Fresh off of a rousing victory over Southeast Missouri State on Sunday, the Oregon men’s basketball team (2-1)@@http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2483/oregon-ducks@@ returns to action tonight against Nebraska (3-0)@@http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/158/nebraska-cornhuskers@@ at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Neb. Whereas the Ducks cruised to a win over the Redhawks three days ago, Nebraska will provide an entirely different challenge.
“We know Nebraska will be very tough,” head coach Dana Altman said. “Nebraska is a veteran squad and one that went to the (National Invitation Tournament) last year and got almost everybody back, and they have NCAA aspirations. We’re going to have to play really well.”
There was plenty to be encouraged about in Sunday’s showing. After turning the ball over 41 times@@verified according to ESPN@@ in their first two regular season games alone, the Ducks committed just eight giveaways against Southeast Missouri State, while baiting the opposition into 19. Altman’s teams, in particular, feed off this opportunistic attitude, and it will have to carry over if Oregon is to have success against the Cornhuskers.
“We’ll show (our players) some of the good things that we did (against Southeast Missouri State),” Altman said. “Because we did some better things, especially on the defensive end. And hopefully that will be a learning experience for us.”
Freshman guard Jabari Brown will be absent once again as he makes a decision about his future with the Ducks. Though it was announced that he left the team over the weekend, Altman left the door open for him to return after Thanksgiving break. For at least one more game, though, the Ducks will play without the young guard.
Center Tony Woods was also announced as doubtful for the Nebraska game after injuring his ankle on Sunday,@@http://www.addictedtoquack.com/2011/11/20/2577095/ducks-dominant-on-both-ends-of-the-floor-blow-out-se-missouri-state@@ but Oregon should be at full strength otherwise.
Nebraska comes into the matchup fresh off an 83-63 victory over Rhode Island on Sunday. The Cornhuskers shot a blazing 57.1 percent from the floor, making ten three-pointers while holding Rhode Island to 37.7 percent shooting. Senior guard Bo Spencer led the way with 23 points, while fellow guards Caleb Walker and Dylan Talley chipped in with 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Nebraska’s undefeated start also includes a double overtime 64-61 victory over USC and a breezy 65-48 win over South Dakota. Oregon should present one of the toughest challenges yet to the Cornhuskers, especially if the defensive activity is up to par.
“If we cut down turnovers and play great defense and play with confidence,” senior forward Jeremy Jacob said, “we’ll be great.”
Oregon men’s basketball heads to Lincoln to face off with Nebraska
Daily Emerald
November 21, 2011
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