Oregon's Nate Bittle nearing return from injury ahead of pivotal road trip
The Oregon men’s basketball team is off to one of its strongest starts in recent memory, despite facing an early-season injury crisis.
Now, ahead of one of their toughest road trips of the season, the Ducks (13-3, 5-0 Pac-12) are close to being back to full strength.
Junior center Nate Bittle, who suffered a broken wrist on Nov. 18, could potentially return for Oregon’s upcoming trip to face Colorado (Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m. PT) and Utah (Jan. 21, noon PT).
Bittle recently returned to practice, head coach Dana Altman said during a Zoom press conference on Wednesday. The standout big man was expected to be reevaluated by Oregon’s medical staff later that afternoon to determine if he would be available to play in a game this week.
“He’s worked in practice the last couple of days; not everything but he’s getting closer,” Altman said. “I know he’s meeting with some trainers today to get exactly what they think he can do moving forward. But I wouldn’t anticipate him playing this weekend. He might play a little bit, depending on what they say today.”
In three games this season, Bittle is averaging 13 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. He averaged 7.3 points and 5.1 rebounds last season and produced his best performances toward the end of the year, after locking down a role in the Ducls’ starting lineup.
Altman noted that Bittle has been participating in conditioning drills, but did not try to downplay the significance of the lengthy injury layoff.
“You’re out eight weeks,” Altman said, “it’s pretty tough to bounce back right away.”
A former five-star signee, the 7-foot Bittle was the No. 24 overall prospect in the 2021 signing class according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
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Last week, all-conference center N’Faly Dante returned to the court after being sidelined for nine weeks due to a knee injury. He played 17 minutes off the bench and tallied eight points and two rebounds.
Altman said Dante is expected to play “16 or 17” minutes once again on Thursday.
Earlier this month, four-star freshman forward Mookie Cook made his college debut after missing the first two months of the season due to an ankle injury.
The Ducks will have their hands full against a Colorado squad that has been one of the best in the conference so far this season. The Buffs (12-5, 3-3) sit at No. 43 in the NET rankings — third-highest among Pac-12 schools.
Traditionally, Oregon has struggled to find success in Boulder. The Ducks have won just one of their last nine games there.
“Offensively, they’re really good,” Altman said. “You look at their numbers, they’re shooting 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. Really experienced team that plays well together. Offensively, they’re really good.”
