Oregon has made a habit of winning close games the past three seasons. This year alone, the team has won six with a margin of five points or less.
Tonight, the Ducks did a little bit more of the same. Holding off a late second half surge from Askia Booker, who finished with a team-high of 20 points, and Colorado pulled within eight with three minutes remaining – the Ducks not only strengthened their NCAA tournament hopes, but also their confidence as a team. Oregon now boasts a 19-8, 9-5 Pac-12 record.
With four games remaining and a date with No. 9 Utah this upcoming Sunday, the Ducks are understandably getting stingy about every game.
“We approach every game with the same mindset: we go in thinking we’re going to win,” Elgin Cook, who finished with 13 points, said. “Every game (hereon out) is a big game.”
The Ducks weren’t entirely pleased with their 73-60 rout of the Buffaloes. Similar to most games this season, Dana Altman was concerned with his team’s inconsistent play, especially on the defensive end and on the glass. Colorado outrebounded Oregon 45-37.
Moving forward, Altman doesn’t plan on switching up the game plan, which is to improve in these two areas of the game.
“There’s room for a lot of improvement,” Dwayne Benjamin said. “We talk about just getting better everyday and we were better today than we were last game, that’s why we got the win.”
On a more positive note, Oregon’s Dillon Brooks and Benjamin both had solid outings. Brooks, who hit a critical three-pointer with 3:45 remaining, finished with 14 points and six rebounds, while Benjamin added a double-double with 11 points and a team-high of 13 boards. This was all in addition to Joseph Young’s 23-point, six assists performance.
Late in the season, Oregon’s role players look to have found their stride.
Oregon’s focus has now solely shifted toward Sunday’s matchup with the Utes, who are currently riding a four-game winning streak. And exactly like when they face tall fronts like Arizona and Colorado, their main concerns will lie in the paint.
Oregon is currently ranked 62nd in ESPN’s RPI standings and is still on the bubble according to CBS Sports’ Bracketology. Tipoff for Oregon’s senior day is set for a noon start at Matthew Knight Arena.
“Our guys are excited about it (facing a top 10 team),” Altman said. “They know we got some deficiencies. They Know Utah is a very talented team. We’re going to have to play 40 minutes and awfully well.”
Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim