The Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team finds itself in the unenviable position of needing a significant showing in Las Vegas at the Pac-12 Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament. After finishing as the fourth ranked team in the Pac-12, the Ducks have received the benefit of holding a bye in the first round, meaning they will not be in action until Thursday, March 14, the second day of the Pac-12 Tournament.
The path for Oregon to make a run in the tournament is a perilous one. The Ducks will face the No. 5 seeded UCLA Bruins in the second round of the tournament with a spot in the semifinals hanging in the balance. UCLA will be just one day removed from its 67-57 win over the No. 12 seeded Oregon State Beavers.
For the Ducks, this first game will have to be just the first step in a deep Pac-12 Tournament run if they have any hopes of making a last-second push for the NCAA Tournament. After a somewhat underwhelming conference record, Oregon has found itself on the outside of the field looking in.
Of course, winning the whole tournament guarantees the Ducks a spot in the tournament. However, there may be some hope even if Oregon comes up short. Beating the Bruins is a must, so is beating the No. 6 (No. 1 in the tournament) Arizona Wildcats. Arizona will match up against the USC Trojans just before the Ducks play UCLA on Thursday.
If Arizona falls in a shocking upset, the strength of wins the Ducks could accrue without winning the Pac-12 Tournament would likely not be enough. However, a win over the No. 6 team in the country might just be the statement win Oregon has been searching for all season.
Beating the Wildcats will give the Ducks’ resume a significant boost in the eyes of the NCAA Selection Committee. A strong showing in the Pac-12 Championship, even in a loss, might be just enough to push Oregon over the hump.
This path toward what could be the Ducks’ first March Madness appearance since 2021 starts tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. against the Bruins. An early exit means no shot for Oregon to sneak into the final field for the NCAA Tournament. However, it is March. Crazier things have happened during the month, and there is no shortage of underdog success stories at this point in the season.
The Ducks do not have an easy path to keep their chances alive. But an extra day of rest, scouting and game-planning have the potential to give Oregon an edge in the opening game of its Pac-12 Tournament.
