Oregon men's basketball beats Colorado in Pac-12 Championship; earns NCAA Tournament berth
LAS VEGAS: Oregon is off to the NCAA Tournament.
With one last shot to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, the Ducks traveled to Las Vegas this past week. All they required was that.
Oregon defeated Colorado 75-68 in the Pac-12 Tournament title game on Saturday night to wrap up their 3-0 campaign and secure the conference's automatic ticket into the NCAA Tournament.
The fourth-seeded Ducks (23-11) earned their first Pac-12 title since 2019 and sixth overall in front of 12,912 fans at T-Mobile Arena. When CBS unveils the 68-team bracket on Sunday at 3 p.m., they will find out where they will play in the NCAA Tournament.
With one last shot to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, the Ducks traveled to Las Vegas this past week. All they required was that.
Oregon defeated Colorado 75-68 in the Pac-12 Tournament title game on Saturday night to wrap up their 3-0 campaign and secure the conference's automatic ticket into the NCAA Tournament.
The fourth-seeded Ducks (23-11) earned their first Pac-12 title since 2019 and sixth overall in front of 12,912 fans at T-Mobile Arena. When CBS unveils the 68-team bracket on Sunday at 3 p.m., they will find out where they will play in the NCAA Tournament.
N’Faly Dante dominates again
The Oregon center was selected the tournament's most outstanding player after three great performances.
It was his best show to date on Saturday.
Dante scored a career-high 25 points while going 12-for-12 from the field. Along with his three steals, he also had a game-high nine rebounds. With 35 seconds remaining and the Ducks leading 72-66, he decisively blocked Colorado's KJ Simpson's 3-point attempt.
"N'Faly Dante was the game's difference, in my opinion," Colorado coach Tad Boyle stated. ".. He seemed like a beast to me tonight.
This week, the fifth-year senior will participate in his first NCAA Tournament match. When the Ducks last participated in the tournament in 2021, Dante, a sophomore, was sidelined due to a knee injury.
Since I started at Oregon, I've wanted to do that, Dante stated. "I'm happy I can contribute to my team's success."
Dante averaged 20.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and was a total 25-for-30 from the field in the three Pac-12 Tournament games.
Oregon coach Dana Altman stated, "Probably ought to get him the ball more." He puts a lot of strain on defenders and then provides us with a rim protector that requires awareness of his location. He makes a difference. As I mentioned earlier, his ability to bounce back from operations and maintain his strength of character speaks volumes about him.
It was his best show to date on Saturday.
Dante scored a career-high 25 points while going 12-for-12 from the field. Along with his three steals, he also had a game-high nine rebounds. With 35 seconds remaining and the Ducks leading 72-66, he decisively blocked Colorado's KJ Simpson's 3-point attempt.
"N'Faly Dante was the game's difference, in my opinion," Colorado coach Tad Boyle stated. ".. He seemed like a beast to me tonight.
This week, the fifth-year senior will participate in his first NCAA Tournament match. When the Ducks last participated in the tournament in 2021, Dante, a sophomore, was sidelined due to a knee injury.
Since I started at Oregon, I've wanted to do that, Dante stated. "I'm happy I can contribute to my team's success."
Dante averaged 20.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and was a total 25-for-30 from the field in the three Pac-12 Tournament games.
Oregon coach Dana Altman stated, "Probably ought to get him the ball more." He puts a lot of strain on defenders and then provides us with a rim protector that requires awareness of his location. He makes a difference. As I mentioned earlier, his ability to bounce back from operations and maintain his strength of character speaks volumes about him.
Dante didn’t do it alone
Shelstad and Jermaine Couisnard, two guards who were selected to the all-tournament team, had excellent weeks in Las Vegas as well, particularly in the matchup with the Buffaloes.
Shelstad got five rebounds and 17 points. With 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists, Couisnard was efficient.
Couisnard averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists over the course of the three games. Shelstad had a 16.7 point average.
Down to the wire on Saturday night, they were just as significant as anybody.
After leading 33–30 at the half, the Ducks and Buffaloes engaged in a back-and-forth game in which there were seven lead changes and five ties.
Shelstad got five rebounds and 17 points. With 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists, Couisnard was efficient.
Couisnard averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists over the course of the three games. Shelstad had a 16.7 point average.
Down to the wire on Saturday night, they were just as significant as anybody.
After leading 33–30 at the half, the Ducks and Buffaloes engaged in a back-and-forth game in which there were seven lead changes and five ties.
At 4:51 in the game, Luke O'Brien's 3-pointer gave Colorado their final lead, 62–61.
After there, it was all Ducks as they went on a 14-4 run to win the game and led 75-66 before Cody Williams of Colorado made a basket with just seconds remaining.
The Ducks then celebrated in the vicinity of center court before tearing down the nets, which were a prize that Couisnard and Tracey had worn around their necks during their post-game press conferences.
According to Couisnard, "it was just something I always dreamed of." "Merely triumphing. The guys that got together at the start of the year, and we noted this on the board, seem like that to me.
After there, it was all Ducks as they went on a 14-4 run to win the game and led 75-66 before Cody Williams of Colorado made a basket with just seconds remaining.
The Ducks then celebrated in the vicinity of center court before tearing down the nets, which were a prize that Couisnard and Tracey had worn around their necks during their post-game press conferences.
According to Couisnard, "it was just something I always dreamed of." "Merely triumphing. The guys that got together at the start of the year, and we noted this on the board, seem like that to me.
Ducks came to Las Vegas as long shots
Since the Buffaloes halted a six-game winning streak on January 18, Oregon had not won three in a row. Only once since then had Oregon won two in a row.
Subsequently, the Ducks were drawn to play three teams that they had a combined record of 1-5 against in the regular season: No. 3 Colorado, No. 1 Arizona, and No. 5 UCLA. Colorado had already upset Oregon twice, most recently two weeks prior at Matthew Knight Arena.
Put differently, Oregon appeared destined to return home early and prepare for their third consecutive trip to the National Invitation Tournament.
"Belief," stated Couisnard. That is the term. Faith. Coming down here, we understood exactly what we had to accomplish. We were aware that we needed to win three straight. Everyone simply had to set aside their differences and do everything it took to help us win.
"Just having faith in our coaches as well," stated Jadrian Tracey. being aware of their prior visitation. We began to believe it more because they were dictating it to us. We just made it happen, and we have some amazing leaders, as coach mentioned.
Subsequently, the Ducks were drawn to play three teams that they had a combined record of 1-5 against in the regular season: No. 3 Colorado, No. 1 Arizona, and No. 5 UCLA. Colorado had already upset Oregon twice, most recently two weeks prior at Matthew Knight Arena.
Put differently, Oregon appeared destined to return home early and prepare for their third consecutive trip to the National Invitation Tournament.
"Belief," stated Couisnard. That is the term. Faith. Coming down here, we understood exactly what we had to accomplish. We were aware that we needed to win three straight. Everyone simply had to set aside their differences and do everything it took to help us win.
"Just having faith in our coaches as well," stated Jadrian Tracey. being aware of their prior visitation. We began to believe it more because they were dictating it to us. We just made it happen, and we have some amazing leaders, as coach mentioned.
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