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3 rapid reactions from Oregon basketball's blowout win over Montana

Put another one in the win column.

By Connor Muldowney

Oregon center Nate Bittle puts up a shot for three as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana Grizzlies at Matthew Knight Arena Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 in Eugene, Ore.
Oregon center Nate Bittle puts up a shot for three as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana Grizzlies at Matthew Knight Arena Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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After beating UC Riverside in a somewhat-closer-than-expected game earlier in the week, Oregon basketball hosted Montana on Friday night and really took it to the Grizzlies on both ends of the floor for 40 minutes.

Oregon looked like a team that could legitimately contend in the Big Ten and make it back to the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year, beating the Grizzlies 79-48.

Not only did Oregon cover the spread by almost double, but it also held Montana to just 48 points and 34 percent shooting from the floor. This was a great game for the Ducks as they prepare for an upcoming stretch that includes Oregon State, Texas A&M, San Diego State, USC, and UCLA. Things aren't going to get much easier over the next month so winning these games while gaining confidence is important.

Here are my reactions from Friday night's blowout win.

1. If this team finds a consistent stroke from deep, watch out

Oregon is averaging 85 points per game through two games to start the season and that's without the Ducks truly finding their stroke from long distance.

That just means that when this team figures it out consistently from deep, it's going to be dangerous.

The Ducks did take a step in the right direction on Friday night, making 36 percent of their 3-point attempts compared to just 32 percent on Monday. If the Ducks can shoot somewhere closer to where they did on Friday, they're going to be one of the more dangerous offensive teams in the Big Ten.

2. Nate Bittle is becoming this year's star

Oregon has a different star player seemingly every season and Nate Bittle looks like the guy who's going to lead this year's team to an NCAA Tournament run and through the grueling Big Ten.

After putting up a double-double in the opener, Bittle followed that up with 17 points, nine rebounds, and a block in 26 minutes against Montana. He was the team's leading scorer and he doesn't just patrol the paint on both ends, but he stretches the floor and he drilled three 3-pointers on five attempts. He's going to be fun to watch this season.

3. We're still waiting on Jackson Shelstad

Coming into the season, a lot of people expected Jackson Shelstad to take that next step and become a true star for the Ducks. I mean, he did average 12.8 points and shot 45 percent from the floor as a freshman so his ceiling felt incredibly high.

But through two games, he's been underwhelming.

In fact, Shelstad scored just nine points with three assists and a rebound in the opener and then scored just seven with four assists and four rebounds against Montana. Everyone expected a jump in numbers, but he's been nearly non-existent through the first two games.

Let's hope that changes with the upcoming schedule that the Ducks have.

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