Oregon shot lights out and collected 10 dunks against Iowa’s defense. How did they do it?
Elite ball movement and an advantage on the perimeter.
INDIANAPOLIS — Dana Altman kept coming back to one number. Twenty-five. As in assists. The ball movement, the crisp execution and quickness on the perimeter snowballed into a lopsided defeat for West Region No.2 seed Iowa on Monday afternoon in the NCAA tournament’s second round at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. No.7 seed Oregon’s 95-80 victory prevented the favored Hawkeyes from reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. The Ducks’ offense created and gained momentum throughout the game as four players reach double figures, accounting for 80 points. “The ball movement was the key to our offense,” said Altman, who has led Oregon to the Sweet 16 in four of the last five tournaments. “I love seeing 25 assists. I thought our guys were ready to shoot it, but we had some good looks because the ball was moving pretty good.” The Ducks couldn’t match up with Iowa big man Luka Garza, who finished with 36 points, inside but had the advantage on the perimeter.
