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Oregon Ducks Aim to Break Losing Streak Against Iowa Hawkeyes

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Oregon Ducks Vs Iowa Hawkeyes Basketball Game

Eugene, Oregon – The Oregon Ducks (18-8, 7-8 Big Ten) are looking to put an end to their four-game road losing streak when they take on the Iowa Hawkeyes (14-11, 5-9 Big Ten) on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game is set to begin at 8:30 PM ET and will be broadcasted live on BTN.

The Ducks have shown signs of improvement after snapping a five-game losing streak earlier in February. Following two key victories at home, they are seeking to carry their momentum into this pivotal matchup. Oregon assistant coach Tony Stubblefield highlighted the importance of the upcoming game, stating, “They’re feeding off it, and this is the time of year when you want to be playing your best basketball.”

In the previous week, Oregon ended its slump with wins over Rutgers and another opponent, showcasing their ability to play cohesive basketball. Combined, the Ducks amassed 32 assists on 52 made field goals, maintained single-digit turnovers, and dominated the boards with a 33-27 rebounding advantage against both opponents. Stubblefield remarked on the team’s recent performance, saying, “We got better defensively, we got better sharing the basketball and rebounding.”

Leading the charge for Oregon is point guard Jackson Shelstad, who has elevated his game during conference play. He is averaging 16.7 points in Big Ten matchups with a shooting efficiency of 51.5% from the field and 49.4% from beyond the arc. Stubblefield noted the significance of Shelstad’s performance, stressing, “We need Jackson to be playing at this level, especially at this time of year.”

Oregon enters Wednesday’s contest tied for eighth place in the Big Ten standings and has a NET ranking of No. 31. In comparison, the Iowa Hawkeyes are tied for 13th in the conference and rank No. 63 in the NET rankings.

The Hawkeyes are facing challenges of their own, having lost seven of their last nine games, including a recent defeat where they allowed 101 points against a strong opponent. Iowa has been without their leading scorer Owen Freeman, who is recovering from season-ending surgery, which leaves a significant gap in their lineup. Senior forward Payton Sandfort, however, continues to impress, averaging 16.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Despite their struggles, Iowa boasts one of the best scoring offenses in the Big Ten, averaging 84.1 points per game, but also allows an average of 79.5 points, the highest in the conference. The Ducks’ scoring average stands at 76.43 points per game, while they allow 75.1.

Radio coverage for the game will be available on KUGN (590 AM, 98.1 FM), KUJZ (95.3 FM), KFXX (1080 AM, Portland), KYKN (1430 AM, Salem), and Sirius 381. Predictions suggest the Ducks hold a 50.1% chance of defeating the Hawkeyes as they prepare to face each other in what promises to be an engaging matchup.

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