(https://i.ibb.co/Kcv7MQHq/20250322-212327.jpg)
Arizona Vs Oregon 🏀 Game Preview/Discussion Thread 3/23/25 640PM TBS
Tonight, March 23, 2025, the No. 4 seed Arizona Wildcats (23-12) face off against the No. 5 seed Oregon Ducks (25-9) in a highly anticipated second-round clash in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off is set for 6:40 p.m. PT (9:40 p.m. ET) at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, airing on TBS. This matchup pits two former Pac-12 rivals against each other, now representing the Big 12 and Big Ten, respectively, with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. Here's everything you need to know about this showdown, including key stats, player performances, and what to expect.
How They Got Here
Arizona Wildcats (No. 4 Seed, 23-12, 16-8 Big 12)
Arizona cruised past No. 13 Akron in the first round, securing a commanding 93-65 victory on Friday night. The Wildcats showcased their offensive firepower, shooting 56.5% from the field and draining a program-record 12 three-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game (12-of-25, 48%). They dominated the glass, outrebounding Akron 53-22, including 15 offensive boards that led to 18 second-chance points. Jaden Bradley led the way with 19 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Trey Townsend (16 points), Carter Bryant (12), KJ Lewis (10), and Caleb Love (10) all reached double figures. Despite 16 turnovers, Arizona's balanced attack and rebounding prowess overwhelmed the Zips.
Oregon Ducks (No. 5 Seed, 25-9, 13-9 Big Ten)
Oregon punched their ticket to Round 2 with an 81-52 rout of No. 12 Liberty on Friday. The Ducks stifled the Flames defensively, holding them to just 20 first-half points and 52 for the game while shooting 52.6% from the field themselves. Sophomore guard Jackson Shelstad led the charge with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting in just 25 minutes, and 14 Ducks saw the floor in the blowout. Oregon's depth and defensive intensity—bolstered by Nate Bittle's 2.2 blocks per game—proved too much for Liberty, setting up this clash with Arizona.
Head-to-Head History
Arizona holds a 55-38 edge in the all-time series against Oregon, but this will be the first NCAA Tournament meeting between the two programs. Last season, the Wildcats swept the regular-season series (87-78 on Jan. 27, 2024, and 103-83 on Mar. 2, 2024), but Oregon got the last laugh with a 67-59 upset in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals on March 15, 2024. That game saw Oregon's defense hold Arizona to 38.5% shooting and force 13 turnovers, a blueprint Dana Altman may look to replicate tonight.
Players to Watch
Arizona Wildcats
Caleb Love (Sr. G): The former North Carolina standout averages 16.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. His 10-point outing against Akron was quiet by his standards, but his ability to take over games remains a threat.
Jaden Bradley (Jr. G): Leading the team with 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game, Bradley's 19-point explosion against Akron showed his scoring upside.
Henri Veesaar (So. C): The 7-footer averages 1.1 blocks and has emerged as a key interior presence, critical against Oregon's Nate Bittle.
Oregon Ducks
Nate Bittle (Sr. C): Oregon's defensive anchor averages 14.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. His battle with Veesaar in the paint will be pivotal.
Jackson Shelstad (So. G): The sharpshooter's 17 points against Liberty highlighted his scoring efficiency (1.9 threes per game), making him a key offensive weapon.
TJ Bamba (Sr. G): A do-it-all guard with 10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, Bamba's versatility could exploit Arizona's turnover-prone tendencies.
Storylines to Follow
Coaching Contrast: Arizona's Tommy Lloyd (5-2 in NCAA Tournament games) seeks his third Sweet 16 in four years, but he's 0-1 against Oregon's Dana Altman in postseason play. Altman, with a 19-9 tourney record at Oregon, thrives in March and has a perfect 8-0 first-round mark since 2010.
Pac-12 Farewell: This game marks a nostalgic reunion of old conference foes, now in new leagues, adding extra stakes to an already intense matchup.
Rebounding vs. Defense: Arizona's rebounding edge (41.5 RPG) faces Oregon's shot-blocking prowess (4.7 BPG). Can the Wildcats control the glass, or will the Ducks' interior defense force a perimeter battle?
Arizona is favored at 5.5 points and the Over/Under is 150.5 points
Let's talk about the Wildcats Vs Ducks
BEARDOWN!!!
Live stream links will be provided in the chat.
Predict the score & win 💰 Click Here (https://beardownu.com/index.php?topic=15585.0)
Get A FREE Premium BDU membership Register Here (https://beardownu.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=3a7ebe06d26b7b01c02defe9ebba44f1&action=register)
I sure hope arizona is ready for a battle today, there can only be 1 that moves on .
Oregon will be tough, hope we play well an take care of the ball, because Oregon wants to turn you over.
Oregon is more experienced and deeper, since ADO is unplayable in this game, making us only 7 deep.
More experienced Dana > Lloyd in tournament play.
We aren't the smartest team, so how do we react to the multiple defenses Oregon will throw at us?
I think our backcourt penetration is neutralized by Oregons speed and athleticism. We will need to hit from 3 again.
We always had a R32 or S16 ceiling. I don't like this matchup.
Our frontline needs a big day.
The game plan for the referees will be to get 2 fouls on Henri as quickly as possible to make life easier for Dana Altman's son, Nate Bittle.
Easy W
Arizona played a tougher schedule and played against much better teams than Oregon and best some of those better teams. We should expect to win, regardless of their different defenses. I'm sick of Oregon and Altman getting so much damn respect. Time to smack down those damn Ducks
https://x.com/Zona_Briggs/status/1903957157735014642?t=fAE4j2zEdjsM-YwBVI-Yew&s=19
Arizona was unbelievably patient and trusted the process, after the worst imaginable start.
Despite a few small mental lapses, the Cats absolutely dominated after being down 19-4.
Great defense, hustle, passion and shooting (including FT's).
This team wants revenge on Dook...
https://x.com/AZATHLETICS/status/1904032532628382096?t=PHtv28UOpRIquaPWouNQVA&s=19
https://x.com/jgtrends/status/1904029719445565766?t=PHtv28UOpRIquaPWouNQVA&s=19
Quote from: TucsonTruckStop on March 23, 2025, 09:27:49 AMOregon is more experienced and deeper, since ADO is unplayable in this game, making us only 7 deep.
More experienced Dana > Lloyd in tournament play.
We aren't the smartest team, so how do we react to the multiple defenses Oregon will throw at us?
I think our backcourt penetration is neutralized by Oregons speed and athleticism. We will need to hit from 3 again.
We always had a R32 or S16 ceiling. I don't like this matchup.
Our frontline needs a big day.
Looks like Antman Dell'Taco saw this, got mad, and decided he belonged with the mid-bois of Oregon.
Quote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on March 23, 2025, 11:56:40 AMThe game plan for the referees will be to get 2 fouls on Henri as quickly as possible to make life easier for Dana Altman's son, Nate Bittle.
Looks to me like Tommy's entire plan was to get 2 early fouls on Bittle and then go to work with Henri and Awaka/Carter overpowering. The refs swallowed their whistles for most of the game until closer to the end of the 1st half and early 2nd.
Henri was schemed up for.
Awaka finally had a game where he was necessary and it worked out that the refs let him bully ball on Bittle as much as he did.
Does anyone know why Tommy refused to play Awaka with like 6min to go (besides 4 fouls)... The time to insert Awaka was when we went up 7pts and Dana called Oregon's last Timeout... but Tommy still held him out until the final minute-ish... proving.... what exactly?
And how about that insane steal where we should have ran 30 seconds off the clock, up 7 with around 1:40 to go... the easy 2 was there, but we often go too fast and don't execute our wide open situations. In fact, we are the least "Showtime" in Arizona History when it comes to run out Dunking and such. Just perform the layup and go up 9, defend the perimeter like crazy, give up the 2... 1:10 or so to go, up 7....... same outcome as running clock.
That goof up led to having to pray Oregon MISSED their chances. Especially with Bradley missing a FT which isn't surprising. Dana is a Master.. no MAESTRO at the FT Line. Making sure the moment drags out. Iciing the opponent. Sending players in and out of the lane, across, subbing in 1 guy at a time. Anything to rattle a shooter. The mind games are very real with Dana Duck.
Quote from: Naterade on March 23, 2025, 06:03:01 PMArizona played a tougher schedule and played against much better teams than Oregon and best some of those better teams. We should expect to win, regardless of their different defenses. I'm sick of Oregon and Altman getting so much damn respect. Time to smack down those damn Ducks
Tell that to a few of our pretty well known CBOX people who live in fear of Dana
Quote from: arxpert on March 23, 2025, 11:38:33 PMQuote from: TucsonTruckStop on March 23, 2025, 09:27:49 AMOregon is more experienced and deeper, since ADO is unplayable in this game, making us only 7 deep.
More experienced Dana > Lloyd in tournament play.
We aren't the smartest team, so how do we react to the multiple defenses Oregon will throw at us?
I think our backcourt penetration is neutralized by Oregons speed and athleticism. We will need to hit from 3 again.
We always had a R32 or S16 ceiling. I don't like this matchup.
Our frontline needs a big day.
Looks like Antman Dell'Taco saw this, got mad, and decided he belonged with the mid-bois of Oregon.
Apparently. Clutch free throws and shot. His defense still sucks though.
I thought Awaka was key.
So much to talk about this game, especially when looking ahead to Duke. Far from perfect but some of our biggest player gripes this season were largely positive. Tom "Hannibal" Lloyd with his best A-Team impression.
Quote from: TucsonTruckStop on March 23, 2025, 11:53:29 PMQuote from: arxpert on March 23, 2025, 11:38:33 PMQuote from: TucsonTruckStop on March 23, 2025, 09:27:49 AMOregon is more experienced and deeper, since ADO is unplayable in this game, making us only 7 deep.
More experienced Dana > Lloyd in tournament play.
We aren't the smartest team, so how do we react to the multiple defenses Oregon will throw at us?
I think our backcourt penetration is neutralized by Oregons speed and athleticism. We will need to hit from 3 again.
We always had a R32 or S16 ceiling. I don't like this matchup.
Our frontline needs a big day.
Looks like Antman Dell'Taco saw this, got mad, and decided he belonged with the mid-bois of Oregon.
Apparently. Clutch free throws and shot. His defense still sucks though.
I thought Awaka was key.
I think Delly is going to be outmatched in Man to Man and that's all Tommy likes to play, so realistically if we aren't going to give him some set spot jumpers to attempt or clear a lane so he can drive and lay it in, he really is just out there to give our other guys a breather.
But he can hit some shots and he can drive to the rim and finish.
I guarantee he is on Every team's scouting report to just let him get to the rim and attempt his layup or reverse layup ---> as in, don't waste a shooting foul on him, especially with a Big, because he will hit most of his FT's.
Yet Tommy doesn't really design pick and roll with him and Awaka or Henri much. Mostly because Delly isn't the greatest passer.. So it is hard for him to "out-athlete" his opponents -- however, when He does he usually puts up points.