No. 15 Oregon Falls to Minnesota 77-69: Ducks Struggle on the Boards in Road Loss

MINNEAPOLIS—The No. 15 Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team suffered a tough road loss Saturday, falling to the Minnesota Golden Gophers 77-69 at Williams Arena. Despite staying competitive deep into the second half, the Ducks couldn’t close the game, as Minnesota went on a late run to pull off the upset.

Oregon (16-4, 7-3 Big Ten) has thrived this season with an offense by committee, and Saturday was no different. Brandon Angel led the Ducks with 18 points and five rebounds while shooting 50% from the field, 71.4% at the free throw line, and 42.8% from beyond the arc. Jackson Shelstad continued his strong season, adding 15 points on 71.4% shooting, including a perfect 100% from the line and 66.6% from three-point range. TJ Bamba, coming off a standout performance against rival Washington, chipped in 15 points, three rebounds, and four assists while shooting 62.5% from the floor and hitting all of his free throws.

However, Oregon’s offense wasn’t enough to overcome Minnesota’s stellar play, led by Dawson Garcia. The Gophers’ standout big man dominated the Ducks inside, finishing with 31 points and six rebounds on 13-of-19 shooting, including three three-pointers. Minnesota (11-9, 5-5 Big Ten) had four players score in double figures, including Parker Fox, who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Lu’Cye Patterson added 11 points, and Femi Odukale contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

The Ducks were outworked on the boards, a recurring issue this season. Oregon was outrebounded 33-22 overall, including a lopsided 8-1 margin on the offensive glass. Minnesota capitalized with an 11-0 advantage in second-chance points, exploiting Oregon’s inability to secure key rebounds. This was a familiar storyline for the Ducks, who faced similar struggles in a loss to Purdue earlier this season.

Starting center Nathan Bittle, typically a reliable presence in the paint, had a night to forget. The 7-footer finished without a point, going 0-for-3 from the field and 0-for-2 at the free throw line, while contributing just four rebounds. Bittle’s struggles highlight a critical area of concern for Oregon, which must address its rebounding woes to remain competitive in Big Ten play.

Dana Altman, in his 15th season at Oregon, has built a reputation as one of college basketball’s most consistent coaches. As the program’s all-time winningest coach, Altman has led the Ducks to multiple deep postseason runs, including the school’s first Final Four appearance since 1939. Though this loss stings, Altman’s track record suggests Oregon can still regroup.

The Golden Gophers, meanwhile, are no strangers to upsets. Earlier this month, they defeated then-No. 20 Michigan, 84-81, and Saturday’s victory over Oregon adds another signature win to their résumé.

For Oregon, this game serves as a wake-up call. While the loss to Minnesota is undoubtedly a blow to the Ducks’ momentum, the season is far from over. Oregon will return to the West Coast for a Jan. 30 matchup against UCLA in Westwood. The Ducks will look to avenge a heartbreaking loss to the Bruins earlier this season, when UCLA stunned Oregon with a game-winning bank shot at Matthew Knight Arena.

With conference play heating up and March on the horizon, Oregon still has time to solidify its position as a contender. The road ahead is challenging, but if history is any indicator, Altman and the Ducks are more than capable of turning things around.