Oregon and No. 24 Michigan are each in strong form for NCAA Event bids, however there is not a lot else they’ve in widespread proper now getting into Wednesday night time’s Massive Ten contest in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Visiting Oregon (16-5, 5-6) is available in reeling, having misplaced three in a row and 4 of its final 5, with the one win in that stretch coming in opposition to one of many league’s worst groups, Washington.
The Geese launched into their two-game street journey to Michigan (they play at No. 9 Michigan State on Saturday) after dropping a 77-71 dwelling contest to Nebraska on Sunday.
Oregon has fallen from legit convention contender to a sub-.500 file within the league throughout this icy stretch.
The silver lining is that Oregon had eight Quad 1 wins and a No. 37 NET rating to start this week, so the Geese nonetheless are effectively north of the NCAA tourney bubble.
Nonetheless, Oregon coach Dana Altman is aware of his staff goes to have to show issues round shortly, particularly enjoying on the street in opposition to two of the highest three groups within the Massive Ten this week.
“We’ll must battle by way of it,” he stated. “We have got 5 on the street and 4 at dwelling left. Everyone’s form of bundled up (within the convention race), so it is simply whoever performs effectively in February. We have historically performed effectively in February, however this staff goes to must determine it out.”
Michigan (16-5, 8-2) is available in feeling a lot better about itself, a winner of two straight following a 66-63 street triumph at Rutgers on Saturday.
The Wolverines entered Tuesday a recreation behind Michigan State for the highest spot within the convention standings and had been No. 17 within the NET rankings.
“We’re nonetheless a piece in progress,” Michigan coach Dusty Might stated. “It is February. We have got to have the ability to win when it isn’t fairly and simply maintain transferring ahead. However we won’t get bored with the method.”
The sport will characteristic three of one of the best frontcourt gamers within the convention.
Michigan is led by its 7-foot twin towers of Vladislav Goldin (15.6 factors, 6.0 rebounds per recreation) and Danny Wolf (12.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg), whereas Oregon is led in scoring and rebounding by 7-footer Nate Bittle (12.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg).
If there was a giant weak spot for Michigan this yr, it has been turnovers. The Wolverines lead the Massive Ten in turnovers at 14.8 per contest, and that could possibly be a difficulty in opposition to an Oregon staff that averages 7.1 steals per recreation and is giving up solely 71.0 factors per contest.
Though the groups have been in reverse conferences earlier than this yr and are positioned a good distance from one another, there’s a latest historical past.
Oregon earned a 71-70 additional time win over Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2019, whereas the Geese additionally defeated Michigan in additional time, 86-83, in additional time final season in Eugene, Ore.
–Area Stage Media
