Stanford Cardinal vs Oregon Ducks Picks and Predictions December 21st 2024

Old Rivals Meet in New Circumstances as Stanford Battles No. 10 Oregon

Longtime rivals Stanford and No. 10 Oregon will face off in an intriguing opener of the San Jose Tip-Off on Saturday night in California. While the two schools share a rich history as former Pac-12 competitors, this clash marks a rare non-conference meeting, the first since the 1967 Portland Far West Classic.

The night will also feature Cal taking on No. 23 San Diego State in the second game of the doubleheader.

Transitioning from the Pac-12

Oregon and Stanford are navigating new territories as former Pac-12 programs. With the Ducks now part of the Big Ten and the Cardinal in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Saturday’s contest will rekindle a historic rivalry in an entirely new context.

Looking for the latest headlines? Check out the Scores and Stats gambling news section.

The teams last met during the 2022-23 season, with Oregon securing a 78-65 road victory. The Ducks have faced multiple former Pac-12 foes this season, including wins over Oregon State and USC and a close loss to UCLA earlier this month.

Oregon Riding High

Oregon (10-1) has built an impressive resume this season, highlighted by neutral-site victories at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, where they defeated Texas A&M, San Diego State, and Alabama. Their only loss came in a tightly contested battle against UCLA.

The Ducks’ most recent outing, a 79-61 home win over Stephen F. Austin, was overshadowed by a scare involving reserve forward Kwame Evans Jr., who suffered a knee injury late in the game. Fortunately, further evaluation revealed no structural damage, allowing Evans to remain a key rotational piece for Oregon.

Jadrian Tracey emphasized Evans’ importance, saying, “His energy and his presence are big-time for us, especially on the defensive end. His length and versatility—he can guard one through five.”

Oregon’s offense is powered by 7-footer Nathan Bittle, who leads the team with 14.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Bittle’s versatility will pose a significant challenge for Stanford as he enjoys a bit of a homecoming, having prepped at Prolific Prep in Napa, California.

Stanford’s Opportunity

Stanford (9-2) enters the game with a three-game winning streak but has yet to secure a marquee victory this season. The Cardinal fell short in their only other neutral-court game, a 78-71 loss to Grand Canyon.

Maxime Raynaud, the nation’s leader in double-doubles with nine this season, will look to reverse a history of struggles against Oregon. In five previous games against the Ducks, Raynaud has averaged just 8.4 points and 5.6 rebounds—well below his current averages of 21.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.

Today’s Winning College Basketball Picks! Check out NCAAB picks today for confident betting.

“The one thing we lack is the finishing game,” Raynaud admitted. “Other than that, we have all the ingredients to be one of the top teams in our league.”

To achieve a signature win, Stanford will need Raynaud to contend with Bittle in the paint while leaning on a balanced scoring attack to break through Oregon’s defense.

What’s at Stake

Saturday’s matchup offers Oregon an opportunity to solidify its top-10 standing while continuing to build momentum ahead of Big Ten play. For Stanford, it’s a chance to showcase its potential and gain confidence heading into a tough ACC slate.

As these old rivals meet in new circumstances, fans can expect a highly competitive game that bridges history and the new era of college basketball realignment.