Poor Shooting Likely Sends Ducks to NIT
ESPN’s college basketball analyst Joe Lunardi predicted that before Oregon’s quarterfinals - with Colorado on Thursday night that the Ducks were on the NCAA tournament bubble. Pop.
After finishing the season winners of 11 of their last 14 entering Thursday night’s matchup with the Oregon Ducks (22-9) appear to be NIT-bound at the moment with a 63-62 heart breaker against the Colorado Buffaloes (21-11).
The Ducks failed to capitalize on opportunities and lost by the same margin as their halftime deficit.
Joseph had a chance to win it with an 18-footer from the far side corner and it fell short.
Love ‘Em
Poise
Living up to the “Fighting Ducks” moniker on their lightning yellow jerseys, the Ducks fought off runs when Colorado tried to push a second-half lead into double digits. Regardless of where the Ducks end up for the post-season, Oregon fans cannot question whether Oregon came to play.
Tony Woods
The junior center entered the game averaging only six points per game. The Wake Forest transfer surpassed it in the first half alone. Woods asserted himself early, scoring eight points on 4-for-6 shooting in the first 15 minutes.
The center continued to his aggressiveness and finished the game with a career high 14 points.
Offensive Rebounding
As I mentioned in my Ducks Pac-12 tournament preview, the offensive glass would be paramount to Oregon’s success in the tournament if their shooting went awry. In the first half, the Ducks shot 4-15 from behind the arc (26 percent).
Senior Olu Ashaolu‘sfive offensive rebounds in the first half created second chances and allowed the Ducks to stay with one point at the half.
Ashaolu's rebounds in the first half created chances. - (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Oregon out-rebounded Colorado on the offensive end 15-4 and 38-25 overall.
Hate ‘Em
Oregon First Half Defense
The Buffaloes shot 52 percent (15-29) in the first half, but should have shot about 65 percent if it wasn’t for lapses in shot selection.
The Ducks tightened the reins some in the second half as Colorado finished.
Devoe Joseph’s Shot Selection
Every player is entitled to a bad shooting night, the great ones are no different.
I loved Devoe Joseph‘s aggressiveness in the second half of the game, despite his horrid 6-26 (included is 0-7 from behind the arc) shooting performance. It was apparent that the senior transfer from Monnesota forced up shots instead of attempting to facilitate and move without the ball.
No qualms with the last shot though, all you can ask for is a good luck and Joseph had it.
While the Ducks wait until Sunday to learn their postseason fate, Colorado will face the California Golden Bears (24-8) in the semifinals of the Pac-12 tournament at 8:30 on Friday night.
About Blair Thomas
