Talkin’ Tall Firs: Oregon Making Another Trip Down to Texas

Florida A&M Rattlers

The Rattlers have lived on the road as they have only played two games at home. I really can’t vouch for this team and I don’t see them coming anywhere near a win against the Ducks.

Wins - Jacksonville, Tuskegee, Fort Valley State

Losses - Campbell, Central Connecticut, @ South Florida, @ Loyola Marymount, @ North Florida, @ South Alabama, @ DePaul, @ Georgia Tech

KenPom Ranking - #337

Game Time:

Florida A&M (3-8) @ Oregon (7-3) 6:00 PM ET, PAC-12 Network on Tuesday, December 18th

Key Numbers:

• 61.1 Points Per Game
• 30.9 Rebounds Per Game
• 11.3 Assists Per Game
• 8.7 Steals Per Game
• 2.4 Blocks Per Game
• 67.5 Points Allowed Per Game
• 41.6 Field Goal Percentage

Player to Watch For:

Justin Ravenel, Senior - 13.7 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.2APG, 1.5 SPG

Justin finds most of his points coming from beyond the arc. He is 34 for 72 on three-pointers which translates to .472%.

Score Prediction: 91-66, Ducks over Rattlers

I’m predicting a double-double from Will Richardson as well. I had him in the starting rotation in the beginning of the season and I’m very glad Altman decided to plug him in after Oregon’s recent struggles. It’s Richardson’s time to be the third go-to scorer right behind Pritchard and Bol.

Baylor Bears

The Bears and the Ducks have one thing in common. They both lost to Texas Southern on their home court. Not the best shared attribute you want to have. This isn’t the Baylor team of old but they still are a competitive bunch and they will come out hot as Oregon is the best team they scheduled in the preseason.

Wins - Southern, Prairie View A&M, Nicholls, George Mason, South Dakota, @ Arizona

Losses - Texas Southern, Ole Miss, @ Wichita State

KenPom Ranking - #60

Game Time:

Oregon (7-3) @ Baylor (6-3) 7:00 PM ET, ESPN2 on Friday, December 21st

Key Numbers:

• 71.9 Points Per Game
• 38.7 Rebounds Per Game
• 12.3 Assists Per Game
• 5.6 Steals Per Game
• 6.4 Blocks Per Game
• 63.9 Points Allowed Per Game
• 44.5 Field Goal Percentage

Player to Watch For:

King McClure, Senior - 13.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 SPG

A role player his first three years in the neon green Baylor uniform who is becoming the leader of the squad now. King (what a baller name) is an extremely tough player whose stats may not jump out at you but he finds someway to make an impact on a game.

Score Prediction: 75-67, Ducks over Bears

Baylor doesn’t have much height inside so it’s going to be hard for them to contain both Bol (If he ends up playing; Questionable with left leg injury) and Wooten. Their tallest player who plays significant minutes, Tristan Clark, only stands 6’9.

*Arden Cravalho is a senior at Gonzaga University... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho