The Oregon Ducks had been on a hot streak in Big Ten play with four consecutive conference wins to their name. However, a two-game losing streak slowed all of the momentum the Oregon women's basketball team had garnered and now, the Ducks have a grueling schedule ahead of them.
Oregon played the unranked Michigan Wolverines on the road and were demolished by the long-standing Big Ten program in the 80-48 loss. Then, the Ducks had to host the No. 16 Maryland Terrapins and, once again, suffered a double-digit loss when the Top 25 team defeated them 79-61 on Thursday.
Final. pic.twitter.com/EaGCyf1NkI
— Oregon Women’s Basketball (@OregonWBB) February 7, 2025
While the Ducks were never projected to come out at the top of the Big Ten standings, hope had built around the Oregon program after the women had defeated the then-No. 9 Baylor Bears in non-conference play and later built a 7-3 conference record.
However, the two losses in a row by 18 points or more have fans hesitant to voice their confidence in the team yet again.
The worst news? Oregon's schedule doesn't get any easier from here. The Big Ten is filled to the brim with top-tier programs, including the No. 1 team in the nation, the UCLA Bruins, who the Ducks have to face next.
Luckily, after that, the Ducks won't have to face any more teams that are currently ranked within the Top 25 but with just six conference games remaining on their schedule, Oregon is running out of time to produce a tournament-worthy resume.
The Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament will be held over March 5-9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the home of the Indiana Pacers. Currently, the Ducks are sitting at No. 8 in the conference standings.