Oregon routs Liberty 81-52 in March Madness opener

The Oregon Ducks showcased their prowess with a decisive 81-52 victory over Liberty in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, led by Jackson Shelstad's 17 points, including 15 in a dominant first half. Liberty struggled significantly, shooting only 25% from the field and a mere 13. 3% from three-point range, allowing Oregon to establish a 44-20 halftime lead. Nate Bittle added 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Liberty's Zach Cleveland was the Flames' only scorer in double digits with 10 points. The Ducks' size advantage was evident as they jumped to an early 18-2 lead, and they pulled their starters with just under four minutes remaining.

After being selected as an at-large team following a loss in the Big Ten tournament, Oregon will now face off against Arizona in the Round of 32, a matchup that rekindles their former Pac-12 rivalry. Oregon's recent tournament history under coach Dana Altman is impressive, having advanced past the first round in all nine of their appearances. Liberty, on the other hand, finished their season with a strong 28-7 record, having won the Conference USA tournament and regular-season title. This game highlighted the Ducks' experience, with four players contributing to their NCAA Tournament success.