Oregon Basketball: 2019-20 takeaways from loss to Utah Utes

Oregon Basketball: 2019-20 takeaways from road win over Utah Utes

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 28: Head coach Dana Altman of the Oregon Ducks reacts against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at the KFC YUM! Center on March 28, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

1. Pritchard still stirs the drink

After a somewhat slow start in the game against Utah, Pritchard looked like he was in a tough matchup against freshman Rylan Jones. However, Pritchard took over down the stretch. Pritchard willed his team to victory, despite having his nose stuffed to stop the bleeding for the last four and a half minutes after a head-to-head collision with Allen.

Pritchard similarly had a slow start at Colorado. But in Boulder, the Ducks comeback effort fell short. Pritchard finished the game there with 21 points and three assists.

Despite the other talent on the Ducks’ team, the point guard is still the straw. The aforementioned Duarte is averaging 12.1 ppg and 5.0 rpg. Fellow senior and Pritchard high school teammate, Anthony Mathis, contributes 10.5 points and Richardson chips in 10.1.

Still, the 6’1 Pritchard is ranked #8 in KenPom’s national player of the year ranking. The four-year starter, including a Final Four and Sweet 16 appearance, is averaging 18.6 ppg, 6.0 apg, and 4.4 rpg while turning over the ball only 2.7 times per game.

More importantly, he is the undisputed leader on the floor. His tenacity was evident in the final minutes of this victory at Utah. The Ducks go as Pritchard goes.

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