Rhode Island is trying to become the second double-digit seed to advance to the Sweet 16 as they hold an eight-point lead over Oregon.
Rhode Island was an intriguing team heading into the Tournament. They got a good draw in the Round of 64 when they got to play a banged-up Creighton team. As such, they were a popular upset pick. But anyone who thought they would go quietly against Oregon was dead wrong.
Even though Oregon’s been great all year long, Chris Boucher picked the worst time to suffer a season-ending injury. However, as long as they had Dylan Ennis and Dillon Brooks, many thought they were good enough to at least get to the Sweet 16. Against a spirited Rhode Island side, though, that has not been the case as they find themselves down 46-38 at halftime.
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Brooks has eight points so far, but with a 4-of-9 shooting clip, he’s trying to force the issue. Tyler Dorsey is the only Ducks player with double figures so far. By contrast, Rhode Island has E.C. Matthews with 10 points, and Stanford Robinson with 13 off the bench.
However, Oregon is a team that just went to the Elite Eight last year. They’re a much more experienced side than Rhode Island, and that could be enough to mount a comeback. But when an underdog senses that they have the game in hand, it can be tough for them to give it up. That’s what happened when Michigan knocked off Louisville.
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After people complained about a lack of upsets in the first round, there certainly hasn’t been a shortage of them in the second. Granted, people are still complaining, but that’s because their brackets are getting busted. If Rhode Island wins, Kansas may very well waltz into the Final Four, so that’s a possible silver lining for anyone who picked Oregon to advance.