It’s been a long wait for the Oregon Ducks and Liberty Flames, but their respective starts to the 2025 NCAA Tournament are almost here. In the final game of the first round, both the Ducks and Flames will look to keep their season alive and advance to the second round, played on Sunday in Seattle.
After a strong finish to the season, winning eight of their final nine games, Dana Altman and the Ducks enter this game as a favorite, according to the betting line and the tournament seed line. Led by dynamic big man Nate Bittle, Oregon’s paint presence and strong defense should be fully displayed in a game where size could be the ultimate difference against Liberty.
Meanwhile, the Flames pose a serious threat, especially in March. They got hot near the end of the season and went on to win the Conference USA Championship, clinching an automatic bid into the tournament. Regarding potential upset bids, the Flames fit the billing as a team that could shoot their way into the second round. This past season, Liberty hit 39% of their 3-pointers, which ranks as the seventh-best mark in the nation. Should they get hot on Friday night against the Ducks, it could have some fans pointing to them as a Cinderella candidate in the tournament.
A game between No. 5 and No. 12 seeds in the tournament is always fun for fans, as it has produced many upsets over the years. This year, No. 12 Colorado State upset No. 5 Memphis, and No. 12 McNeese upset No. 5 Clemson. Oregon hopes to stop the recent trend and advance into the Round of 32.
Oregon basketball fans can find everything they need to know ahead of the Ducks’ first March Madness game below. We will provide live, in-game updates for the Oregon faithful to follow along with.
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA men’s tournament bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA men’s tournament bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.
Nate Bittle starts dominating as the Ducks take the game into the paint – Oregon 34, Liberty 14 (5:17, 1H)
Oregon was losing the points in the paint battle, 8-2, but then Nate Bittle started to dominate, scoring in a flurry and blocking a shot on the other end. Bittle has 9 points and 6 rebounds in 11 minutes.
Oregon goes cold, but Liberty struggles to make up the gap – Oregon 27, Liberty 11 (7:55, 1H)
The Ducks have gone the last 2:05 of game time without scoring, but the Flames have struggled to take advantage and close the gap. So far in this game, Liberty is 4-for-15 from the field and 1-for-9 from deep.
Liberty, a notoriously great shooting team, can’t hit a shot – Oregon 22, Liberty 8 (11:41, 1H)
The Flames are 3-for-10 from the field, and 0-for-5 from deep. Coming into this game, Liberty was seventh in the nation with 39% 3FG shooting.
Ducks continue to dominate, forcing a Liberty timeout after another scoring run – Oregon 18, Liberty 2 (14:37, 1H)
Oregon isn’t showing any signs of cooling off, with Jackson Shelstad continuing to drain shots from deep while the Flames struggle to find any momentum on the offensive side of the ball. Oregon is currently on a 13-0 run.
Oregon Ducks get off to a blazing start, 5-7 and 3-5 from deep in opening minutes – Oregon 13, Liberty 2 (16:06, 1H)
The Ducks got off to a good start shooting the ball early in the game. They hit the first three shots of the game, including three of their first four 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Liberty struggled to find the bottom of the net and fell into a double-digit deficit just minutes into the game.
What channel is the Oregon-Liberty NCAA Tournament game? Time, TV schedule
TV Channel: truTV
Stream: NCAA March Madness Live App | Fubo TV (free trial for new subscribers)
Oregon Duckswill tip off vs. Liberty Flames on truTV. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Sling TV, which offers a free trial. Announcers for the game are Lisa Byington, Robbie Hummel, Jalen Rose, and Andy Katz.
Oregon vs. Liberty start time, TV Channel, and Location
TV Channel: truTV
Start time: 10:10 p.m. ET, 7:10 p.m. PT
Location: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle (WA)
Oregon vs Liberty odds in March Madness
Moneyline: Oregon -285 / Liberty +230
Spread: Oregon -6.5
Over/under: 138.5
Oregon Starting Lineup
- Jackson Shelstad
- Keeshawn Barthelemy
- TJ Bamba
- Brandon Angel
- Nate Bittle
Liberty Starting Lineup
- Colin Porter
- Kaden Metheny
- Owen Aquino
- Zach Cleveland
- Jayvon Maughmer
Oregon vs. Liberty Predictions, Game Picks
Oregon 77, Liberty 65: So long as the Ducks are able to defend against Liberty’s shooting, this is a game they should be able to win. While the Flames take and make as many 3-pointers as anyone in the country, if Oregon is able to spread their defense and contest shots, it will allow their size to take over the game. Offensively, the Ducks should be able to pound the paint in this game, feeding Nate Bittle and Brandon Angel inside and dominating on the offensive and defensive boards.
Oregon vs. Liberty Stats
Oregon
- PPG: 76.2
- PPG Allowed: 70.9
- FG Percentage: 45.7
- 3FG Percentage: 34.0
Liberty
- PPG: 76.6
- PPG Allowed: 62.9
- FG Percentage: 49.4
- 3FG Percentage: 39.0
Oregon Ducks basketball schedule 2023-24
Below are the past five games of Oregon Ducks 2023-24 basketball season.
Mar. 182-61 Win vs. USC TrojansMar. 473-64 Win vs. Indiana HoosiersMar. 980-73 OT Win vs. Washington HuskiesMar. 1372-59 Win vs. Indiana HoosiersMar. 1474-64 Loss to Michigan State SpartansMar. 21Oregon Ducks vs. Liberty Flames (NCAA Tournament)
Liberty Flames basketball schedule 2023-24
Below are the past five games of Liberty Flames 2023-24 basketball season.
Mar. 686-81 Win vs. Middle TennesseeMar. 890-61 Win vs. Western KentuckyMar. 1281-60 Win vs. UTEPMar. 1481-79 Win vs. Kennessaw StateMar. 1579-67 Win vs. Jacksonville StateMar. 21Oregon Ducks vs. Liberty Flames (NCAA Tournament)
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
