A wire-to-wire exhibition win over Utah that began in dominant fashion featured a lot of positive signs for a short-handed Oregon squad, but also several things to correct.
While early defense, rebounding and ball movement were all positive takeaways from that game, Dana Altman wants to see the Ducks focus on finishing defensively and improved perimeter play in tonight’s contest at Stanford, the final exhibition of the year.
“He wants to see us take that next step forward,” center Nate Bittle said. “In the second half defense is away from our bench. It’s going to be just us; no coaches yelling around talking about what we need to do defensively.”
Defense is always a hallmark of Altman’s teams and Oregon had its best season in six years on that end of the court last season. Three returning starters and several experienced transfers should help maintain that level of play, but not having injured guard Jackson Shelstad for at least the first three or four games is going to slow UO’s progress, especially on offense.
Newcomer Wei Lin started in Shelstad’s place against Utah on Friday and had 10 points, four assists and two steals with no turnovers in over 25 minutes. He’ll likely start again tonight at Maples Pavilion and for the next few weeks, splitting time at the point with Elon transfer TK Simpkins and others.
“We don’t have all our playbook because Jackson knows what we want to run but with Wei and TK we’re having a hard time getting into some sets,” Altman said. “It’s going to be a work in progress.”
Improving outside shooting, after going just 4 of 18 from behind the arc against a smaller Utah team, is where the offense is focusing. Altman noted the stark difference in the team’s shooting when the ball moved just once versus around the court.
“It really was a difference when we got the ball side-to-side and then got it inside,” he said.
Dez Lindsay added four assists and five of his eight rebounds came on the offensive end against Utah, with Texas transfer Devon Pryor adding five points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
They each noted defensive intensity as an area of emphasis against Stanford, which is the only program in the ACC with a returning roster that played at least 50% of the team’s minutes last season, though center Maxime Reynaud is now in the NBA.
“We’re working on to keep playing defense and get the team together and play as one,” Lindsay said.
It’ll be their last chance to clean things up before Oregon’s regular season tips off Tuesday against Hawaii.
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