Oregon Basketball: 3 bold predictions for second-round battle vs. Iowa

Oregon basketball is getting ready to play its first 2021 NCAA Tournament game against Iowa. Will the Ducks pull off yet another Pac-12 upset?

Another year, another second-round appearance for Dana Altman and Oregon. The Ducks have never lost in the first round under Altman but advancing this year wasn’t quite the same because VCU was forced to forfeit due to positive COVID-19 tests.

The Ducks are now set to take on No. 2 Iowa in the second round in what should be one of the best games of the round of 32.

Oregon actually matches up fairly well with the Hawkeyes because neither team has a ton of size and both can shoot the ball well from deep. Defense is going to have to win the day here, but if Oregon can’t get stops, it may be a long trip back home for a short tourney appearance.

Will the Ducks pull off the big upset?

3. Oregon shoots a better percentage from 3-point range

You might look at the shooting percentages of Iowa and Oregon and think that this isn’t that bold of a prediction, but the Hawkeyes can get as hot as any team in the country from deep.

The Hawkeyes buried Grand Canyon in the first round because of a 3-point barrage and they can catch fire at any time. Oregon’s defense, though, will force the Hawkeyes into some bad looks and make Luka Garza do most of the work in the post.

Oregon has the ability to catch fire as well and guys like Will Richardson, Chris Duarte, Eugene Omoruyi and LG Figueroa will lead the offense, hitting at least 10 threes and making over 45 percent of their shots from deep. That will top what Iowa does from long-range and usually when the Hawkeyes are getting outdone from long-range, the they’re in trouble.

Unlike the last game against Oregon State, Oregon will be feeling it early and that’ll lead to a huge offensive game against a mediocre Iowa defense.

Iowa, on the other hand, will shoot less than 40 percent from deep.