Autzen Zoo
Fansided

Oregon Basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. VCU in first-round battle

By Connor Muldowney

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: LJ Figueroa #12, Eugene Omoruyi #2, Jalen Terry #3 , LJ Figueroa #12 and Chris Duarte #5 of the Oregon Ducks while playing the USC Trojans at Galen Center on February 22, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: LJ Figueroa #12, Eugene Omoruyi #2, Jalen Terry #3 , LJ Figueroa #12 and Chris Duarte #5 of the Oregon Ducks while playing the USC Trojans at Galen Center on February 22, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

Oregon basketball is gearing up for a big matchup with 10th-seeded VCU on Saturday night in Indiana. Will the Ducks survive and advance?

Dana Altman has never lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as Oregon’s head coach. That’s actually kind of a wild stat considering he doesn’t get the attention he deserves nationally, but he’s made six NCAA Tournaments as the Ducks’ coach — with 2020-21 being the seventh — and he’s 6-0 in first-round games.

Oregon fans are hoping that number turns into 7-0 on Saturday night after the Ducks got matched up with 10th-seeded VCU.

The Ducks lost in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinal to Oregon State (who is currently red-hot) while VCU lost in the Atlantic 10 title game against St. Bonaventure (also red-hot).

Will the Ducks pull off yet another first-round victory under Altman?

3. Eugene Omoruyi, Chris Duarte each score 20

The first time Eugene Omoruyi and Chris Duarte scored 20-plus points in the same game this season, the Ducks were shocked by Missouri to start the year. They didn’t accomplish that feat again until March 1 against Arizona and the Ducks cruised to a victory over the Wildcats.

A 1-1 record when both score at least 20 isn’t exactly a telling stat but it can’t hurt when your two best players are on their game. It’s bad when no one else is.

This prediction isn’t about anyone else, though. Duarte and Omoruyi will each score 20-plus points for the third time this season. Duarte will finish with 24, six assists and five rebounds while Omoruyi will add 21, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.

It’ll be a really good game for both guys, but will it be enough to topple the Rams?

Home/Oregon Ducks Basketball