Oregon, Northwestern Eager to Break Out of Slumps

Oregon’s promising season has hit a rough patch, and the Ducks will try to turn things around when they host Northwestern in a Big Ten showdown on Tuesday night in Eugene, Oregon.

Once ranked No. 15 in the AP Poll, Oregon (16-8, 5-8 Big Ten) has slipped in the standings after a five-game losing streak, leaving them tied for 11th in the conference. The Wildcats (13-11, 4-9) have also struggled, particularly on the road, where they remain winless at 0-7.

Ducks Falter After Strong Start Against Michigan State

Oregon’s latest setback came in an 86-74 loss at No. 11 Michigan State on Saturday. The game showcased a stark contrast between halves:

• First Half: Oregon scored 50 points and led by 14 at halftime.
• Second Half: The Ducks were outscored by 26, giving up 50 points while struggling offensively.

Coach Dana Altman didn’t hold back in his self-criticism.

Oregon hit 10-of-19 from three-point range in the first half but missed all eight of their attempts in the second. The defensive effort also faded, allowing Michigan State to take control.

Jackson Shelstad, who leads Oregon with 12.9 points per game, had a strong first half with 18 points but couldn’t maintain the same rhythm down the stretch.

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Northwestern Faces Tough Test Amid Key Injuries

The Wildcats have lost four of their last five games, including a 76-71 defeat at Washington on Saturday. Making matters worse, they have lost two key senior guards for the season:

• Jalen Leach (14.3 PPG, ACL injury) suffered his season-ending injury last week against USC.
• Brooks Barnhizer (17.1 PPG, foot injury) had already been ruled out after struggling in late January.

Without them, junior forward Nick Martinelli has become the focal point of Northwestern’s offense. He delivered a dominant 23-point, 10-rebound performance against Washington, his second straight double-double. Martinelli now leads the Big Ten in scoring with 19.8 points per game and is stepping into a leadership role.

History and What’s at Stake

Oregon has won both previous meetings with Northwestern, though the teams haven’t faced off since 1964.

The Ducks have an opportunity to stop their skid at home, while the Wildcats are searching for their first road win of the season.

Will Oregon reclaim its early-season form, or can Northwestern rally around Martinelli to steal a win on the road? Expect both teams to fight hard to break free from their losing ways.