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Oregon Basketball: Ducks Will Have Francis Okoro vs Colorado

By Justin Phillips

PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: Alex Lomax #2 of the Memphis Tigers drives to the basket on Francis Okoro #33 of the Oregon Ducks during the first half of the game at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: Alex Lomax #2 of the Memphis Tigers drives to the basket on Francis Okoro #33 of the Oregon Ducks during the first half of the game at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Oregon Basketball will play their biggest game of the year on Thursday night vs Colorado. The Ducks will get back Francis Okoro who will help the offense and the defense.

After the loss to Oregon State last week, it was clear to see that some of the physicality was not there. Long-range shots were not falling, especially in the second half of the 63-53 loss to the Beavers. Payton Pritchard and Chris Duarte did their best, but in the end, the Ducks lost their shot in the second half after taking a halftime lead falling by ten points. The outcome cannot be the same on Thursday.

Colorado comes to Eugene ranked ahead of the Ducks in both the polls and the Pac-12 rankings. The Buffaloes have a one-game lead in the conference standings. Colorado comes in on a three-game winning streak while the Ducks are looking to snap a two-game losing skid. They are averaging 73 points and 37 rebounds per game. Evan Battey is hitting close to 55 percent from the floor.

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For the Oregon Ducks, home is the best place to be. The team is undefeated at home this season and had the advantage of playing five of their last 7 games this season at Matthew Knight Arena.

As it has been all season, everything runs through Payton Pritchard. He has been the team’s leading scorer this season. Chris Duarte has stepped into the role comfortably over the last month of being a finisher. That will need to continue this weekend. The Ducks are putting up 75 points per game this season.

With Okoro back in the lineup, it should open up the inside somewhat and allow an outlet, if needed. Anthony Mathis could step back into the role of three-point specialist as he did earlier this season. He has been quiet of late averaging less than six points per game. The Oregon Freshman will also need to have a big game vs Colorado.

Oregon and Colorado tipoff Thursday night at 6 pm from Matthew Knight Arena on ESPN.

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