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Oregon Basketball: 3 potential first-round matchups in 2021 NCAA Tournament

By Connor Muldowney

CORVALLIS, OREGON - MARCH 07: Will Richardson #0 talks with LJ Figueroa #12 of the Oregon Ducks as they enter the game during the first half against the Oregon State Beavers at Gill Coliseum on March 07, 2021 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OREGON - MARCH 07: Will Richardson #0 talks with LJ Figueroa #12 of the Oregon Ducks as they enter the game during the first half against the Oregon State Beavers at Gill Coliseum on March 07, 2021 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /
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Oregon basketball gets a two-day break before Selection Sunday after an unfortunate Oregon State loss. Who could the Ducks see in round one?

Dana Altman and Co. are going to get an entire week off before the NCAA Tournament after losing to Oregon State on Friday night in shocking fashion.

Rest is a big thing heading into the NCAA Tournament, but the Ducks have to hope that doesn’t turn into rust. Once an extended rest turns into rust, that’s when problems arise.

With the loss on Friday night, Oregon is likely looking at a No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament with some projections even listing the Ducks as a No. 8 seed (not likely, in my opinion). At 20-6, Oregon deserves some respect and a good matchup in round one.

Who could the Ducks see in the first round after Selection Sunday?

3. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

In the most unlikely, in my opinion, but most up to date bracket projected by Bleacher Report, Oregon would receive a No. 8 seed and receive a matchup with No. 9 seed Rutgers.

In this scenario, Oregon falling to a No. 8 seed seems highly unlikely, especially since the Ducks were considered a No. 6 seed as early as Friday morning. Dropping two seed lines just because of a loss to an Oregon State team with a 15-12 record doesn’t seem all that realistic. It’s possible, but I’d be shocked if Oregon dropped all the way to No. 8.

Either way, Rutgers could still be a matchup because the Scarlet Knights could very well earn a 10 seed and face off against No. 7 seeded Oregon.

The Scarlet Knights were much better earlier in the season. They started the year 7-1 and were in the AP Top 25, but they then lost five straight games. Rutgers followed that up with five wins in six games before losing 3-of-4 again. They’ve had quite the up-and-down season since that hot start.

Rutgers was just dismantled by Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal which leads me to believe it will likely earn a 10 seed.

Honestly, this could be a good matchup for Oregon and an intriguing battle for Eugene Omoruyi who transferred from Rutgers. The Ducks would have a serious advantage here.

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