The Oregon Ducks (1-0) host the Rice Owls (1-0) on Friday, Nov. 7, for their second game of the season. After the Ducks pulled out a difficult win over Hawai'i, many of their weaknesses were exposed.
Too many turnovers and a lack of rebounding put the Ducks in a position they shouldn't have been in, but it was only the first game of many. While Jackson Shelstad is sidelined, the Ducks need to take the opportunity to find a groove in these early games, and it starts tomorrow vs Rice.
Will you be there?@OregonMBB is back tomorrow. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/LxbW45Alwr
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) November 3, 2025
Where to Watch
Date: Friday, Nov. 7, 2025
Time: 7 PM PST
Place: Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, Ore.
Broadcast: B1G+
Watch out for the Feisty Owls
The Owls are coming off an extremely dominant win over the College of Biblical Studies Ambassadors. Rice beat the brakes off the Ambassadors, winning by a score of 109-38. 6 owls scored double figures, as guard Jalen Smith led the way with 18 points. Preseason projections for Rice have them out of the tournament, but being a solid team in the American, per TeamRankings' bracketology.
Owls' guard Nick Anderson is going to have to be contained. Last season, Anderson averaged 18.9 PPG for Prairie View A&M, shooting 47.1 percent from the field.
Owls center Stephen Giwa grabbed 12 rebounds last game, so Oregon is going to have to fight for rebounds, especially Nate Bittle. The Owls should prove a tough test for the Ducks, and Oregon will have to play much better than they did against the Rainbow Warriors to best them.
A quick trip to the PNW 🔜✈️#GoOwls👐 pic.twitter.com/aTpmTOebaB
— Rice Men’s Basketball (@RiceMBB) November 5, 2025
The Ducks Need to Slow Down
The biggest thing the Ducks were missing was playmaking and ball handling. Wei Lin tried to fill a Shelstad-sized hole, and while extremely talented, he still needs time to develop. If the Ducks want to beat Rice, they need to take control of the game. Takai Simpkins will need to score at a high level again, and if his three-point shots start to fall, Oregon will be in a good place.
As long as the Ducks don't turn the ball over 21 times again, they should be fine. Slow down, make the right passes. Bittle and the other big men can't allow Rice to get offensive rebounds, or they may find themselves in a hole like they did against the Rainbow Warriors. The Ducks' keys to the game are not to end possessions prematurely and to secure as many possessions as they can.