Oregon Ducks Schedule Exciting Christmas Game vs. Top College Basketball Program

The Pacific Northwest is in for a special treat for a matchup between two of the best college basketball programs on the West Coast (and beyond) over the last decade.

The Oregon Ducks and Gonzaga Bulldogs have scheduled a neutral-site game at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on December 21st, right before Christmas, per CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.

The time and ticket sales will be announced at a later date. According to The Oregonian's James Crepea, the Big Ten Conference owns the broadcast rights, meaning the television broadcast will likely either be on FOX or FS1.

Nov 28, 2019; Nassau, BHS; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Filip Petrusev (3) shoots as Oregon Ducks forward Shakur Juiston (10) defends during the second half at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Gonzaga coach Mark Few graduated from Oregon in 1987 before he became a graduate assistant in Spokane in 1989. The Zags’ all-time record against his alma mater is 4-19.

Gonzaga did have the most recent victory as they took care of Oregon in the 2019 Battle 4 Atlantis semifinals in the Bahamas, 73-72 in overtime. Gonzaga forward Filip Petrusev finished with a double-double (22 points on 7-for-15 shooting and 8-for-9 free throws, 15 rebounds, one block) in the win. He was later named the 2020 West Coast Conference Player of the Year and drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 50 overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft.

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Nov 27, 2019; Nassau, BHS; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman reacts during the first half against the Seton Hall Pirates at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The 2025-26 Oregon Ducks

Oregon coach Dana Altman returns a core trio in senior center Nate Bittle, junior guard Jackson Shelstad, and junior forward Kwame Evans Jr. That makes for a dangerous group when Big Ten Conference play comes around.

The Ducks grabbed a haul of talent this offseason through the transfer portal:

Elon Phoenix senior guard TK Simpkins (led team in scoring with 16.4 points per game in 2024-25)

Ohio State Buckeyes junior forward Sean Stewart (former McDonald's All-American in 2023)

Texas Longhorns junior wing Devon Pryor (tested the NBA Draft waters this summer)

Since Altman joined the program in Eugene back in 2010, he has been invited to March Madness a total of nine times. He led the Ducks to the 2017 Final Four, which is arguably the most prestigious roster in program history.

Nov 28, 2019; Nassau, BHS; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few reacts during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The 2025-26 Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Zags return a monstrous frontcourt filled with three skilled leftie big men, consisting of 6-9 graduate student Graham Ike, 6-10 redshirt junior Braden Huff, and 7-0 sophomore Ismaila Diagne.

In the backcourt, Gonzaga struck gold in the transfer portal with Colgate Raiders redshirt junior Braeden Smith now running the point, Arizona State Sun Devils graduate student Adam Miller at the shooting guard position, Florida State Seminoles wing Jalen Warley coming off the bench, and Grand Canyon Antelopes graduate student Tyon Grant-Foster.

Grant-Foster is still waiting for a waiver to be granted by the NCAA in order to compete. If it is, he will be the go-to scoring option for the Zags.

Gonzaga hasn't missed the NCAA Tournament since 1998, making it 26 straight trips to the Big Dance and two national championship appearances. Their nine straight Sweet Sixteens came to an end this past postseason.