How to watch Oregon women’s basketball vs. Indiana: Time, streaming, predictions

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Entering a conference known for its offense and pace of play, the Oregon women’s basketball team wanted to make a name for itself in its first season in the Big Ten this year. Before the season, coach Kelly Graves told his team that seven Big Ten teams ranked in the top 20 in scoring efficiency, but none ranked in the top 50 in the country in defensive efficiency.

The Ducks (14-5, 5-3 Big Ten) have left their impression this season on the defensive side of the court, holding opponents to under 60 points per game and typically well below their averages while grinding games into a slog like their most recent win against Iowa on Sunday.

“Everybody knows offense is fun,” Graves said. “You get up and down, you shoot quick, that’s fun. But actually, really good defense can be fun, too. Defense is where all five have to be working together. If there’s a weak link, it really kills you. Our team is gotten into that, they enjoy that. They like diving into a game plan.”

The Ducks rank in the top half of the Big Ten in scoring defense and have played three teams that rank in the top 30 in scoring offense in the country, with two in the top 10 in No. 4 USC and No. 12 Ohio State.

USC, averaging 84.1 points per game, scored 66 against the Ducks in December. Ohio State, averaging 83.4 points per game, scored 69 against the Ducks earlier this month, and Baylor, averaging 79.8 points per contest, scored 74 against Oregon in November.

A lot of that has been an added emphasis to limiting opposing transition opportunities, with many teams in the Big Ten ranking near the top of the country in offensive pace, and holding on to the ball for the entire shot clock to shorten the game.

“Our transition defense has been really good, it’s been a focus,” Graves said. “Unfortunately at the expense of our offensive rebounding. We’re only sending two people to the glass offensively. We’ve decided to take the NBA model and take away the transition. That’s really helped our defense and we don’t turn the ball over…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-oregon-womens-basketball-vs-130040335.html

Author : The Register-Guard

Publish date : 2025-01-24 13:00:00

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