Dana Altman’s offense able to out-smart Hall of Fame college basketball coach, Jim Boeheim’s vaunted 2-3 zone in first half.

Perhaps taking an early loss to Iowa in the first matchup of the 2k Empire Classic was a blessing in disguise for Altman and his Ducks. Oregon may not have come out ready to play in the first half against the Hawkeyes allowing 8 three-point shots, but it was a different story versus the Orange.

The Ducks got out to a 13 point lead at the end of the first half, with the help of solid defense and shooting that wasn’t necessarily seen against the Hawkeyes. The early lead was enough to propel Oregon to the victory over 15th ranked Syracuse.

Bol Bol, once again, was a matchup nightmare on both ends of the floor.

Example A:

The Sudanese shot-blocker and Oregon’s defense held Syracuse to 34.6% FG shooting and 5-24 from behind the arch. It was a major turn-around from a team who struggled mightily to defend the deep-ball just a day earlier. Bol is a perennial shot-blocker and rim-defender. If the Duck’s perimeter defense can limit opposing offenses from deep, Oregon’s defense can compete with the best in the nation.

Other take-aways from the game:

• Wooten Jr. can jump... but everyone probably knew that.

• If Bol doesn’t ball Oregon struggles on both ends of the court.
• When the Ducks come to play defense they can’t be stopped at either end of the floor.
• Okoro’s minutes starting to disappear.

Oregon

*Payton Pritchard: (36 MIN) 18 PTS / 5 REB / 3 AST

*Bol Bol: (33 MIN) 26 PTS / 9 REB / 1 AST

*Kenny Wooten Jr.: (27 MIN) 12 PTS / 6 REB

*Ehab Amin: (27 MIN) 5 PTS / 5 REB / 4 AST

*Paul White: (14 MIN) 6 PTS / 1 REB

Victor Bailey Jr: (18 MIN) 3 PTS / 2 REB / 1 AST

Will Richardson: (26 MIN) 7 PTS / 4 REB / 3 AST

Fancis Okoro: (4 MIN) 0-1 FG

Abu Kigab: (14 MIN) 3 PTS / 1 AST

Syracuse

*Oshae Brissett: (33 MIN) 11 PTS / 5 REB / 3 AST

*Elijah Hughes: (38 MIN) 14 PTS / 5 REB / 5 PF

*Paschal Chukwu: (18 MIN) 0 PTS / 3 REB / 5 PF

*Jalen Carey: (36 MIN) 14 PTS / 3 REB / 2 AST

*Tyus Battle: (36 MIN) 17 PTS / 3 REB / 2 AST

Marek Dolezaj: (17 MIN) 4 PTS / 2 REB

Bourama Sidibe: (11 MIN) 2 PTS / 1 REB

Buddy Boeheim: (7 MIN) 3 PTS / 1 AST

Flying back to Eugene with the conclusion of the 2K Empire Classic, Oregon will begin to prepare for their next opponent at home. They’ll play Sandy Cohen III (15.0 PPG) and the 1-2 Green Bay Phoenix, Tuesday. Before having nearly a week between games with the Thanksgiving holiday lending them six days between Green Bay and their next matchups.

Follow Colt Johnson on Twitter @Barefoot_Sensei