The 7-game streak helped Oregon land at No. 23 in the most recent AP poll. The team is extremely streaky. This streak is the team's second longest of the season, with the initial 8-0 jump out of the gate, propelling them to a No. 12 ranking.
Along with the big streaks, there have been downs to even out the year. Thankfully for the Ducks, momentum is at the right place at the right time.
The No. 23 ranking is the second individual time the Ducks have been ranked this season. It's also the first time Oregon has been ranked in over a month. They join Michigan State, Maryland, Wisconsin, Purdue, Michigan, and Illinois as the only Big Ten teams in the poll.
The recent success from the team can be directly accredited to the play of Nate Bittle. The senior center has put the team on his back as of late, leading the team in scoring in three of the last five games, including the incredible showing on Sunday.
In the overtime thriller, Bittle put the team on his back en route to his career-high 36-point night. Along with the scoring and improvement in rebounding, Bittle has been a menace on the defensive side. He's averaged 3.4 blocks a game over the 7-game winning streak and has earned a spot as a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award.
Postseason is next for the team as they look to keep the streak alive in their inaugural Big Ten Tournament. A rematch with recent foe Indiana is up next, with Michigan State lurking ahead.
"They are finding ways to win games," Dana Altman said after the Washington game. "It's going to take a tremendous effort trying to win four games. The only one that really matters right now is Indiana."
Oregon last played Indiana just six days ago in a 73-64 victory at home. The game will tip off at 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, March 13, at Gaibridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.