Instant Recap: Oregon drops fourth straight at #24 Michigan 76-80

The Oregon Ducks have had a few days to hopefully regroup before facing a ranked Wolverines squad in Ann Arbor. Potentially the Ducks are down a key player in Jadrian Tracey, who is questionable with an undisclosed injury. Oregon is desperate for a win right now, currently on a three game skid. Unfortunately for them, their next two games are ranked opponents, on the road. Both Michigan tonight and Michigan State on Saturday will be Quad 1 opportunities. The Ducks are still 2nd for the most Quad 1 wins in the country, but could use a lift with an upset of a ranked team.

Over the last three games, Oregon has only led for 1:08 of gametime, disgusting.

Starting Lineups:

Oregon will start: Jackson Shelstad, TJ Bamba, Keeshawn Barthelemy, Brandon Angel, and Nate Bittle. The Wolverines will start: Tre Donaldson, Nimari Burnett, Roddy Gayle Jr, Danny Wolf, and Vlad Goldin.

Second straight game with Barthelemy starting. In the last game, Keeshawn was very quickly subbed out for Jadrian Tracey. Worth noting, Tracey is ACTIVE tonight.

First Half:

Brandon Angel gets the Ducks started with a putback layup off of the TJ Bamba miss. Jackson Shelstad has an early five points for the Ducks. Seem to be playing a little bit better.

Oregon has led for 3:11 tonight, compared to the 1:08 they have led in the previous three games. Ducks up 7-5 with 15:11 left in the first half.

After an 8-2 run by Michigan, the Wolverines lead 13-11 over Oregon at the second media timeout. 11:54 remains in the half, Ducks have had some solid looks and haven’t converted. Defense has been playing poorly over the past few minutes as well.

Back to back threes from Michigan has them up 21-16 now, Nate Bittle already with 2 turnovers.

Michigan in the middle of an 11-0 run and the Ducks trail 16-26 now with 7:57 left in the half.

Jackson Shelstad has been aggressive and very good this evening, he is up to 12 points. If Oregon could play some defense right now, they’d have a very good chance. Ducks trail 33-37 with 2:35 left in the half. Nate Bittle and Kwame Evans Jr both have two fouls. Also worth noting that the Ducks have done a better job thus far at grabbing rebounds, tied at 14 a piece.

Keeshawn Barthelemy hits a triple and the Ducks trail by 1.

Ducks trail 36-41 at the half. Horrific last possession on both sides of the ball.

First Half Stats:

Oregon has only been called for five fouls through one half, but there are 2 a piece on Bittle and Evans Jr. The Ducks are shooting 15/33 (45.5%) from the field, 6/12 (50%) from downtown, and are yet to get free throws. The Wolverines have shot splits of 16/34 (47.1%), 6/16 (37.5%), and 3/4 (75%) from the field, 3-point, and charity stripe, respectively.

Oregon needs to tighten up defensively, giving up too many wide open looks. However, I’ve loved their effort on the boards, despite losing the rebound battle 16-19. Oregon must find a way to continue shooting well, get to the line, and play some better defense as previously mentioned, which is easier said than done.

Second Half:

Ducks fouling way too much to start out the second half, three fouls in three minutes of play. Keeshawn Barthelemy is up to 13 points to bring the Ducks back within 5 before Tre Donaldson drills a three right back. Oregon would then immediately turn the ball over.

Ducks down 10, 43-53 with 15:53 to play.

Jackson Shelstad hits a three pointer, and the Ducks still trail by 11.

Jadrian Tracey is now 4/23 from deep over his last 7 1/2 games, ugly.

The defensive intensity has now picked up over the last few possessions, but Oregon still trails 54-64 with 11:36 to go.

An absolutely awful flagrant foul is called on Brandon Angel, looked like a clear flop by Vlad Goldin and a basketball play.

Ducks have a bit of a run, cutting the deficit to 7. Oregon trails 63-70 with 7:56 to go. Nate Bittle drills a huge 3-pointer, suddenly a four point game.

Oregon calls timeout down 66-72 with 5:47 to play. Ducks are currently on an 8-2 run over the last 3:21.

Oregon fighting hard, best defensive effort I’ve seen in a while. Down only four with a little over 4 to go. Still down 68-72 with 3:39 to go at the under four media timeout.

Ducks have cut the game to only a two point difference with the Jackson Shelstad free throws.

Oregon down 72-76 with 1:15 to go, Jackson Shelstad has missed his last 3. Both teams are shooting 44% from the field and sub 37% from deep. Michigan has 10 more free throws than the Ducks.

TJ Bamba makes both transition free throws, 2 point game. Oregon fails to get a rebound after the Wolf miss, he is then fouled and makes both free throws, Wolverines up 4. Keeshawn Barthelemy is fouled and connects on both free throws, 2 point game. Dana Altman calls timeout, one more timeout remaining. Michigan unable to get the ball in and has to call timeout.

Michigan burns a ton of time off the clock before Roddy Gayle Jr is fouled with 8.3 to play. Gayle makes both and Brandon Angel drives the ball instead of shooting a three, while down 4.

Oregon falls 76-80. Now fall to 5-7 in conference play and 16-7 overall.