Written by Steve Mims at RegisterGuard.com
Dana Altman believes the formula for winning on the road in college basketball doesn’t change much.
It includes getting off to a good start to take the fans out of the game, winning the rebound battle to limit the opponents’ scoring chances and limiting turnovers to stop teams from getting dunks and open three-pointers in transition that excite the crowd.
Oregon has done each of those things well lately, both home and away, but the lack of turnovers has been an emphasis in building a six-game winning streak that has the 11th-ranked Ducks (20-4) leading the Pac-12 at 9-2 as they prepare to visit California (15-8, 5-5) on Thursday.
Oregon has committed fewer turnovers than its opponents in five straight games and had eight or fewer in four of those games. Oregon had eight or fewer turnovers in one of its first 19 games.
“With the exception of Arizona State, we’ve had a pretty good stretch there,” Altman said. “I thought that was critical at Arizona because when they get running downhill there, it’s real tough. Cal will jump out in passing lanes with their athleticism and length, so we’ll have to do a good job handling the ball.”
Oregon is averaging 11.9 turnovers per game and leads the conference in turnover margin with 2.88 fewer than its opponents. The Ducks are averaging nine turnovers in their last seven games.
“We’re making the extra pass, making plays for each other instead of taking the extra dribble,” senior forward Dwayne Benjamin said. “We pass it off and know they will pass it back if you’re open. Just depending on each other to make plays.”
Oregon had its season low with seven turnovers in an 86-72 win over UCLA on Jan. 23 and then lowered that in the next game with six during an 83-75 win at Arizona. The Ducks had six turnovers again in Thursday’s 76-56 win over Colorado and then had eight in a 76-66 win over Utah on Sunday.
To continue reading this article, click here.
