Talkin’ Tall Firs: Ducks Look to Get Back in Win Column

After losing two straight to Texas Southern and Houston, the Ducks look to turn it around as the Mavericks travel to Eugene. Too many turnovers and being out-rebounded by smaller opponents continue to be an issue. The second go-to scorer has yet to stand out for Oregon. Dana Altman hasn’t figured out the best lineup to implement when down in the key late moments of the game. Time to fix these issues because the Ducks can’t afford to lose any more games in the preseason. Omaha is a good first opponent to get a winning streak started. The Mavericks are also on a two-game losing streak.

Wins - Buena Vista, Bethune-Cookman, Montana State

Losses - Minnesota, Northern Arizona, Colorado, Iowa State, Arizona State

Game Time:

Omaha (3-5) @ Oregon (4-3) (8:00 PM ET, PAC-12 Network) on Saturday, December 8th

Omaha KenPom Ranking - #201

Key Numbers:

• 75.3 Points Per Game
• 31 Rebounds Per Game
• 12.5 Assists Per Game
• 7.4 Steals Per Game
• 2.1 Blocks Per Game
• 76.1 Points Allowed Per Game
• 46.5 Field Goal Percentage

Player to Watch For:

Zach Jackson, Senior - 20.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.5 SPG

A consistent scorer who is efficient from the floor while shooting a .550% field goal percentage and a .474% three-point percentage. The Ducks will see a lot of him on the floor as leads the team in minutes played at 31.6 per game.

Score Prediction: 85-71, Ducks over Mavericks

Good opportunity to get back in the win column. Oregon now has four straight home games at Matthew Knight to get everything back in order. This should be a shootout and I see the Ducks coming out on top. Bol Bol will have another double-double in this one.

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