Oregon Ducks Seek Breaking Points Against Iowa Hawkeyes in Crucial Showdown

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Oregon Ducks (18-8, 7-8 Big Ten) aim to snap a four-game road losing streak as they face the Iowa Hawkeyes (14-11, 5-9 Big Ten) on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game is set to tip off at 8:30 PM ET and will be broadcast on BTN.

Oregon is looking to capitalize on recent momentum gained from back-to-back home wins after struggling through a midseason slump that included five consecutive losses. The Ducks currently rank 31st in the NET standings and are tied for eighth in the Big Ten standings. Oregon’s recent victories have revitalized confidence in the team as they approach the final stretch of the regular season.

“We’re feeling good about the two wins we’ve had recently, but now we have to shift our focus to Iowa,” said Oregon assistant coach Tony Stubblefield. “This is a tough league, and we must be ready to play our best basketball.”

The Ducks’ recent success can be attributed to improved defense and ball movement. In their latest victories, they recorded 32 assists on 52 made field goals, maintained their turnovers in single digits, and outrebounded their opponents by a combined margin.

Leading the charge for the Ducks is point guard Jackson Shelstad. Throughout conference play, he has averaged 16.7 points while shooting over 51% from the field. “Jackson has stepped up his game, and we need him at this level as we head into crucial matchups,” added Stubblefield.

On the flip side, Iowa is experiencing a challenging stretch, having lost seven of their last nine games, including a blowout defeat against a high-scoring opponent. They were without their leading scorer and rebounder, Owen Freeman, who underwent finger surgery on February 3 and is out for the season. Freeman had been averaging 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds prior to his injury.

Despite these setbacks, Iowa boasts the Big Ten’s second-best scoring offense, averaging 84.1 points per game, although they also allow an average of 79.5 points, the highest in the conference. Senior forward Payton Sandfort remains a significant offensive threat, averaging 16.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

The Ducks are currently scoring 76.43 points per game while allowing 75.1 points. According to statistical analyses, the chances of Oregon securing a victory against Iowa sit at a narrow 50.1%.

The game promises to be a clash of contrasting styles, with Iowa’s high-scoring ability pitted against Oregon’s recent defensive improvements. As the teams prepare to clash in Iowa City, the outcome could prove critical for both programs as they seek better positioning heading into the postseason.

Fans can listen to the game on KUGN (590 AM, 98.1 FM) and other local radio stations. Chris Hansen covers University of Oregon sports for The Register-Guard and can be reached at [email protected].