Instant Recap: #23 Oregon falls to #7 Michigan State 64-74

After defeating the Indiana Hoosiers yesterday, 72-59, the Ducks are back in action at Noon EST against top-seeded Michigan State. Oregon led at half by 14 in East Lansing against the Spartans on February 8th, but were outscored 24-50 in the second half, losing by twelve.

Starters:

Michigan State will start Jeremy Fears Jr, Jaden Akins, Jase Richardson, Jaxon Kohler, and Szymon Zapala. Oregon rolling out with the lineup they’ve used since the midway point in the season. That being; Shelstad, Bamba, Barthelemy, Angel, and Bittle.

First Half:

Nate Bittle picks up his first foul in the first two minutes, that is not good to say the least. 8-0 run for Michigan State to start before Nate Bittle throws down a dunk to get the Ducks on the board. At the first media timeout, Oregon trails 4-10 with 15:38 left in the first half. Oregon is not getting quality looks and haven’t done enough to pull down rebounds.

Keeshawn Barthelemy buries a deep three to cut the deficit to only 1. Brandon Angel picks up his first foul, Altman wanted an offensive foul on Richardson. Supreme Cook is fouled and heads to the line for two. Cook is able to make both, and we are tied at 15.

Bamba, tough transition lay and the Ducks lead. Only for a few seconds however as Jaden Akins was left wide-open and connects on a 3-pointer. Shelstad’s layup makes it a one point game again before Jeremy Fears Jr gets the floater to fall for MSU. Ducks trail 19-22 with 9:19 left in the half. All knotted up at 22 after the Nate Bittle 3-pointer, again short lived after another floater, this time from Tre Holloman.

Brandon Angel and-1, he’ll shoot the free throw after the media timeout. Tied at 24 a piece, 7:35 to go in the first half. Bittle leads the Ducks with 7 points, Akins for the Spartans with 7 as well. Angel completes the three point play and the Ducks lead 25-24. As I’ve had to say several times, it was short-lived as Coen Carr hits a 3-pointer. Bamba with a huge 3-pointer and the Ducks are back ahead by 1.

And-1 for Ra’Heim Moss, free throw coming after the media timeout. Moss can tie the game at 31 with a make. Unable to convert from the line, Ducks trail by 1 with 3:36 to go in the half.

Things are getting ugly as the Spartans have pieced together good offensive and defensive possessions. For Oregon, they are getting hosed on every call it feels like. Down 8 with 1:17 to play in the half.

Oregon trails Michigan State 32-42 at the Half. Clean up the offensive rebounds, get more movement on offense, and the Ducks can be more competitive in this one. Can only control what you can control, the refs aren’t part of that.

Nate Bittle must find a way to grab some rebounds, the Ducks cannot stay in this game without him being involved on the boards. Oregon as a team is losing the rebounding battle 9-18, and 0-7 on offensive rebounds. Also worth noting, Oregon didn’t make a field goal for the final 2:28 of the half.

Second Half:

Ducks going on a nice run here to start the 2nd half, and Oregon fans are getting loud. Ducks only down 4 points, 38-42. Shelstad called for his third foul, that could loom large. Nate Bittle gets a tough layup, plus the foul. Cannot convert the and-1 however, and it stays a 4-point game. Keeshawn Barthelemy connects on a HUGE 3-pointer and the Ducks only trail by 1 with 15:33 left.

Ducks trail 43-50 with 12:50 remaining, still allowing Michigan State to get offensive rebounds. Just like that, 10-point game and this one is quickly getting away from the Ducks. Timeout again, Oregon trailing 43-54 with 11:39 to play.

Kwame Evans Jr makes both free throws, but the Ducks still trail by 14. TJ Bamba calls timeout to retain possession for the Ducks after the steal, 45-59 with 10:08 to go. Michigan State is on a 17-4 run over the last 7:15, absolutely brutal for Oregon.

49-61 with 7:30 to play in Gainbridge for the right to play tomorrow in the Big Ten Semifinal, these last few minutes will determine which team truly wants it.

Nate Bittle gets the hook shot, plus the foul. He’s fighting but the Ducks have to get rebounds and stops if they want to win. Bittle is able to convert the and-1, down 9 with 4:25 to play. Ducks had a bit of momentum before a Bittle pass into the first row derails that. Media timeout, Oregon still trailing 57-66 with 3:45 to go here in Indianapolis.

Timeout Oregon, the last one for the Ducks. They trail Michigan State 60-70 with 2:03 on the game clock. It’s a 64-71 game with 51.1 seconds and Michigan State will get free throws for the Flagrant 1 on TJ Bamba.

Ducks fall to the top-seeded Spartans 64-74 to end their stay in Indianapolis. Oregon will now wait to see what seed they end up with and their matchup, on Sunday. Will work on their rebounding for certain and trying to get Shelstad back on track.