It's a small world, we suppose, especially for Dana Altman, who gets to face former employer Creighton in this second-round matchup. Fundamentals shape up nicely for the Ducks, who have size to confront the Bluejays' 7-1 Ryan Kalkbrenner, as there isn't a frotnlienr any more hot than the Webfoots' 7-1 N'Faly Dante, who is 19 for 21 from the floor (90.4%) and scoring 24 ppg across the past two wins. Let's not forget Ducks G Jermaine Couisnard, who hit his old team South Carolina for 40 on Thursday. Creighton also has a slight quickneess deficiency that could be expolited by UO, which looks a different team sicne the Pac-12 Tourney semis, and late-season Altman rallies have happened before. Play Oregon (NCAA at Pittsburgh)

Ducks are a different team with their big man back. Much more balanced and change the way you have to defend them. I tend to ride hot teams this tine of year and Oregon has now won five in a row, Teams that went deep in conference tourney are already showing well. Creighton carrying more pressure and this is a true neutral site so no crowd advantage or altitude or any of that. Oregon can win this game, and might not have to play a total A game to do so.

Ducks have a way to neutralize Ryan Kalkbrenner a little bit with star big man N’Faly Dante, and there’s enough perimeter versatility to think Oregon can be disruptive on the perimeter. If the Jays can’t get into the flow of their offense they are more than beatable, and this is a 50-50 game to me. That’s value on the dog.