INDIANAPOLIS — With sixth-seeded USC preparing for a rematch with seventh-seeded Oregon in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 at 6:45 p.m. Sunday in Indianapolis, here are six things for Trojans fans to know as they reacquaint themselves with the Ducks:
1. How Oregon got here
The Ducks were one of the Pac-12 teams hardest hit by COVID-19, having two shutdowns due to outbreaks on the roster leading to six cancellations or postponements in seven games at the end of January. But Oregon emerged to win 10 of 12 to win the Pac-12 regular-season title.
After a conference semifinal tournament loss to rival Oregon State, the Ducks received a pass to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after a positive COVID case among opening opponent VCU. If rust was a concern, Oregon shook that off to stun second-seeded Iowa 95-80, making 11 3-pointers and shooting 55.9% from the floor.
2. Balance
All five members of Oregon’s starting lineup average double-digits in scoring, led by 17 points per game from third-team All-American Chris Duarte. The senior guard leads a group that is first in the Pac-12 in 3-point shooting percentage at 38.2%. The starting quintet all averages over 30 minutes per game, too, which makes it a tight rotation for the Ducks.
3. Post disadvantage
Oregon ranks seventh in the Pac-12 in rebounding margin, averaging one more than opponents per game. USC dominated that category during its 14-point over Oregon in February, outrebounding the Ducks 39-25. Guard L.J. Figueroa leads the Ducks with 6.2 per game, with 6-6 forward Eric Williams Jr. averaging 6.0.
4. Veteran team
The Ducks start three seniors and two juniors. In addition to leading-scorer Duarte, senior forward Eugene Omoruyi averages a career-high 16.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in his first season with the Ducks after transferring from Rutgers. Sixth man Amauri Hardy is also a senior, part of a class that went to the Sweet 16 in 2019.
5. Decade plus
Head coach Dana Altman is in his 11th season in charge of the Ducks. Though he never reached the Sweet 16 at his previous coaching stop at Creighton, Altman’s Oregon teams have been the most successful in the Pac-12 during this span, reaching five Sweet 16s, two Elite Eights and a Final Four in 2017. As for Pac-12 success, Altman’s Ducks have won two conference tournaments and four regular-season titles.
6. On the offensive
Oregon ranks 10th nationally in adjusted offense, according to KenPom.com. The Ducks are second in the Pac-12 in average points per game (75.1) and lead the conference in field goal percentage (47.6%).
No. 6 USC vs. No. 7 Oregon
When: 6:45 p.m. PT Sunday
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
TV/Radio: TBS/790 AM
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