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Oregon center Nate Bittle 'feels better' but has yet to return to practice for Ducks

Jarrid Denneyby:Jarrid Denney•02/20/24•

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© Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

There is still no exact timetable on when, or if, Oregon starting center Nate Bittle will be able to return to the court for the Ducks.

Bittle, who has not played in a game since Jan. 27 due to illness, was unable to attend practice or class over the past few weeks. While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, head coach Dana Altman said Bittle was able to make it to Matthew Knight Arena for that afternoon’s practice but did not participate.

“He feels better, which is good. They’re still running some tests,” Altman said. “But he just doesn’t feel good. He’s lost weight. Lost strength. He’s still out. He hasn’t practiced; he was at practice today, but he hasn’t practiced.

“So, no definitive word yet.”

Bittle a projected starter for the Ducks this season, was sidelined for nine weeks due to a wrist injury he suffered in November. He returned in late January and started Oregon’s win over Arizona State and loss to Arizona.

But he has not played for the past five games due to an undisclosed illness.

In five games this season, Bittle is averaging 10.0 points and 4.4 rebounds on 48.7% shooting.

With Bittle, senior guard Jesse Zarzuela (ankle), senior guard Keeshawn Barthelemy (ankle), and freshman forward Mookie Cook (ankle/foot) all sidelined, the Ducks have been rolling with just eight scholarship players for the past several weeks.

During last Saturday’s win over Oregon State, walk-ons Gabe Reichel and James Cooper both saw playing time during the first half.

“It’s gonna be game-to-game,” Altman said of how Oregon’s rotation will take shape over the next few weeks. “Score and time will matter. … I think we have to keep watching it, especially with a Thursday and Saturday game now it will be different; next week we’ve got a Wednesday and Saturday. So, it’s gonna vary game-to-game, week-to-week.”

Altman was also asked about the status of Zarzuela, who transferred to Oregon from Central Michigan last spring but played in just five games this winter before suffering a season-ending foot injury.

“I said it right away: Jesse was brought in late for us for one year. I’m sure he’ll get the (redshirt) year back, but he won’t be back here. We brought him in late, we wanted an experienced guard. But we signed (Vyctorius Miller) early to kind of replace him, and we don’t have a scholarship.

“He’ll get another year, but he won’t be back at Oregon.”

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