Oregon minus five in injury report vs. Iowa basketball — Ducks injured starters listed
Big Ten Matchup Shaken Up by Oregon Minus Five in Injury Report vs. Iowa Basketball Before Sunday’s game at Matthew Knight Arena, everyone watching Big Ten basketball should be aware of the injury report for Oregon minus five against Iowa. Injuries have caused a dramatic change in what many had anticipated to be a competitive matchup between the struggling Oregon Ducks (8-13, 1-9) and the Iowa Hawkeyes (15-5, 5-4 Big Ten) now that both teams are deep in conference play. This game as well as crucial momentum in both teams’ seasons could be shaped by that change in availability.
Iowa’s injury situation has been clear from the start. Due to a foot injury, senior guard Peyton McCollum, a crucial rotational component, will miss the rest of the season, creating a void in the Hawkeyes’ defensive rotation and backcourt. As of Sunday morning, his absence was still listed on the official Big Ten injury report.
However, the status update for Oregon presents a far more dramatic picture. The Ducks’ two top scorers are among the five players listed on the injury report.
Oregon’s most reliable inside presence, senior center Nate Bittle (16.3 points per game, shooting nearly 47%), is sidelined due to a foot injury.
Due to a persistent hand injury that has kept him off the court since late December, junior guard Jackson Shelstad (15.6 points per game) is out for the season.
They alone scored more than 31 points every night, creating a significant offensive void that Oregon now needs to fill. However, they are not the only Ducks absent: combo guard Miles Johnson, forward Devon Pryor, and junior center Ege Demir are all officially sidelined, making Oregon minus five in the injury report against Iowa basketball a reality in Eugene.
For what is expected to be a significant reorganization of Dana Altman’s rotation, only one Duck, senior guard Takai Simpkins (7.4 ppg), is listed as questionable. Oregon’s offense has been largely dependent on forward Kwame Evans Jr., a potent rebounder and the team’s next-highest scorer, in the absence of Bittle and Shelstad. This is a fantastic opportunity for Iowa.
In an attempt to move further up the Big Ten standings, the Hawkeyes can take advantage of Oregon’s weakened lineup. They have won three straight games and are having one of their best starts in years. Senior forward Tavion Banks’ 30-game free-throw streak, which is getting closer to the program record shared by Bohannon and the late Chris Street, is one statistic boosting the Hawkeyes’ confidence.
Ben McCollum, the head coach of Iowa, recognized Oregon’s coaching prowess but also saw a chance. McCollum stated, “You can scout their defense over time… offensively, yeah, you’d scout when they didn’t have those players,” emphasizing that Iowa’s motion offense and depth can make plays when the Ducks roster is thin.
FS1 will broadcast live coverage of the Hawkeyes vs. Ducks game, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Central Time. This game could turn from a West Coast test to a potential statement victory for Iowa, and a lost opportunity for the struggling Ducks as they attempt to salvage a miserable Big Ten season, given that Oregon is minus five in the injury report against Iowa basketball.
