Busting Brackets
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March Madness 2019: Top dark horse candidates from each region

By Brian Rauf

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Ehab Amin #4 of the Oregon Ducks starts a fast break ahead of teammates Payton Pritchard #3 and Louis King #2 against the Washington Huskies during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Ehab Amin #4 of the Oregon Ducks starts a fast break ahead of teammates Payton Pritchard #3 and Louis King #2 against the Washington Huskies during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Kenny Wooten #14 and Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Kenny Wooten #14 and Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

South Region: (12) Oregon Ducks

The Pac-12 was terrible this year and I don’t blame you if you haven’t been paying much attention out west. However, if you haven’t, you’ve missed this incredible stretch the Ducks have been on.

Needing to win the Pac-12 Tournament to earn a berth in the Big Dance, Oregon reeled off four straight wins in four days to do just that. Now they enter the NCAA Tournament on an eight-game win streak and as perhaps the hottest team in the country.

What has caused this turnaround for the Ducks? Their defense.

Since losing to UCLA on Feb. 23, Oregon has held seven of their eight opponents to 61 points or less, which allowed them to win six of those games by double digits. Their length and athleticism has worked to their advantage as they’re among the nation’s best teams at defending the three and at protecting the rim.

When you’re among the nation’s best in the two main areas the opposition wants to attack, you’re going to have a good chance to win every game.

Another major factor in Oregon’s turnaround is the play of Payton Pritchard. He averaged 19.3 points and 6.7 assists per game over the Ducks’ last three contests and, when he’s a scoring and playmaking threat, Oregon’s offense completely opens up.

They will get a Wisconsin team in the first round that struggles offensively already, and I have a hard time believing they’ll be able to score enough to win against Oregon’s defense. Then, in a potential second round game, the Ducks might face a Kansas State team that is dealing with an injury to their best player in Dean Wade. Oh yeah, they struggle to score, too.

Given Oregon’s recent hot streak and the matchups they are expected to have in their weekend pod, don’t be surprised to see the Ducks in the Sweet 16.

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