On Friday night, the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team defeated the Montana Grizzlies 79-48. 

Oregon is at its best when dominating the paint. Friday's leading scorer Nate Bittle can really do it all. The seven-foot senior center was just absolutely unstoppable against Montana. He was not only a force inside but also knocked down three of the Ducks’ eight baskets from downtown in the game. Bittle led the game in scoring with 17 points on 6-for-12 from the field and 3-for-5 from behind the arc.

Bittle has been unguardable in the paint in both games for the Ducks. Without Bittle, Oregon would not score in the paint as much as they do now. On top of Bittle’s effectiveness inside, his 3-point shot has improved over the years with his sophomore season being the best at 34 percent. 

After not making a 3-pointer in the first game against UC Riverside, Bittle made three out of five attempts on Friday night versus Montana in the blowout win. He is starting to get back in the groove with his 3-point shooting after missing half of last season with an illness. Bittle being able to spread the floor with his 3-point shooting makes the Ducks hard to guard. 

After the game, head coach Dana Altman spoke about Bittle’s performance. “He has been solid, almost another double-double,” Altman said. “He was knocking his shots down and scoring inside. It is a different look for us when he can pop out and hit 3’s.” 

Sophomore center Kwame Evans Jr. spoke about the activity on the defensive end by the bigs. “Starting the game, we talked about getting deflections and protecting the paint throughout the whole game,” Evans said. 

Evans also spoke about playing alongside Bittle. “Right now he is playing to the best of his ability, just altering shots and making it hard for players to even get into the paint, making it easier for me on that end.” 

Thanks to Bittle’s activity on both ends of the floor, the Ducks outscored the Grizzlies 34-24 in the paint. On top of Bittle’s effectiveness on the defensive end, his hook shot has been unguardable in the first two games of the season. 

Bittle is not only a key part of this team on the offensive end of the floor, he is also a demon on the defensive end. In Friday night’s game against the Grizzlies, Bittle finished with nine rebounds, and as Evans said, he also altered a lot of Montana’s shots.

Bittle has always been a good defender. He has to prove that he can be the best defender on the floor, especially this year without N’Faly Dante. In the first two games, Bittle is averaging 16 pts, 11 rebounds and two blocks. 

The Ducks improve to 2-0 to begin the season. Bittle and the Ducks will have three days off before another home matchup against the Portland Pilots on Tuesday night at 8 p.m.