PREMIUM
Rogers' Afternoon ASSAULT >> 5-1 Start in College Hoops!
(NCAAB) Oregon vs. Baylor,
11/15/2016 10:30 AM, Score: 49 - 66
Point Spread: -1.00 | -106.00 Oregon (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -1.00 | -106.00 Oregon (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: Oregon hosted Baylor a year ago (11/16/15) and beat the Bears 74-67 in what was the first-ever meeting between the schools. Nine NBA scouts were in attendance last year and there is a similar buzz surrounding Tuesday's rematch in Waco as the fourth-ranked Ducks face a Baylor team that appears well-equipped to return to the NCAA tournament for the fourth straight year. Oregon opened the season with an uninspiring 91-77 Friday win over Army, while Baylor beat Oral Roberts 76061 here at home.
Baylor: The Bears lost three starters from last year's 22-12 squad, Prince (15.9-6.1), Gathers (11.2-9.0) and Medford (8.9). Guard Freeman averaged 11.3 PPG last season and opened with 16 points, plus early showings by PG Lecomte (13 points / 10 assists) and the 7-0 Lual-Acuil (12 points / 9 rebounds) have helped lower the concern level. The 6-10 Johnathan Motley (11.1 & 5.1 last year) was a preseason all-Big 12 selection and is set to make his season debut Tuesday after he 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.
Oregon: The Ducks best player is forward Dillon Brooks, who led the Ducks in scoring (16.7) and assists (3.1) last season but he remains out while recovering from surgery on his left foot. Gone are forwards Cook (14.8 & 5.1) and Benjamin (7.8 & 3.0) but the 6-10 Boucher (12.1 & 7.40 and PF Bell (7.0 & 5.4) atr back. Boucher had 14 & 8 vs. Army and Bell 14 & 9 plus six blocks! Guard Dorsey led the way with 21 points and freshman guard Pritchard chipped in 15. 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. "He's not playing to his strengths and he's got a lot of work to do," coach Dana Altman told reporters. "He's been really casual with the ball and he just has to get back to guarding and rebounding. He sat out all year, so he's trying to make-up those 30 games he missed in one night." The Ducks can't wait for Brooks to return up front but along with Boucher and Bell, there is the 6-11 Kavell Bibgy-Williams, who made a strong Oregon debut with seven points and three rebounds in eight minutes off the bench.
The pick: The roles are reversed for this year's meeting between the Ducks and Bears, as last year Baylor was in the top-25 when it lost to Oregon, but now the Ducks are the ranked team in the matchup at No. 4, no less. Is revenge in the air? I say no way, as this Oregon team is for real, even minus Brooks. Oregon is an 8* play.
Baylor: The Bears lost three starters from last year's 22-12 squad, Prince (15.9-6.1), Gathers (11.2-9.0) and Medford (8.9). Guard Freeman averaged 11.3 PPG last season and opened with 16 points, plus early showings by PG Lecomte (13 points / 10 assists) and the 7-0 Lual-Acuil (12 points / 9 rebounds) have helped lower the concern level. The 6-10 Johnathan Motley (11.1 & 5.1 last year) was a preseason all-Big 12 selection and is set to make his season debut Tuesday after he 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.
Oregon: The Ducks best player is forward Dillon Brooks, who led the Ducks in scoring (16.7) and assists (3.1) last season but he remains out while recovering from surgery on his left foot. Gone are forwards Cook (14.8 & 5.1) and Benjamin (7.8 & 3.0) but the 6-10 Boucher (12.1 & 7.40 and PF Bell (7.0 & 5.4) atr back. Boucher had 14 & 8 vs. Army and Bell 14 & 9 plus six blocks! Guard Dorsey led the way with 21 points and freshman guard Pritchard chipped in 15. 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. "He's not playing to his strengths and he's got a lot of work to do," coach Dana Altman told reporters. "He's been really casual with the ball and he just has to get back to guarding and rebounding. He sat out all year, so he's trying to make-up those 30 games he missed in one night." The Ducks can't wait for Brooks to return up front but along with Boucher and Bell, there is the 6-11 Kavell Bibgy-Williams, who made a strong Oregon debut with seven points and three rebounds in eight minutes off the bench.
The pick: The roles are reversed for this year's meeting between the Ducks and Bears, as last year Baylor was in the top-25 when it lost to Oregon, but now the Ducks are the ranked team in the matchup at No. 4, no less. Is revenge in the air? I say no way, as this Oregon team is for real, even minus Brooks. Oregon is an 8* play.
