No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 3 Oregon Preview, Game Prediction


Kansas vs. Oregon prediction and game preview, as the No. 1 Jayhawks and No. 3 Ducks face off in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.


It’s been an interesting path for Dana Altman’s Ducks, but they are still dancing and have made it back to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year.

After skating past No. 14 Iona in the first round, 93-77, No. 3 Oregon was given a run for its money by No. 11 Rhode Island but somehow survived with a 75-72 win. That matched the Ducks up against No. 7 Michigan, but Oregon took down the Wolverines in the Sweet 16, 69-68.

Now, the Ducks will go up against No. 1-seeded Kansas. The Jayhawks easily dismantled No. 16 UC Davis in the first round of the tournament, 100-62. Then Rock Chalk was put up against No. 9 Michigan State and its star freshman Miles Bridges, but the Spartans were no match, as the Jayhawks advanced with a 90-70 win.

Kansas’ Sweet 16 victory came against No. 4 Purdue. The Boilermakers’ frontcourt tandem of Caleb Swanigan and Isaac Haas were no match for the Jayhawks, who took the 98-66 victory to keep dancing.

Kansas vs. Oregon Game Preview

Date: March 25, 2017
Venue: Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
Region: Midwest

Kansas wins if …

If the Jayhawks can force Tyler Dorsey and Dillon Brooks into some contest jump shots early, they can grab some long rebounds and get the transition game going. Some easy buckets and fast break points will set the tone for Kansas. That will fall on the shoulders of Frank Mason III, Josh Jackson and Devonte’ Graham. The trio combined for 77 points on 22-of-39 shooting and will have to provide that same offensive juice in the Elite Eight to get past Oregon.

At the same time, Kansas has to keep controlling the boards. It out-rebounded Purdue, 36-29, and limited the Boilers to only nine offensive rebounds. Jackson pulled down 12 rebounds of his own in that win. He also came up with four steals, and if he can provide another all-around performance then Kansas will be in a position to win.

Oregon wins if …

If the Ducks can stay out of the penalty and keep Kansas off the free throw line. Oregon managed to stay on the referees’ good side and limit the Wolverines to 7-of-7 shooting from the charity stripe. Limiting the free points for Kansas will go a long way, but the Ducks also have to win the battle on the boards.

Oregon out-rebounded Michigan, 36-31, and held the Wolverines to only two offensive rebounds. Jordan Bell played a huge role there, as he pulled down 13 boards, four of which were on the offensive glass. If he can crash the boards the same way, all the Ducks will need is for Dillon Brooks and Tyler Dorsey to continue to provide the bulk of the scoring. As a duo, Books and Dorsey combined for 32 points on 12-of-28 shooting in their Sweet 16 victory.

Kansas vs. Oregon Prediction

This game will definitely be one to watch for a potential upset. Even though the Ducks earned their No. 3 seed, Kansas is still the odds-on favorite here, and it will be the Jayhawks who advance to the Final Four. Mason will set the tempo early on in the first half and will drop another 20-plus-point game. Jackson will go for 20-plus points, too, while Graham provides more perimeter scoring. Brooks and Dorsey won’t get their shots going until the second half, and by that time it will be too late for Oregon to complete the comeback.

Kansas vs. Oregon Score Prediction: Kansas 91, Oregon 84

MORE: Complete NCAA Tournament Bracket, Previews, Predictions