Oregon put away a stubborn and physical Indiana squad with some tough baskets and timely threes in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis Thursday morning, 72-59.
With Nate Bittle being bracketed and pushed on nearly every possession the Ducks used big games by Jackson Shelstad (18 points, 4-4 from the line and 6-13 from the floor), TJ Bamba (17 points, 6-9 from the floor), and 6-8 senior forward Brandon Angel (14 points on 6-8 shooting, 2-2 from three-point range.) Guard Keeshawn Barthelemy added nine points and five assists.
Bittle adjusted to the tight defensive strategy by contributing in other ways, chipping in with eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocked shots while being held, literally and figuratively, to seven points.
Barthelemy hit a dagger corner three to extend the Oregon lead to 68-58 with 1:04 to go. Both he and TJ Bamba hit difficult shots with the shot clock running down to extend the lead, an offensive habit the team can't continue if they want to make deep runs in March in Indiana and then the NCAA tournament.
With head coach Dana Altman providing the poise and instruction, the Ducks have now won eight in a row leading into the postseason.
Also read: The 'Ducks are starting to find their range' as the Big Ten Tournament unfolds
Next, the Ducks meet No. 7 Michigan State in a 9 a.m. PT game Friday morning on the Big Ten Network. An upset win over the Spartans could improve their seeding, although they are readily in the field at 24-8.