Oregon Ducks Basketball Teams Off to Strong Starts in 2024-25 Season

The Oregon Ducks men’s and women’s basketball teams are making significant strides in the early stages of the 2024-25 season. The men’s team, under Coach Dana Altman, has started the season with a 2-0 record, impressing with dominant performances against Montana and UC Riverside. In their latest game, the Ducks routed Montana 79-48 and previously beat UC Riverside by 15 points. These victories have earned them a spot in early March Madness bracket projections, with ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi giving Oregon a No. 8 seed[2][3].

Senior center Nate Bittle has been a standout player, averaging 16.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. Point guard Jackson Shelstad is leading the team in assists with 3.5 per game, while guard Keeshawn Barthelemy has contributed 1.5 steals per game. The Ducks are set to face the Portland Pilots on November 12, with high expectations given their strong start and favorable odds[2][3].

The women’s basketball team, led by Coach Kelly Graves, has also begun the season on a high note, moving to a 4-0 record after a decisive 66-35 win over North Texas. This victory came just 40 hours after an upset win over Baylor. The Ducks’ defense was particularly impressive, allowing only nine points in the first half and setting a program record for the fewest points allowed in any half. Bench players Nani Falatea and Elisa Mevius led the scoring with 11 points each, highlighting the team’s depth and unselfish play[5].

Both teams are gearing up for challenging conference schedules, with the men’s team facing key matchups against UCLA, Illinois, Ohio State, and Purdue, among others. The women’s team, meanwhile, continues to build momentum with their strong defensive performances and balanced scoring[4][5].