[3:30 PM] #4 Oregon @ Baylor

Who will WIN this matchup?

#4 Oregon Ducks (1-0)

@ Baylor Bears (1-0)

 

• The line for this game is Oregon by 1 point.

• When Oregon hosted Baylor a year ago in the first-ever meeting between the teams, nine NBA scouts were in attendance as the upstart Ducks recorded a 74-67 victory. A similar buzz surrounds Tuesday’s rematch in Waco as the fifth-ranked Ducks face a Baylor team that appears well-equipped to return to the NCAA tournament for the fourth straight year.

• Expectations remain high for senior guard Dylan Ennis, who missed most of last season with a broken foot but struggled in the opener on 0-for-8 shooting with four turnovers. The Ducks have plenty of size near the basket with Bell suiting up next to 6-foot-10 star Chris Boucher and 6-foot-11 Kavell Bibgy-Williams, who made a strong Oregon debut with seven points and three rebounds in eight minutes off the bench.

• The Bears lost three starters from last year’s 22-12 squad and have just one senior on their roster, but early showings by Lecomte and Lual-Acuil have helped lower the concern level. Preseason all-Big 12 selection Johnathan Motley is set to make his season debut Tuesday after the 6-foot-10 junior forward missed the opener due to suspension. Motley’s presence will be critical against Oregon’s impressive frontcourt, but the Bears will also need stellar play around the basket from forwards Ish Wainright and Terry Maston, who had six points and nine boards off the bench in the opener.

• Boucher and Dorsey combined for 27 points and 14 rebounds in last season’s win over the Bears.

• Baylor is 101-13 when leading at the half since 2011-12.

• Oregon forward Dillon Brooks, who led the Ducks in scoring and assists last season, remains out while recovering from surgery on his left foot.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Oregon Ducks

Confidence: 5/10

Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Previous Pick
Next Pick