed in the NIT and the opportunity to host. Rider has to travel across the country from Lawrenceville, New Jersey.

The Broncs enter the game averaging over 80 points per game this season including in Conference winning the MAAC. Last season, the Oregon Ducks faced another MAAC team in Iona. Rider comes in as an athletic team and with less than 48 hours to scout, could be an issue for the Oregon Coaching Staff. Of course, it works the other way as well.

Rider is 8-7 on the road and with Oregon hosting the Women’s NCAA Tournament later this week the game may have been pushed a day. The Broncs are up for the challenge. They come to Eugene with five players scoring in double figures led by Dimencio Vaughn. Vaughn is averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Vaughn along with Stevie Jordan have over 100 steals on the season and Jordan leads the team with a season-high 176 assists.

Oregon will have to continue the Pac-12 Tournament formula finding points from Elijah Brown and MiKyle McIntosh. The 3-point line is reset to the International Standard which will make for an interesting approach for both teams.

Next: NIT Will Use Experimental Rules

The Oregon Ducks and Rider Broncs tipoff on Tuesday at 7 pm Pacific Time from Matthew Knight Arena. The game will also be on ESPN3.