Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
TV Schedule: Saturday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
Arena: Taco Bell Arena, Boise, ID
Despite their recent loss to the UNLV Rebels, the Oregon Ducks are ranked No. 24 in the nation with their sights set on entering the top 15 before conference play begins. Next, the Ducks travel to Boise, Idaho, to face off with the Boise State Broncos on Saturday night.
One of the favorites to win the Mountain West Conference entering the season, the Broncos have yet to make a splash at the national level. Although Boise State has yet to lose a game against a team that isn’t at least potentially heading to the NCAA tournament, the Broncos have also lost to every good team that they have faced, leaving their record at 6-4. Six players on this team average at least seven points per game, but this team struggles heavily on defense, something that will come into play against the high-flying Ducks.
The Ducks boast five players who average over 11.8 points per game, including Dillon Brooks and Tyler Dorsey. Had Dorsey not been injured in the loss to UNLV, then Oregon would be in even better shape. Brooks has shown flashes of being one of the best players in college basketball in a year or so. If the majority of their players decide to forgo the NBA draft, Oregon could be one of the best teams in the country as early as next season.
This game could also be a way for us to see how the PAC-12 might play out a little early, as Boise State was stomped twice by the Arizona Wildcats. Watch for Oregon to win easily in a game that will look much better down the road once Boise State starts facing above-average teams instead of ranked teams.
Prediction: Oregon 78, Boise State 69
Taylor Sturm is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
