Oregon Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Ducks

Non-Conference Schedule Highlights

Nov 23-26: PK 80 Tournament

Dec. 1: Boise St

Dec. 8: Colorado St

Dec. 16: @ Fresno St

On paper, Oregon’s non-conference slate is pretty disappointing. The Ducks are participating in the PK 80 which is the strongest in-season tournament, but they will not face an at-large caliber team outside of that event.

Their first-round matchup versus UConn will be crucial for the strength of their non-conference. The Ducks need to win and advance into the winner’s bracket where they will face tougher teams that will give them chances of earning a coveted marquee win.

UNC, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Michigan State are all possible opponents if Oregon can knock off UConn. Michigan State is clearly the best team in the field led by a star sophomore in Miles Bridges and a future lottery pick in Jaren Jackson. The Spartans are a veteran team with two potential high NBA draft picks which makes their high preseason rating justified.

UNC will be a tough team even without Joel Berry. While it is unclear if Berry will be available for the PK 80, his absence could give Oregon a nice opportunity to grab a quality win. Oklahoma and Arkansas will both be tough games, but the Ducks should be favored in both theoretical matchups. A 2-1 finish in the PK 80 would be a step in the right direction for Oregon.

Oregon has three December games against top half Mountain West teams. Boise State and Colorado State are solid teams who could crack the top-100 and give the Ducks a slight resume boost. Fresno St should compete for the MWC crown with SDSU and Nevada and playing them on the road will be no easy task.

Oregon has little margin for error with this schedule, especially when you consider that the Pac-12 may only have four or five top-50 teams. This limits Oregon’s opportunities of grabbing the necessary wins to build a strong resume. The Ducks need to beat UConn and can only tolerate two losses at the absolute most.