Purdue got fairly lucky over these last two games as they were coming off a three game losing streak but found themselves facing the Maryland Terrapins and the Oregon Ducks in back to back games. They each sit at the bottom of the conference 1-10 in conference play a piece. Purdue easily dismantled the Terrapins in their last game and will now return home to Mackey Arena to face the Ducks. So, before Oregon wades into town it’s time to get to know who Purdue will be facing tomorrow afternoon.
Oregon is limping into Mackey Arena having won just one game in the calendar year 2026. That was their first game of the year on January 2nd against who else but fellow basement dweller Maryland. Since then? 0-8. All Big Ten games. Of those 8 losses, only the loss to Rutgers, in overtime, was within a loss by less than 10 points. It’s been rough going for the Ducks in this Big Ten season. They average 72 points per game with Nate Bittle, the 7’0” 220 pound senior leading the way with 16.3 points per game. He also chips in 6.7 rebounds per game. With Oscar Cluff being listed as 255 that gives Cluff a good 35 pounds on him and should allow Cluff to play a bit of bully ball down low.
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Stop me if you’ve heard this one. Oregon doesn’t shoot the three ball very well. As a team they shoot just 32% from three. Keep an eye on Sean Stewart who shoots a scorching 100% from three on a total of…1-1 on the season. Who knows, Purdue is always good for one player going off from three. But in all seriousness, Oregon does not have a single shooter that goes for 40% from three on the season with Stewart being the exception. Purdue will likely continue to force their opponents into shots from deep and this time the percentages might work out in Purdue’s favor.
This is a game that Purdue can and should win. Oregon is not a good basketball team and Purdue is trying to find its sea legs after getting away from that three game losing streak. Tomorrow in Mackey Arena at 1:00 PM we will see if what Purdue did to Maryland on the road will carry over to this matchup against the Ducks.
