Game Time: 8:30pm @ Mac Court, Eugene TV: n/a
The BTI tournament continues today as the Ducks take on the Denver Pioneers from the Sun Belt Conference. The University of Denver has been in the news lately because of a planned move to the WAC starting in 2011. The Sun Belt has teams like Western Kentucky (which has a red grimace for a mascot) and Florida International with former Detroit Piston and bane of New York Knicks fans, head coach Isiah Thomas.
The Pioneers opened their season at Mac Court against the Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara and did not look good at all. UC Santa Barbara held them to 37% shooting from the field with Redshirt Sophmore Trevor Noonan getting most of the touches. If there was a bright spot for Denver, it would have to be their free throw shooting rebounds. They aren't a huge team but they can certainly get on the boards. One threat the Ducks will need to be especially mindful of is 6-9 Junior Forward Justin Coughlin who hit 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. He could pose a match up problem with his size, especially if he can bury some outside shots and make the Duck defenders come out to challenge him. Only 8 players saw action in their opening game so this may be one of the few teams Oregon has an advantage depth-wise this year.
After the overtime win last night, the Ducks could be a little tired coming into this game but I don't expect there to be much of a hangover. Denver should be outmatched in this game but I would expect a Duck victory in high single digits. Go Ducks!