2016 NCAA tournament Sweet 16 preview: Oregon Ducks
As part of its preview of the Sweet 16, SI.com is taking a look at each of the teams remaining in the NCAA tournament. Adjusted offense and defense statistics—which measure the number of points scored and allowed per 100 possessions—are from kenpom.com and the rankings are relative to the other teams still alive. All other advanced stats are also from kenpom.com (unless noted otherwise) and are through March 21.
Record: 30–6 (14–4 Pac-12)
Adjusted offensive/defensive efficiency: 117.9 (9th)/97.0 (12th)
Path to the Sweet 16: Beat No. 16 Holy Cross, 91–52; beat No. 9 St. Joseph's, 69–64
Impact Player: Dillon Brooks, sophomore forward, 18.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.5 apg through two NCAA tournament games
• MORE: Seth Davis reviews opening weekend & previews the Sweet 16
The Case For: The Ducks didn’t face a serious test in the first round, walloping arguably the worst team in the NCAA tournament, No. 16 seed Holy Cross, by 39 points. But their game against St. Joseph’s was a different story. Oregon surrendered a five-point halftime lead and trailed by seven points with 4:49 left. Ironically, it was in this spot that Oregon proved its worth as a No. 1 seed. The Ducks’ resiliency was tested, and they came through in a big way, closing the game on an 18–6 run to win.
Oregon has otherwise played about as predicted so far. The Ducks are led by a balanced offense—four starters averaged in double figures during the regular season—and play just enough defense to stay competitive in close games and to preserve a lead late. Brooks’s continued emergence—he scored 25 points with an offensive rating of 125—gives the Ducks an MOP-caliber player who can take over any game.
Patrick Smith/Getty
The Case Against:Against: St. Joseph’s was only the No. 44 team in the country, and Holy Cross was No. 264, so the Ducks have yet to be seriously tested. They will be, though, against Duke. Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski, of course, has five national championships to his name, and he also has two of the best players in the country in freshman forward Brandon Ingram and sophomore guard Grayson Allen. Although the Ducks’ road to this point has been relatively easy, it will be treacherous moving forward.
Oregon continues to struggle on the defensive glass, ranking No. 225 nationally. They are vulnerable against post-oriented teams and against teams that take care of the basketball. A lot of the Ducks’ offense is generated from fastbreaks off steals and blocks.
SI Prediction: Beat Duke in the Sweet 16; lose to Oklahoma in the Elite Eight.
