Instant Recap: Oregon gets blown out by Illinois 77-109

The Oregon Ducks hosted a major challenge in the form of the No. 22 team in the land, Illinois. This matchup is experience vs. youth. Illinois enters this evening as the No. 10 team in the NET rankings while Oregon is No. 11.

First Half:

Angel, Bittle, Tracey,, Shelstad, and Bamba for the Ducks starting lineup. White, Jakucionas, Ivisic, Boswell, and Humrichous for the Illini.

Nate Bittle knocks down a three pointer, Morez Johnson didn’t contest. Oregon leading 7-2 with 15:53 to go in the first half.

Oregon giving absolutely zero resistance against driving guards right now, Illinois is on a 12-0 run. Dana Altman calls a timeout with 13:09 with Oregon trailing 7-14.

Nate Bittle scores a tough shot on the inside and then records his 24th block of the season on Will Riley. Oregon still trailing 9-14 as we head to another media timeout. 11:33 to play in the first half at Matthew Knight Arena. Ducks are currently shooting 4/15 (26.7%) from the field, and 1/4 (25%) from deep. Have done a good job of playing defense against the Illinois starters, but not the reserves.

Ra’Heim Moss picks up his first foul of the game with 10:54 left in the half. A possession later Jakucionas picks up his second foul, that could become a major storyline.

It felt like Oregon was getting back into this one and then all of a sudden Illinois goes on a mini-run, 6-0. TJ Bamba hits a three, and then again Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn stays hot with another make.

Beautiful pass from KJ Evans for another Supreme Cook slam. Morez Johnson picks up his second foul of the game, he heads to the bench. Oregon ball down 26-35 with 4:52 left in the half.

Kwame Evans Jr knocks down a triple and the MKA crowd is getting loud. Ducks have cut the Illini lead to 5, 32-37. Only Kwame’s 5th three pointer of the season. TJ Bamba called for his first foul seconds later.

Kwame Evans Jr picks up his second foul on a questionable call that nearly gave Oregon a fastbreak. Kylan Boswell drills another three from nearly the logo and Dana Altman calls timeout. Ducks trail 36-45, 44 seconds remain in the half.

Ducks trail 38-45 at the half, a lot of work to do in the second half. Illinois has 23 points from their bench and Oregon only has 11. Illinois has a slight advantage on the boards, 21-19 and the difference are both offensive rebounds.

Jake Davis and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn are leading the way for Illinois with twelve, and eleven points respectively. Nobody else has more than six, but three players for the Illini have six. Nate Bittle has eleven to lead the way for the Ducks.

Second Half:

The same story has continued so far in the second half, Illinois will not miss from deep now. This game has gotten extremely ugly, Oregon now trails 49-67 with 14:08 remaining in the game. Ra’Heim Moss got hurt on the last possession, looks like he’s trying to walk it off.

Oregon now on a 9-2 run over the last 2:27, until Kylan Boswell makes 1/2 free throws. Jackson Shelstad has a crazy layup in the fastbreak, Kwame Evans Jr with a big lock and then a tough layup on the other end. Right when Illinois needs a bucket the most, it’s another three from Kylan Boswell all the way from Champaign.

The Ducks have completely given up on defense and find themselves down by 24 points with 7:27 remaining. Really disgusting game from Oregon all game on the defensive side and they’ve played mostly good defense all season.

Potentially the final media timeout, Ducks trailing 71-98 with 3:38 to go. Illinois shooting 56% from the field and 53% from deep. The fighting Illini also are out-rebounding the Ducks 38-29. Somehow need to have a short memory and wipe this game out of your mind. Ducks will face Maryland on Sunday afternoon back at MKA.

Ducks lose 109-77, time to hit the reset button. What a horrific start for Oregon Athletics in 2025.