A sloppy first half in a near-empty building, but the Ducks show promise

At 11:59 with the Ducks struggling to find a shot against a hustling Stanford defense, Wei Lin penetrated into the paint and dished to Nate Bittle under the basket for a layup and an And-1.

Bittle made the free throw for a 21-14 lead. Two possessions later Lin found him again for a three to make it 24-14.

The two plays showed how Lin's flair and ball-handling might ignite the offense for the Ducks, especially when shooting guard Jackson Shelstad returns to the lineup.

The Ducks went cold for a stretch, with Stanford going on a 11-0 run to take a 25-24 lead. Oregon kept settling for long twos and off-balance threes, unable to score for nearly five minutes.

Takai Simpkins finally broke the drought with a pair of free throws, Ducks back in front 26-25 at the five minute mark despite 10 turnovers. An early exhibition game in an empty building, coupled with a team that hasn't played together much, still working out their ball movement, learning to anticipate each other's passes.

Sean Stewart got them another lead with a strong drive to the hoop and another And-1 opportunity, free throw good after a time out to make it 29-27.

An athletic tip-in by Bittle made it 32-29 with 1:30 to go in the half. Stanford tied it with a three by Ebuka Orkorie, who made it 34-32 Cardinal at the half.

The Ducks were lucky to be that close. The turnover count reach 13 by the break, so many possessions wasted by errant passes over stepping on the sideline, even just losing the ball on a dribble. That's stuff a team can work out.

As this team learns to settle down at run Altman's offense, plus getting back Shelstad as a floor leader, it will quickly come together.