Aside from five minutes in the first-half, Oregon head coach Dana Altman had quite a bit to be pleased about as Oregon men’s basketball (1-0) started its season with an emphatic 82-71 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs (0-1) in Las Vegas.
The Ducks’ size advantage was apparent early and often. Oregon’s two seven-footers, N’Faly Dante and Nate Bittle, showcased their length early as the Ducks took an early 11-1 lead. The Bulldogs would cut the Oregon lead to three. However, a Ducks’ run followed as Oregon would tally the game’s next eleven points.
Dante –a preseason All-Pac-12 nominee– was clearly the best player on the court tallying 16 points in limited minutes.
Oregon controlled the game early. At the ten-minute mark in the first half, the Ducks led by 15 and the Bulldogs had just three field goals. However, the ensuing five minutes were not the finest display from Oregon.
Following the Ducks’ Strong opening, Altman’s squad rebuked with a display of sloppiness and errant passing. After going down 17 points in the first half, Georgia– led by freshman Blue Cain– cut the lead to just four.
The Ducks’ response, however, was promising. Following a series of Altman timeouts, the Ducks extended their lead and led the Bulldogs by 10 going into the break.
Oregon’s height advantage was once again apparent, the Ducks’ seven-footers, Bittle and Dante, both recorded double-doubles. Oregon outrebounded Georgia 63-41 as Dante set a new school record with 21 rebounds.
The Bulldogs’ top scorers were limited throughout, and Georgia struggled to penetrate the Ducks’ interior defense, which was particularly stout.
Junior Brennan Rigsby added 16 points of his own, including an emphatic slam dunk which sparked a 9-0 Ducks’ run.
Georgia had little response as new Duck and former Bulldog Kario Oquendo connected with a 3-pointer which pushed the Ducks’ lead to 20 with less than ten minutes remaining.
Despite injury-led absences from true freshmen Jackson Shelstad and Mookie Cook, Oregon’s depth scoring was a strength as four players finished in double-figures. Lanky true-freshman Kwame Evans Jr. played well in his first collegiate game showcasing staunch perimeter defense
Oregon’s defense struggled late. However, the Ducks held on to win in fairly commanding fashion.
In what is largely regarded as a “prove it” year for Dana Altman’s squad, the Ducks’ first showing was a success. Oregon will look to continue its strong play as the Ducks host Montana on Friday, Nov. 10. at Matthew Knight Arena.
