Oregon will step outside its comfort zone when the Ducks play at Ohio State on Thursday evening in their first non-West Coast game as a member of the Big Ten.
The No. 15 Ducks (13-2, 2-2) opened conference action in early December against former Pac-12 foes Southern California and UCLA, then hosted Illinois last Thursday and Maryland on Sunday.
“It’s new for our staff, so there’s are always things that are just different,” Oregon coach Dana Altman said, noting he coached against the Buckeyes during his time at Creighton from 1994-2010, although not in Columbus.
“You’re at the same place, with Creighton 16 years, and you go to Indiana State 16 times,” Altman said. “It’s good for a change every now and then. I think it’s exciting for our players. They’re looking forward to it, and like I said, our staff, we just know there’s a lot of new places we’re going to be going to and looking forward to the challenge.”
While traveling across the country can be draining, Oregon may be better rested.
The Buckeyes (10-5, 2-2) had to go to double overtime at Minnesota before winning 89-88 in a game that ended at 12:04 a.m. Columbus time on Tuesday and will be playing their third game in seven days.
“We’ve got to rest,” Ohio State coach Jake Diebler said. “We’ve got a quick turnaround to get ready for this next one.”
John Mobley Jr. played a vital role in the win with a pass underneath to Devin Royal to tie the score at the end of regulation. He also made 3 of 4 free throws down the stretch to force a second OT.
“You’ve got to be tough,” Diebler said of Mobley. “I think he knows I have confidence in him, and I’d like to think that helps. He works at it. As a coach you trust guys who you know are really spending the time. I’m surprised he even missed one (free throw).”
The Ducks, meanwhile, are confident after rallying from a 13-point deficit in the first half against Maryland to win 83-79 in response to a historically bad 109-77 loss to then-No. 22 Illinois earlier in the week. It was the third-most points Oregon allowed in a game and the most in regulation in history for a Ducks’ home game.
Jackson Shelstad led the way against the Terrapins with 23 points to bring his season average to 11.5. He made his first seven shots from the field, including five 3-pointers.
“That’s the Jackson we all know, right?” Oregon’s Keeshawn Barthelemy said. “He plays with confidence, and he’s always probing, always looking for good opportunities for himself and the team as well. (Sunday) was just a good example of what he can do in Big Ten play.”
The Ducks could be rudely welcomed into Big Ten country eight days after Ohio State knocked off the unbeaten Ducks in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal on New Year’s Day.
Expect chants of “just like football” if the basketball Buckeyes win, but Barthelemy said a few taunts from fans is nothing compared to the rugged style of Big Ten basketball.
“I think we’re embracing it,” he said. “The way the games are being officiated is different. I feel like it’s more physical, and it’s good for the sport. I think we’re getting used to it as a West Coast team.”
–Field Level Media
