Busting Brackets
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Oregon Basketball: 2019-20 keys to beating the Memphis Tigers

By Connor Hope

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: The Oregon Ducks mascot celebrates after defeating the UC Irvine Anteaters during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019 in San Jose, California. Oregon defeated UC Irvine 73-54. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: The Oregon Ducks mascot celebrates after defeating the UC Irvine Anteaters during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019 in San Jose, California. Oregon defeated UC Irvine 73-54. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks takes a shot against Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks takes a shot against Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

Oregon Basketball takes on the Memphis Tigers in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the week. What can the Ducks do to top the talented young Tigers team?

After a few days of relatively uneven matchups, No.14 Oregon Basketball and the No.13 Memphis Tigers meet in the first matchup between two ranked teams since opening night’s Champions Classic. While this game had promised to be excellent prior to the season, several storylines have arisen which gives this matchup even more intrigue.

For the Ducks, this game could help to continue the Pac-12 early non-conference dominance and secure their spot as a Top 25 team. If they can win this game, or even keep it competitive, Oregon will continue to prove that they belong in the conversation for early season Final Four contenders, especially with N’Faly Dante expected to return for Pac-12 play.

For the Tigers, the uncertainty surrounding star freshman James Wiseman’s eligibility could make this one of the last games he is able to play at the collegiate level. He is set to have his case heard in court next week, and there is no guarantee that the NCAA’s decision is overturned.

Memphis’ decision to play Wiseman during this uncertainty puts Oregon at a huge disadvantage in the paint, and they will need to find innovative ways to limit the effect the center has on the outcome. So what must the Ducks do to have a shot at winning this game?

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