Heading into the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament will be two former Pac-12 rivals facing off in Arizona and Oregon. The game is set for Sunday, March 23 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Arizona (23-12) and Oregon (25-9) are two teams that have a long history against one another and have both been able to adjust to life in new conferences, with the Wildcats playing in the Big 12 and Ducks playing in the Big Ten.
Their upcoming matchup in the tournament will be the first between them. However, they do have a long history spanning 93 games. Arizona swept Oregon in the regular season last year before falling to the Ducks in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals. Now, both teams are eyeing a spot in the Sweet 16, where they could face top-seeded Duke.
Game/Team Matchup Info
Arizona enters as a 4.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 152.5 points. The Wildcats currently have one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, averaging 82.1 points per game. Meanwhile, Oregon is holding opponents to 70.4 points per contest while scoring 76.4 per game.
Rebounding will likely be a key factor in this matchup. Arizona leads the Big 12 in rebounding with 36.6 per game, spearheaded by Tobe Awaka’s 7.8 boards per contest. Oregon has been slightly less dominant on the glass, averaging 33.4 rebounds per game over its last 10 outings.
However, both teams enter this contest playing some of their best basketball of the season. The Wildcats are 6-4 over their last 10 games, averaging 83.9 points per game while shooting 49% from the field. Oregon has been on an even hotter streak as of late with a 9-1 record over their last 10 games, while also managing to hold their opponents to just 66.6 points per game during this stretch.
Arizona’s Keys to Victory
The Wildcats’ success in this game will be no different than it was in the round before or frankly any different than what it has been their entire season. Arizona has to be the one to dictate the pace of play. As the Wildcats illustrated in their first performance, they thrive in transition with Guards Caleb Love and Jaden Bradley leading the way with their fast-paced tempo offense which has led to consistent scoring opportunities. Love leads Arizona with 16.4 points per game, and Bradley has been behind him as a steady contributor with his 12.9 points over his last 10 games.
Additionally, against a team like Oregon, the Wildcats’ defensive consistency will also be crucial. Arizona has shown vulnerability on that end, allowing 72.2 points per game. The Wildcats will have to find a way to contain Oregon’s perimeter shooters, particularly Jackson Shelstad, who is hitting 37.5% of his three-pointers.
Finally, rebounding will play a huge role. Awaka and the Wildcats’ frontcourt must control the boards to prevent second-chance opportunities for Oregon. If Arizona wins the battle on the glass, it will have a strong chance of advancing to the Sweet 16.
Oregon’s Keys to Victory
For the Ducks, slowing down Arizona’s transition offense will have to be their top priority. Oregon’s defense has been solid throughout the season, allowing just 70.4 points per game, and it will need to remain disciplined against Arizona’s fast-paced attack. If the Ducks can force the Wildcats into half-court sets, they can limit easy scoring opportunities.
Oregon also needs a big performance from its leading scorers. Nathan Bittle has been on fire over the past 10 games, averaging 18.1 points while shooting 51.9% from the field. Shelstad will need to provide perimeter scoring to complement Bittle’s inside presence. If both players can find their rhythm Oregon will have a good chance to keep pace with Arizona.
Turnovers could also be a deciding factor. Arizona’s defense is aggressive, averaging 6.3 steals per game. Oregon must take care of the ball and avoid unforced errors. However, the same thing could be said about the Wildcats who finished their first game with 16 turnovers. If the Ducks can maintain their composure and limit mistakes, they can put themselves in a position to take down Arizona and keep on dancing.
Player To Watch For the Arizona Wildcats
In this game, the player to watch for the Wildcats is Jaden Bradley. The junior guard is coming off a strong first-round performance, scoring a game-high 19 points while grabbing 6 rebounds. He has been a reliable secondary scorer alongside Love while also providing defensive versatility.
Bradley’s matchup with Shelstad could determine the game’s outcome. If he can apply pressure defensively and keep Shelstad from getting comfortable, Arizona will have the upper hand. His ability to attack the basket and create for teammates will also be critical to Arizona’a offensive success.
Player To Watch For the Oregon Ducks
On the other side, Shelstad will be Oregon’s X-factor. The sophomore guard played a key role in Oregon’s dominant first-round victory, scoring 17 points while adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists. He is one of the Ducks’ best perimeter threats, capable of stretching the defense with his outside shooting.
Shelstad’s ability to control the tempo and make plays for his teammates is perfect for this game. If he can keep Oregon’s offense flowing while handling Arizona’s aggressive defensive pressure, the Ducks will have a good shot of securing the victory. His battle with Bradley will be one of the game’s most important matchups.
Final Thoughts
This game between two familiar programs will be a battle between two high-powered offenses. Arizona’s strengths lie within their pace of play and ability to dominate the boards. However, Oregon has shown to be one of the most defensively disciplined teams in the country, and if their recent string of games is any indication they have no plans of rolling over against the Wildcats.
A trip to the Sweet 16 is on the line. Both teams have been building up to this moment. It is nearly here. If Arizona is allowed to play its game by controlling the temp and glass, it will put itself in a strong position to advance. If Oregon can disrupt the Wildcats’ rhythm and put on a defensive showcase on Sunday, they will put themselves in a position to advance for a chance to face either top-seeded Duke or Baylor.
