MBB PREVIEW: Oregon Looks To Move To 2-0 As They Take On UC Irvine.

By Liam Baker

Eugene, OR —The #21 Oregon Ducks opened the season on Monday night with a dominant 80-45 win over the Florida A&M Rattlers, and they will look to build on that performance when they take on the UC Irvine Anteaters (1-0) on Friday night. The Ducks bullied the Rattlers in the paint, scoring 42 points and pulling down 44 rebounds. Senior N'Faly Dante led the Ducks in scoring, rebounds and steals, posting 16 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Despite controlling the paint against Florida A&M, Oregon struggled from behind the three-point line. Senior Will Richardson and Colorado transfer Keeshawn Barthelemy both went 2-8 from behind the line, and the team shot 24% from three. Freshman Kel'el Ware, a 2022 McDonald's All-American, contributed eight points and three blocks off the bench in his first game for the Ducks.

The Anteaters dispatched Chapman University 96-50 in their opener on Monday. Juniors Devin Tillis and Dawson Baker both contributed 14 points for the Anteaters. UC Irvine shot 54% from the field and 50% against Chapman, but shouldn't have similar offensive success against the Ducks who held Florida A&M to 37.5% from the field. While the Ducks possess lots of height down low in Dante (6'11'') and Ware (7'0''), the Anteaters have a seven-footer of their own in Bent Leuchten. Whichever team is able to control the boards will have the best chance of winning this game.

Projected Starting Lineup: Oregon Ducks

G Will Richardson
G Rivaldo Soares
G Keeshawn Barthelemy
F Quincy Guerrier
C N'Faly Dante

Projected Starting Lineup: UC Irvine Anteaters

G Pierre Crockrell II
G Dawson Baker
DJ Davis
F Devin Tillis
C Bent Leuchten

Keys to Victory

  • Dominate the paint
  • Get Will Richardson going
  • Keep UC Irvine off the 3-point line

Final Thoughts

Oregon should be able to handle the Anteaters with ease. Oregon has the depth and size inside with Dante, Ware and Nate Bittle to be able to control the paint. From the outside, Oregon needs to improve its numbers from behind the 3-point arc while limiting the number of open opportunities that UC Irvine sees. Tillis and Baker combined to be 4-7 from three against Chapman and will look to continue their hot start against the Ducks. While the Anteaters might be able to hang around during the first half, the Ducks' experience and talent should power them to another victory.

Prediction: Ducks 82, Anteaters 60