The Oregon men’s basketball team secured a commendable 82-74 victory over USC, fueled by standout performances from Jackson Shelstad and Kwame Evans Jr. The pair combined for an impressive 43 points, demonstrating their skills in a matchup against top NBA draft prospects from USC.
In challenging potential lottery picks such as Isaiah Collier and Bronny James, Shelstad and Evans asserted their dominance on the court. Shelstad notably contributed 21 points, while Evans took the lead with 22 points, alongside eight rebounds and five steals.
The remarkable display from Shelstad and Evans proved instrumental for the Ducks, who had been contending with injuries to key players like N’Faly Dante and Nate Bittle. Shelstad conveyed their growing confidence and adjustment to the speed and physicality of college basketball.
Coach Dana Altman commended Evans’ progress, particularly in terms of his physical presence. Despite initially intending to focus on the perimeter, Evans has successfully adapted to a more interior style of play, underscoring his development as a player.
The Ducks initiated the game strongly, maintaining a double-digit lead in the early stages. Shelstad’s exceptional performance in the first half, coupled with a relentless defensive approach, limited USC to a mere 32% shooting from the field, while Oregon forced 10 turnovers.
Although USC found their rhythm in the second half, achieving a shooting percentage of over 50%, Oregon continued to dominate. Entrusting the ball to Shelstad and Jermaine Couisnard in the latter stages of the game proved fruitful, resulting in Oregon’s first conference triumph of the season.
In addition to the standout freshmen, Couisnard and Kario Oquendo also made substantial contributions to the victory. With the win against USC, the team is preparing to face UCLA in their upcoming game.
Alec Dietz provides coverage of University of Oregon football, volleyball, women’s basketball, and baseball for The Register-Guard. For further updates and in-depth analysis, you can follow him on Twitter @AlecDietz, or contact him directly at [email protected].