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The Holy Cross Crusaders entered the 2016 NCAA tournament with a 14-19 record, but that didn’t stop them from taking down the Southern Jaguars in the First Four. The win was the Crusaders’ first in the tournament since 1953, but it will likely be their last one this year as their next challenge will be a matchup with the No. 1 seed in the West Region, the Oregon Ducks.
The Ducks enter the NCAA tournament on an eight-game winning streak. Dana Altman‘s team is fresh off of an 88-57 pounding of Utah in the Pac-12 tournament championship that allowed Oregon to earn both the Pac-12 regular season and tournament titles.
What To Watch For
The Crusaders are led by junior forward Malachi Alexander, who averages 11.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Surprisingly, Alexander only took five shots against Southern and only ended up with seven points, but he also contributed eight rebounds and eight assists. Sixth-man Robert Champion picked up the scoring load as he posted 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Since Altman arrived in Eugene, the Ducks have always been able to score the basketball, but their problem has been on the defensive end. While this year’s team isn’t exactly an elite defensive unit, it’s a huge step up from years past and it was a big factor in its success this season.
Offensively, the team is led by sophomore forward Dillon Brooks, who averages 16.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. If not for Utah’s Jakob Poeltl, Brooks would’ve been the Pac-12 Player of the Year, and some thought he deserved the award over Poeltl. Elgin Cook, Tyler Dorsey and Chris Boucher all average in double figures as well for the Ducks.
Prediction
For anyone looking for a No. 16 to finally defeat a No. 1, you’ll have to look elsewhere as there’s no chance that Holy Cross will beat Oregon. The Crusaders have had a great run over the last few weeks, but the Ducks are too talented to lose this game. Look for things to get out of hand as the Ducks win by more than the current 23-point margin placed by Vegas.
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