The Oregon Ducks basketball season is at a crossroads after suffering a brutal 78-52 loss to the unranked UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion on January 30th. Ranked No. 16 heading into the matchup, Oregon was expected to bounce back after a heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss to UCLA earlier in the season. Instead, the Ducks were dismantled on both ends of the floor, raising serious concerns about their NCAA Tournament prospects.
A Shocking Blow for Oregon
This was more than just a bad loss—it was a wake-up call. While playing at Pauley Pavilion is never easy, the Ducks had reason to believe they could handle UCLA, given how close their first matchup was. However, this game showed an entirely different story, exposing Oregon’s offensive struggles and inability to control the game.
Head coach Dana Altman has a history of turning around tough situations, but the path to the NCAA Tournament just became much steeper. Oregon is now in the Big Ten, as is UCLA. They are no longer in the Pac-12, and the level of competition has significantly increased. The pressure is mounting, and if the Ducks can’t correct course immediately, they might find themselves in a position where only a conference tournament win will secure a March Madness bid.
What’s Next for the Ducks?
Oregon now faces a must-win game against Nebraska at Matthew Knight Arena. A victory is crucial to steady the ship, but the road ahead only gets tougher. After Nebraska, the Ducks will go on the road to face two of the Big Ten’s best—No. 3 Michigan and No. 1 Michigan State. Both teams are on track for deep NCAA Tournament runs, making these matchups the ultimate test for Oregon’s resilience.
If the Ducks can split these games, they’ll keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. A sweep would prove that this UCLA loss was just an anomaly. But if Oregon drops both, their RPI will take a significant hit, and even their marquee win over Alabama might not be enough to secure a tournament berth.
Oregon’s Offensive Collapse
Shooting struggles were the primary culprit in this disastrous defeat. The Ducks couldn’t buy a basket, finishing with just 41% from the field and an abysmal 17% from three-point range (4-for-23).
• Nathan Bittle and Keeshawn Barthelemy were the only two Ducks who shot at least 45% from the field, but that’s hardly a bright spot.
• Bittle, despite his inside presence, went just 16.7% from beyond the arc.
• Barthelemy led the Ducks in three-point shooting but only made 2-of-5 (40%).
• Jackson Shelstad, one of Oregon’s most reliable scorers this season, had his worst performance of the year—0 points, 0-for-2 FG, 0-for-2 3PT.
• TJ Bamba, who has flashed potential at times, struggled at 36% from the field and 0-for-4 from three.
• The only other three-pointer made was by Brandon Angel (1-for-1), but he finished with just seven points.
Oregon’s lack of scoring efficiency meant they never found their rhythm, and UCLA took full advantage.
Ducks Lose the Battle on the Boards, But Defense Was the Bigger Issue
Rebounding had been an issue for Oregon earlier in the season, and while they weren’t dominated in this game, UCLA still held the edge, 28-22. The Ducks did manage seven offensive rebounds compared to UCLA’s six, but second-chance points were still slightly in UCLA’s favor, 7-4.
However, defense was the bigger concern. Oregon allowed UCLA to shoot a scorching 56% from the field and 48% from three, a recipe for disaster against a home team with momentum.
• Eric Daly (24 points, 88% FG, 100% 3PT) was nearly unstoppable.
• Dylan Andrews (15 points, 54.5% FG, 60% 3PT) provided steady production.
• Tyler Bilodeau (15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 62.5% FG, 60% 3PT) contributed a well-rounded performance.
Adding to Oregon’s woes, UCLA recorded seven steals, disrupting the Ducks’ already struggling offense.
Final Thoughts: It’s Do or Die for the Ducks
This loss to UCLA was a significant setback, but Oregon still has a chance to control their destiny. The Nebraska game is now a must-win, and how they respond to their upcoming road stretch will determine whether they remain in the NCAA Tournament conversation.
Oregon has pulled off late-season turnarounds before—both under Dana Altman and Ernie Kent. However, with their new reality in the Big Ten, this challenge is unlike any before. If they don’t fix their issues now, their only path to the Big Dance may be through an extremely tough Big Ten Tournament.
The next few weeks will define Oregon’s season. Will they rise to the challenge, or will this UCLA loss mark the beginning of a downward spiral? We’ll find out soon enough.
Call to Action:
What do you think, Ducks fans? Can Oregon bounce back, or is this the beginning of the end for their NCAA Tournament hopes?
Pacific Playbook 
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