Oregon Ducks Eliminated by Arizona 87-83 in NCAA Tournament

The Oregon Ducks were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament after a narrow 87-83 loss to the Arizona Wildcats in the second round. Despite starting strong with a 19-4 lead, Oregon struggled with defensive lapses that allowed Arizona to recover and take control of the game, particularly in the second half. Key player Caleb Love scored 29 points for Arizona, while Oregon's performance at the free-throw line faltered significantly, making only 12 of 22 attempts. Coach Dana Altman emphasized that defense was a critical issue, as the Ducks allowed 87 points, which is unsustainable in tournament play. Oregon had previously shown promise, finishing the season with a 25-10 record, but ultimately fell short of advancing beyond the round of 32 for the second consecutive year. The team reflected on the need for better defensive consistency as they look to improve for future seasons.