Arizona Wildcats vs Oregon Ducks Picks and Predictions March 23rd 2025

Arizona and Oregon Set for a West Coast Showdown

After cruising through the first round of the NCAA Tournament, two former Pac-12 rivals are set to rekindle their rivalry when No. 4 Arizona faces No. 5 Oregon on Sunday night in Seattle. Though the game is part of the East Region bracket, the matchup has a distinct West Coast flavor that brings out the best in both programs.

Oregon Ducks Look to Keep Rolling

The Oregon Ducks (25-9) made a strong statement in their first-round win, dismantling Liberty 81-52 on Friday night. Their hot shooting and early dominance helped them secure a comfortable lead, starting the game with an 18-2 run and never looking back.

Key players like Jackson Shelstad (17 points), Nate Bittle (14 points, 10 rebounds), and Keeshawn Barthelemy (10 points) led the charge, while the team shot 54.4 percent from the field. Head coach Dana Altman praised the energy from both the players and the Oregon fans, who traveled well to support their team.

“I feel like our fans are a big part of what we do,” Barthelemy said. “Just to play in Seattle, it’s an opportunity for March Madness, and our fans are pretty excited about it.”

The Ducks know they face a tougher test against Arizona, especially when it comes to rebounding. Oregon averaged 35.8 rebounds per game this season, compared to Arizona’s 40.0 per game.

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Arizona Wildcats Poised for Sweet 16 Bid

Meanwhile, the Arizona Wildcats (23-12) also enjoyed a blowout victory in their first-round game, defeating Akron 93-65 behind a shooting display that saw them hit 56.5 percent from the field and 48 percent from beyond the arc.

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd, a Washington native and former Gonzaga assistant, is no stranger to success in March. The Wildcats are looking to reach their third Sweet 16 in four years under Lloyd’s leadership.

“Arizona basketball fans travel, and I’m sure there are going to be a lot of Oregon fans there,” Lloyd said. “But there might be some fans that wear purple and gold (Washington) that might decide to root for Arizona.”

Caleb Love, one of Arizona’s star guards, managed just 10 points against Akron but contributed with seven rebounds. Trey Townsend led the way with 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting while also grabbing eight rebounds.

The Wildcats will rely on their dominant inside presence and versatility to counter Oregon’s hot shooting. Despite having 7-footers Henri Veesaar and Emmanuel Stephen coming off the bench, rebounding remains a collective effort for Arizona.

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The Rivalry Factor

This game marks the latest installment of a heated rivalry that saw Arizona sweep Oregon during the regular season, only to fall to the Ducks in the Pac-12 tournament semifinals. Arizona’s Caleb Love, who starred in North Carolina’s 2022 national championship run, knows the challenges that lie ahead.

“They’re well-coached, and we know they’re a great team,” Love said. “They want to play in a lot of ball screens and things like that. I think they’re well-rounded with the guys that they have.”

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Players to Watch

Arizona Wildcats

• Caleb Love: 10 points, 7 rebounds in last game.
• Trey Townsend: 16 points, 8 rebounds vs. Akron.

Oregon Ducks

• Jackson Shelstad: 17 points in first round.
• Nate Bittle: 14 points, 10 rebounds, key inside presence.
• Keeshawn Barthelemy: 10 points, effective floor leader.

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Betting Insights and Predictions

While Arizona is favored to win, Oregon’s potent offense and strong start against Liberty can’t be ignored. The Ducks will need a fast start and aggressive rebounding to pull off the upset, while Arizona must rely on its efficient shooting and depth to counter Oregon’s energy.

Prediction: Arizona 85, Oregon 77
Best Bet: Arizona -5.5

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Final Thoughts

This game promises to be a clash of styles and a battle of wills between two well-coached teams with a shared history. Arizona’s balanced attack and superior rebounding should give them the edge, but Oregon’s hot shooting can’t be taken lightly.

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