The Big Ten only had two games on Sunday and neither ended up being all that competitive, as Maryland and Oregon cruised to easy wins. They helped set up what should be a great restart to Big Ten play next weekend.
Let’s take a look at what happened.
Game of the Night:
–Oregon Ducks 80, Nebraska Omaha Mavericks 57
The Ducks entered Sunday trying to bounce back from a tough loss against Gonzaga in Portland on December 21st. And while Oregon actually played respectably in that losing effort, the time for “moral losses” has long since past for the Ducks, who entered Sunday sitting
at just 6-6 overall. It’s the kind of mark that’s almost never going to cut it for a program like Oregon, who prides itself on relevancy in March.
Fortunately, Oregon got a favorable matchup in this one, facing off against a flawed Omaha squad, who entered the game at just 7-7 overall and well outside the top 200 on KenPom. And the result largely played out that way, with Oregon scoring a 23-point win at home. Nate Bittle was the primary difference in the matchup, finishing with 26 points and nine rebounds in the win. Takai Simpkins also had a nice showing with 15 points and three assists.
The win pushed Oregon to 7-6 overall on the eve of the restart of Big Ten conference play. The Ducks still need to improve significantly if the group is going to deliver on their preseason hopes. However, Oregon has now quietly won three of its last four games and is up 20 spots on KenPom over the same stretch. If the team can continue that momentum, perhaps it has a chance in March after all. That effort will begin on Friday on the road against Maryland. It projects as a coin flip.
The Rest:
–Maryland Terrapins 73, Old Dominion Monarchs 58
The Terps entered this one amid a rough patch, having lost three straight and five of the team’s last six games. It figured to be a good opportunity for a “great right” game after a brutal stretch. Fortunately for fans, that’s how it worked out, with Maryland eventually scoring a 73-58 win, even with Pharrel Payne missing the game. Isaiah Watts led the way in the effort, finishing with 17 points and two rebounds. Darius Adams also had a nice showing with 18 points.
The win pushed Maryland to 7-6 overall and back into the top 100 on KenPom. Fans will hope that trend can continue with a Big Ten play restarting next weekend. If the Terps are going to be a factor in conference play, some serious progress will have to be made, considering the group is near the tail end of the league, at least in KenPom’s projections. We’ll get an early look at how it will shake out on Friday, as Maryland faces off against Oregon at home. It figures to be a relatively even game between two solid programs hoping to overcome slow starts.
