The Oregon Ducks are looking to make their first Final Four since the first ever NCAA Tournament in 1939, but a matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners and National Player of the Year frontrunner Buddy Hield stands in their way. Many have picked the Sooners because of Hield - but Oregon is ready to seize the moment. Here are three reasons why Oregon will beat Oklahoma and advance to the Final Four:
3) Oregon's offensive efficiency
Oregon’s basketball team has taken some notes from their football team, choosing to play a wide open, spread offensive system with four perimeter players on the country at one time. The result is a lot of open driving lanes which leads to easy baskets and the 11th most efficient offense in the country. Oklahoma is also a perimeter-oriented team, but they aren't great defensively. Look for Oregon to exploit the gaps that will be there on their way to a high shooting percentage.
2) Oregon's ability to defend the three-point shot
The old adage “live by the three, die by the three” couldn’t be more true in Oklahoma’s case. It doesn’t hurt them often because they are such a great shooting team, but they rely way too much on their perimeter shooting - something you can’t always count on. They have shot below 31.5 percent from long range in three of their last five losses - well below their season average.
That's good news for Oregon, as they've allowed teams to shoot just 35.7 percent from behind the arc on the season. Their length should bother Oklahoma's shooters, allowing the Ducks to pull out the win.
1) Belief
Some teams come into these games hoping to make the Final Four - Oregon is determined to get there, truly believing it's their destiny. 1939 has been a rallying cry for this team all year, trying to end one of the longest droughts in the sport. With Dillon Brooks being this team's leader, they know what they have to do to get this win. They simply want it more, and that will show on the court.