Oregon Basketball: 2019-20 keys for home victory against USC Trojans

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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PORTLAND, OREGON – NOVEMBER 12: Shakur Juiston #10 of the Oregon Ducks (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Key #2: Controlling the Tempo

These last two seasons Altman has turned to a more controlled style of play on both the offensive and defensive end. He has always utilized his patented full-court press to slow the opponent down after made baskets but has moved that slow style to the offensive end as well.

Oregon ranks 328th in Adjusted Tempo according to KenPom, just a few spots ahead of teams like Villanova and Virginia who have been known as programs that want a minimal amount of possessions. USC is lightning quick in comparison, landing 83rd in the same rankings.

This is key for the Ducks due to the fact of how important Payton Pritchard is to this team. The national player of the year candidate never leaves the floor for this Oregon squad. He ranks among the national leaders in minutes per game at 35.9, only sitting when in foul trouble or the game has gotten out of hand. Oregon is a completely different team without him, and keeping this slow tempo could contribute to keeping their star player on the court and fresh.

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