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NCAA Basketball • 1 year ago

5 Bold Predictions For Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan Wolverines

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Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

5 Bold Predictions For Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan Wolverines

Oregon — The semifinal round of the 2014 Legends Classic will pair two young teams with a ton of talent, but also a ton of question marks. Both teams handled a pesky Detroit team in the past week at home, and both hope to reach a potential final against VCU or Villanova. The early line from KenPom lists Michigan as a two-point favorite over Oregon, but the Wolverines will have their hands full trying to contain Ducks guard Joseph Young.

The semifinal round of the 2014 Legends Classic will pair two young teams with a ton of talent, but also a ton of question marks. Both teams handled a pesky Detroit team in the past week at home, and both hope to reach a potential final against VCU or Villanova. The early line from KenPom lists Michigan as a two-point favorite over Oregon, but the Wolverines will have their hands full trying to contain Ducks guard Joseph Young.

5. Oregon’s Pace Will Bother Michigan

Oregon

5. Oregon’s Pace Will Bother Michigan

Oregon — Oregon has been one of the faster teams in the country over the last few seasons, and has started at a blistering 71.8 possessions per game this season. Michigan has been a far more methodical outfit under John Beilein, and the Wolverines' perimeter-focused offense will open up fast-break opportunities for the Ducks off missed threes. If Michigan goes cold, Oregon’s pace will cause trouble the Maize ‘N Blue.

Oregon has been one of the faster teams in the country over the last few seasons, and has started at a blistering 71.8 possessions per game this season. Michigan has been a far more methodical outfit under John Beilein, and the Wolverines' perimeter-focused offense will open up fast-break opportunities for the Ducks off missed threes. If Michigan goes cold, Oregon’s pace will cause trouble the Maize ‘N Blue.

4. Zak Irvin Will Make 4+ Three-Pointers

Zak Irvin

4. Zak Irvin Will Make 4+ Three-Pointers

Zak Irvin — A season ago, Zak Irvin hoisted 146 threes in just 569 minutes of play. With the departures of Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III, Irvin’s minutes per game have doubled (15.4 to 33), and he’s still gunning from deep even though his game has expanded to include more shots inside the arc. Irvin has hit 11 threes through three games and went 4-of-8 from beyond the arc against Stanford at the Barclays Center a season ago.

A season ago, Zak Irvin hoisted 146 threes in just 569 minutes of play. With the departures of Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III, Irvin’s minutes per game have doubled (15.4 to 33), and he’s still gunning from deep even though his game has expanded to include more shots inside the arc. Irvin has hit 11 threes through three games and went 4-of-8 from beyond the arc against Stanford at the Barclays Center a season ago.

3. Joseph Young Will Score 25+ Points

Joseph Young

3. Joseph Young Will Score 25+ Points

Joseph Young — Through two games, Joseph Young has a lofty 32.2 percent usage rate and taken 37 shots. Young put up a 53/41/88 shooting line a season ago. The senior guard is a microwave scorer who can fill it in from the outside and at the rim. The Wolverines will likely put wing stopper Caris LeVert on Young in critical spots, but Young will feast off mismatches after switches. For the Ducks to win, Young must have a big game.

Through two games, Joseph Young has a lofty 32.2 percent usage rate and taken 37 shots. Young put up a 53/41/88 shooting line a season ago. The senior guard is a microwave scorer who can fill it in from the outside and at the rim. The Wolverines will likely put wing stopper Caris LeVert on Young in critical spots, but Young will feast off mismatches after switches. For the Ducks to win, Young must have a big game.

2. Caris LeVert Will Threaten a Triple-Double

Caris LeVert

2. Caris LeVert Will Threaten a Triple-Double

Caris LeVert — It might not happen all year, but Caris LeVert has turned into a serious threat to record a triple-double, leading Michigan through three games in assists (6.0 APG) and rebounds (7.7. RPG). Oregon has little size, and the 6-foot-7 winger has a chance at snaring a ton of rebounds. Along with PG Derrick Walton, LeVert serves as a primary ball-handler capable of freeing up teammates for open looks. A 20-8-8 line is very possible for LeVert.

It might not happen all year, but Caris LeVert has turned into a serious threat to record a triple-double, leading Michigan through three games in assists (6.0 APG) and rebounds (7.7. RPG). Oregon has little size, and the 6-foot-7 winger has a chance at snaring a ton of rebounds. Along with PG Derrick Walton, LeVert serves as a primary ball-handler capable of freeing up teammates for open looks. A 20-8-8 line is very possible for LeVert.

1. Michigan Will Win

John Beilein

1. Michigan Will Win

John Beilein — With two young teams still seeking an identity, this matchup has a lot of uncertainty. The surest thing on either side is the steady hand of Michigan coach John Beilein, and the Wolverines' weakness inside won’t be exploited by a small Oregon team. Add in the X-factor of an expected Michigan-friendly crowd in Brooklyn, and the ranked Wolverines should handle Oregon.

With two young teams still seeking an identity, this matchup has a lot of uncertainty. The surest thing on either side is the steady hand of Michigan coach John Beilein, and the Wolverines' weakness inside won’t be exploited by a small Oregon team. Add in the X-factor of an expected Michigan-friendly crowd in Brooklyn, and the ranked Wolverines should handle Oregon.

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Michigan Wolverines

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Oregon Ducks

Sam Mattfolk is a writer for RantSports.

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NCAA Basketball• 17 mins ago

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Preview: Oregon vs. Duke

Two of the highest scoring teams in the country go head-to-head in this Sweet 16 matchup between the Duke Blue Devils and the Oregon Ducks.

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NCAA Basketball• 3 days ago

2016 NCAA Tourney Round of 32 Preview: Oregon vs. Saint Joseph's

The Pac-12 champion and No. 1 seed Oregon Ducks will have to fend off the upset-minded St. Joe's Red Hawks in the Round of 32.

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NCAA Basketball• 6 days ago

2016 NCAA Round of 64 Preview: No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 16 Holy Cross

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NCAA Basketball• 6 days ago

2016 NCAA Tournament Round of 64 Preview: Notre Dame vs. Michigan

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NCAA Basketball• 1 week ago

2016 NCAA Tournament First Four Preview: Michigan vs. Tulsa

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NCAA Basketball• Videos• 2 weeks ago

Watch Kam Chatman Beat Indiana With Clutch Shot

Kam Chatman doesn't have a big role for Michigan, but his clutch three-pointer to beat Indiana in the Big Ten tournament came at a crucial point for the Wolverines.

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NCAA Basketball• 3 weeks ago

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The Oregon Ducks are on the rise.

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NCAA Basketball• 4 weeks ago

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NCAA Basketball• 1 month ago

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