Pacific Game Preview: Tigers vs. Ducks in the Global Sports Challenge
By Josh Horton
Nov 24, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks mascot performs during the game against the San Francisco Dons at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Pacific vs. No. 14 Oregon (Global Sports Challenge)
Game time: 12:00 p.m. PST
TV: Pac 12 Network
Radio: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/uop.portal#
Teams Records: Pac – 4-0 – OU – 4-0
Leading Scorers: Pac – Taku 16.3 – OU – Young 23.0
Leading Rebounders: Pac – Taku 6.8 – OU – Moser 7.3
Leading Distributors: Pac – Taku 3.8 – OU – Loyd 5.3
Projected Starters
Pacific
Andrew Bock
Sama Taku
Trevin Harris
Tony Gill
Khalil Kelley
Oregon
Johnathan Loyd
Joseph Young
Damyean Dotson
Mike Moser
Waverly Austin
In a battle between two undefeated teams, Pacific will look to take down the Oregon Ducks in the Global Sports Challenge, a round-robin type tournament hosted by the Ducks themselves.
The Opponent
AP: 14
Coaches: 15
RPI: 18
KenPom: 37
Oregon is a high-tempo team that is extremely efficient on the offensive end. The Ducks average 1.23 points every possession, which is tied for 15th in the nation. Oregon is averaging 89.5 points this season, which is good for 17th best in the NCAA.
The Ducks are led by Houston transfer Joseph Young. The redshirt junior guard is averaging 23.0 points this season, which is ranked 19th in the entire nation.
Coach Dana Altman utilities his bench a great deal, as nine Ducks have averaged more than 10.0 minutes this season. Expect to see a great deal of senior guard Jason Calliste, sophomore forward Elgin Cook, senior forward Richard Amardi and junior guard Jalil Abdul Bassit off the bench for the Ducks.
UNLV transfer Mike Moser has helped make up for the losses of Arsalan Kazemi and E.J. Singler. His 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds are a good reason why the Ducks have been as successful as they have.
Keys to the Game
Force the Ball Inside
Oregon haw a lot of weapons on the perimeter. Joseph Young, Jason Calliste, Johnathan Lloyd and Damyean Dotson all can torch you from deep and beat you off the bounce.
It would not be in Pacific’s best interest to let this slew of players score at will. Instead, the Tigers must make the Ducks force the ball inside, where they have a lot less pure scoring options.
Pacific can do this by keeping the Oregon guards in front of them and instilling on-ball pressure to the Ducks backcourt.
Slow the Tempo
Oregon is a fast-tempo team that will be looking to push the ball today.
Given both teams personnel’s, the Tigers would be very lucky to win a fast paced game with a ton of possessions.
Instead, the Tigers should try and slow and tempo down and control the pace of the game. That is Pacific’s best chance of winning the game, because they are not going to win a running match with the Ducks.
On top of that, the Tigers need to take care of the ball. If Oregon can get steals that result in easy buckets on the other end, it would be catastrophic for Ron Verlin’s squad.