Category: College Basketball

Alabama 2024-25 Opponent Preview: Oregon Ducks

Alabama will face the Oregon Ducks on Saturday night in the Players Era Festival championship game.

While a majority of the attention Saturday afternoon will be on the Iron Bowl against the Auburn Tigers, let’s not forget that the Alabama Crimson Tide are also set to play for a championship that night in Las Vegas at the Players Era Festival.

Yes, after a pair of victories earlier this week over the Houston Cougars and Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Alabama basketball will conclude their trip to Las Vegas on Saturday night in the event’s championship game, facing off against the Oregon Ducks.

An opponent who is off to a solid start to their season in their own right, here is everything you need to know about the 2024-25 Oregon Ducks:

Oregon Ducks Team Overview

  • Team Name: Oregon Ducks
  • Conference: Big Ten
  • Arena: Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, Oregon
  • Record: 7-0 overall
  • Ranking: Unranked in AP Poll, Unranked in Coaches Poll

The Oregon Ducks are one of the newest members to the Big Ten this season, and are currently sitting undefeated at 7-0 overall. Oregon’s biggest wins up to this point in the season have both come at the Players Era Festival where they defeated both Texas A&M and San Diego State.

Oregon Ducks Coaching Staff

  • Head Coach: Dana Altman
  • Assistant Coach: Tony Stubblefield
  • Assistant Coach: Mike Mennenga
  • Assistant Coach: Brian Fish
  • Assistant Coach: Louis Rowe
  • Assistant Coach: Josh Jamieson

The Ducks are led by long-time head coach Dana Altman, who has been at the helm of the Oregon program since the 2010-11 season. Over that span, Altman has led Oregon to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, as well as 20+ wins in each season.

Oregon Ducks 2024-25 Stats

  • PPG: 81.1 (No. 93 in NCAA)
  • PPG Allowed: 66.9 (No. 92 in NCAA)
  • FG%: 46.6
  • 3P%: 33.1
  • FT%: 74.8
  • RPG: 39.9
  • APG: 16.7
  • SPG: 8.1
  • BPG: 3.9

Oregon comes into Saturday ranking as the nation’s No. 93 overall scoring team at 81.1 PPG, while also sitting No. 92 nationally with 66.9 allowed to opponents. After that, Oregon’s top statistic as a team is assists per game, ranking No. 51 nationally with 16.7.

Oregon Ducks Names to Know

  • Nathan Bittle, Center – Senior
  • TJ Bamba, Guard – Senior
  • Jackson Shelstad, Guard – Sophomore
  • Brandon Angel, Forward – Senior
  • Jadrian Tracey, Guard – Redshirt Senior

Lastly, the Ducks have some experienced players that could make major impacts in this game vs. Alabama, headlined by senior Nathan Bittle who is averaging a near double-double at 14 PPG and 9.4 RPG. Three others are also averaging in double-figures in TJ Bamba, Brandon Angel, and Jackson Shelstad.

Washington wins Acrisure Invitational 76-69 over Santa Clara

The Washington Huskies captured the Acrisure Invitational championship with their fifth straight victory.

A slew of poor turnovers and missed free throws made the final of the Acrisure Invitational closer than it needed to be for the Washington Huskies. Coach Danny Sprinkle’s team struggled to finish the game, sinking just 3 of its 7 free throws in the final five minutes of the contest against the Santa Clara Broncos, but came away with a 76-69 victory.

The tournament victory was the fifth straight win for the Huskies, who improved to 6-1 thanks to the efforts of forward Great Osobor. The Utah State transfer led the Huskies with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals and was named tournament MVP for his efforts in securing the victory.

Freshman Zoom Diallo took a big step forward in his development, contributing 15 points on an efficient 5-9 day from the field. He also pulled down 5 rebounds, adding a block and a steal on defense.

After leading the Huskies in scoring in the last two games, Tyler Harris struggled, finishing the game with just 5 points, going just 1-7 from the field, but adding 6 rebounds. However, DJ Davis picked up the slack with 13 points, 9 of them coming from behind the three-point line.

Next up for the Huskies is the start of Big Ten play. Washington will travel to Los Angeles on December 3 for a matchup with the UCLA Bruins.

Four-star guard commits to USC men’s basketball

Bringing in a quality recruit during the same week in which it endured a blowout loss magnifies the importance of building the next USC basketball roster.

Earlier this week, USC men’s basketball landed a commitment from four-star guard Jerry Easter. This commitment takes on added meaning and significance in light of USC’s 35-point loss to Saint Mary’s on Thursday night. Rosters comprised mostly of transfers will lack early-season continuity and cohesion. Eric Musselman knows he has to build a foundation for the program’s future with quality recruiting, and here’s a really good addition for the Muss Bus.

A 6-4 guard, Easter is from Toledo, Ohio, but attends high school at Link Academy in Stamford, Connecticut. On3 Consensus ranks him as the No. 33 overall player in the class of 2025.

Easter is USC’s first commit of the 2025 class, which will mark the first full recruiting cycle for new head coach Eric Musselman. Musselman took over the program in April after spending the previous five seasons as the head coach at Arkansas.

Given the state of the Trojans’ roster the time of his hiring, Musselman’s 2024-2025 team is made up almost entirely of transfers, as we noted above. Musselman’s 2025 recruiting class will be his first real step towards building the program in his image.

USC currently sits at 5-2 on the 2024-2025 season after the Saint Mary’s on Thanksgiving Night.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, Ducks Wire, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire.

Washington beings to click in 73-67 win over Colorado State

The Washington Huskies advanced to the finals of the Acrisure Invitational.

Coach Danny Sprinkle has been waiting for his Washington Huskies team to break out, and he might have finally gotten it in Palm Springs, California. Through the first five games of the season, the Huskies looked like what they are, a brand-new team that is still learning to play together, but in a 73-67 win over Colorado State at the Acrisure Invitational, they started to show signs of more.

The Huskies shot 44.6 percent from the field, a step up from where they started the year, and a vastly improved 45.5 percent from three-point range. All those improvements started with sophomore Tyler Harris.

Coming off a career-high 27 points against Alcorn State, the Portland transfer dropped 24 to lead all scorers, boosted by a very efficient 5-8 from three-point range. He was also a force on defense, adding 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal to his bottom line.

After Sprinkle challenged him to show more, Great Osobor responded in a big way. Last season’s Mountain West Player of the Year dominated in all aspects of the game against his former conference opponent, posting 16 points, pulling in 8 rebounds, dishing out 7 assists, and bringing in 4 steals.

The Huskies also played with more discipline, showing plenty of improvement on both ends of the floor even though they saw tougher competition, committing just 13 fouls and 10 turnovers. That effort earned them a spot in the Acrisure Invitational final, where they’ll face Santa Clara at 1:30 p.m. PST on Friday.

Dan Hurley’s stunned reaction said it all after UConn lost a third straight game

Dan Hurley is down bad.

Somebody might want to check on UConn head coach Dan Hurley. His team just lost a third consecutive game, and he was so stunned by it all that he seemingly couldn’t bear to watch.

The UConn men’s basketball team is GOING THROUGH IT. The back-to-back champs’ time at the Maui Invitational couldn’t have gone worse. The Huskies lost an overtime stunner to Memphis, partly thanks to Dan Hurley’s sideline antics that drew an ill-timed technical foul. Then, they lost to Colorado, and you guessed it — there were more Hurley shenanigans.

But Wednesday’s loss to the Dayton Flyers stunned the UConn coach. As time expired, cameras caught the moment Hurley was on the sidelines, bent down, putting his head into his hands, seemingly trying to wrap his mind around what just happened.

(Feature image courtesy of ESPN)

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=11290]

Washington Women’s basketball earns 61-43 over Southern University at Pink Flamingo Championship

The Washington Huskies cruised to a 61-43 victory over Southern University at the Pink Flamingo Championship.

The Washington Huskies women’s basketball team cruised to a big win over Southern University in the consolation game of the Pink Flamingo Championship in Nassau, Bahamas, beating the Jaguars 61-43.

Hannah Stines had her second straight double-digit game of the tournament, tallying a season-high 18 points and recording 6 assists. Four Huskies reached double digits, including Stines, Sayvia Sellers, who had 11 points, and Dalaya Daniels and Elle Ladine, who both finished their days with 10.

Head coach Tina Langley had Washington ready to play early, and the Huskies put up outstanding numbers in the first quarter to set the tone, hitting 8 of their 12 field goal attempts, including a 5-7 tally from three-point range, and 3-4 from the free throw ling.

Washington’s defense dominated, and held Southern to a meager 22.7 field goal percentage, as the Huskies finished the game on an impressive 14-0 run, shutting out the Jaguars for the final 5:15 of the game.

The Huskies’ defensive strength and offensive depth have helped improve them to 7-2 on the season. Next, Washington will return home to play its first Big Ten conference game, and will face off with No. 1 UCLA at Alaska
Airlines Arena on Sunday, Dec. 8, with tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC4kqd2JfV3/

 

Debbie Antonelli getting to call her son’s Louisville game for ESPN was so awesome

This is awesome.

Legendary basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli was on the call when her son, Patrick, checked into an Indiana and Louisville matchup, and the moment it happened was awesome.

Despite looking on “extremely anxiously and fidgety” (as her broadcast partner described it), Debbie Antonelli delivered an excellent call just as her son checked in. “Well, it’s definitely a dream come true for Patrick to be at Louisville getting his Master’s degree,” she said. “All I care about him is being around good guys and being around a good coaching staff. And that’s what that’s what he’s got.”

Pretty sweet, right? Well, Antonelli wasn’t too wrapped up in the moment. When Patrick stepped to the line later to hit some free throws after a technical foul, her partner mentioned how he was already a better free-throw shooter than his mom. “No way,” Antonelli quickly retorted. That’s spoken like a true parent. You gotta keep the kids humble.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC4wqYSyJf9/?img_index=2&igsh=MWVzMWZ4eTRwcHZjeQ==

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=11290]

Why JuJu Watkins’ mom still makes her signature bun for every game

Juju Watkins’ mom needs to drop the secret. The bun is always IMMACULATE.

Anytime USC sophomore sensation JuJu Watkins takes the floor, it’s hard to miss her signature high ponytail shaped into a bun. You might wonder how it ALWAYS looks so crisp without a hair out of place.

Here’s the answer: Her mom still does it for her every game.

This is what JuJu recently said when asked why her mom does her hair:

“The fact that everybody’s gonna know my mom does my hair after this…like, I’m getting so much backlash. Listen, this is all I’m gonna say: I’m working on it. I’m trying to get it like that. This woman has 18 years of experience. So, please. Relax. Chill on me for a second.”

It’s hard to replicate something that has CLEARLY been perfected with an ironclad process. So, her (not so) secret is safe with us. But we can’t wait for JuJu to try it on her own. We know the results would be tremendous.

@uninterrupted

JuJu Watkins shares her pregame routine with her mom ❤️ #StateFarmPartner #JuJuWatkins #basketball #USC #SierraCanyon

♬ original sound – uninterrupted

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC2G–hxqb8/?igsh=MTc4OTh5Z2Y5Zjk4cA==

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393237]

Dylan Harper is the most exciting offensive prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft

Dylan Harper looks like a future STAR.

Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper may not go as the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but he has the most potential of any player on offense.

Harper is currently playing in the Players Era Festival tournament in Las Vegas. During a win against Notre Dame on November 26, he scored 36 points. That was the most by any freshman so far this season and it was a breakout performance for the future pro.

Long considered the top lead guard in this draft class, Harper was named Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year. He was honored as the MVP of the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.

The son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr., the 6-foot-6 freshman is playing very well during his first collegiate campaign.

Harper has struggled to finish in transition but has played with excellent efficiency in a set offense. He looks difficult to stop in pick and roll and isolation and can create his own shot with ease, including this vicious dunk that got his father hyped:

He is averaging 4.2 unassisted field goals per game at the rim, per CBB Analytics. Most impressive: No player in Division I men’s college basketball is recording more unassisted field goals made (6.2) per game.

Next up is Kam Jones, a senior from Marquette projected as a potential first-rounder in our latest NBA mock draft, at 5.5 unassisted field goals per game.

The freshman is unafraid to finish at the rim, which is encouraging from a young guard, and it is working. He is shooting an unprecedented 37-of-47 (78.7 percent) near the rim, and while that is hardly sustainable, it is also a huge part of what makes him so appealing.

He is also doing a fantastic job drawing contact at the basket, via CBB Analytics, drawing 2.7 shooting fouls (the most among freshmen) and converting 0.7 and-one attempts per game. Harper attempted 14 free throws versus Notre Dame, which is excellent.

Harper has displayed fantastic court vision and ball control and he has also maintained a very high assist percentage and a low turnover ratio, which are both encouraging traits as a floor general.

Overall, per Bart Torvik, his points over replacement per game is among the highest on record from a freshman in a high-major conference since 2008.

Even if Duke prospect Cooper Flagg hears his name called first in this class, defense is his primary trait that excites evaluators. But for Harper, any NBA team that is looking to improve their offense will rush to the podium if he is available when they are on the clock.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=462925]

Top 40 prospect Niko Bundalo joins Washington’s 2025 class

Danny Sprinkle added one of the nation’s top prospects to an already promising 2025 class.

The Washington Huskies earned a pledge from one of the nation’s top prospects on Wednesday morning when four-star forward Niko Bundalo announced his commitment to Danny Sprinkle’s coaching staff.

Ranked as the nation’s No. 27 prospect and No. 8 power forward by 247Sports, the 6-foot-10, 215-pound product of Prolific Prep in Northern California brings a big boost to Washington’s 2025 class, which already holds four-star guards Courtland Muldrew and JJ Mandaquit.

“I just think the coaching staff and the style of play fit,” Bundalo told 247Sports’ Eric Bossi. “For Coach Sprinkle, the four-man plays the most minutes, and he has one of the highest usage rates for his fours of any coach in the NCAA right now. I just think it’s a great opportunity for me to go in there where Great Osobor is on his way out the door. He’s a great player, but him leaving and me getting a chance at that spot off the rip is a great opportunity for my development.”

Osobor’s usage in his one season with the Huskies was a big selling point, as was Sprinkle’s development plan.

“I think a lot of it is being a versatile player,” he continued. “I think Sprinkle sees a lot for me. Just getting the ball off the rim and doing things. We talk about me initiating sets and being a high-level passer off the dribble and off the catch in my zone and my spots. I think with me and Coach Sprinkle, it’s going to be a relationship that’s very fluid where I can do whatever it takes to win. Whether we need a scorer, a good screener, a good rebounder, I feel like I have an opportunity to do it all.”

This win for Sprinkle’s coaching staff can’t be understated, as Bundalo took official visits to UConn, North Carolina, and Michigan State and picked the Huskies over 35 other offers.