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Oregon Basketball: Ducks Show Arizona State The Door At Pac-12 Tournament

By Justin Phillips

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 11: Eugene Omoruyi #2 and LJ Figueroa #12 of the Oregon Ducks react after Figueroa scored against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Sun Devils 91-73. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 11: Eugene Omoruyi #2 and LJ Figueroa #12 of the Oregon Ducks react after Figueroa scored against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Sun Devils 91-73. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Dana Altman had Oregon Basketball ready against Arizona State on the second day of the Pac-12 Tournament. It was a 91-73 win for Oregon as they move to the next round on Friday.

Oregon Basketball is finding a rhythm at the right time, which under Altman does not surprise me – at least not anymore. The leading scorer, LG Figueroa finished with 21 points off 9 of 16 shooting. He also had a monster one-handed slam dunk that is worthy of the Sportscenter Top 10.  The Ducks were ready for the Sundevils on Thursday.

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They were also full strength, which at times and with the pandemic has not been the case for the full 2020-21 season. Will Richardson was a big difference-maker with 17 points. Figueroa had 7 of his 14 points in the second half. Oregon was on fire for the entire game.

Oregon shot 65 percent from the floor and 10 of 18 from three-point range at batter than 50 percent. The Ducks finished with just 10 turnovers and had 33 bench points led by Amauri Hardy with 11 points. He was 5 for 7 from the floor and entered the game as the Ducks had it well in hand. He easily found his shot as there was no pressure. His minutes now could pay big dividends later in the games ahead.

Altman has the Ducks poised to enter the NCAA Tournament on a run…again. Right now, it appears Oregon could be as high as a 5 seed. The tough part is the Pac-12 has no respect this season. The top seed in the Pac-12 Tournament entered the conference tournament unranked.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: LJ Figueroa #12 of the Oregon Ducks dunks against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Sun Devils 91-73. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: LJ Figueroa #12 of the Oregon Ducks dunks against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Sun Devils 91-73. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

I feel with just 5 losses, the Ducks should at least be in the top 25 if not the top 20 teams in the country. If Oregon wins their next two games, that narrative should change. It may also give Oregon some key quadrant wins for the NCAA Tournament.

Oregon Basketball will face Oregon State on Friday at 5:30 pm Pacific Time on Pac-12 Network.

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