So, you’re looking to catch some Ducks action. Honestly, this is one of those mid-January stretches where the energy in Eugene shifts completely. We’ve just come off the high-stakes drama of the football postseason, and now the focus has slammed squarely into the hardwood of Matthew Knight Arena. If you’re asking who does Oregon play this weekend, the short answer is a top-five powerhouse from the Big Ten, but there's actually a bit more on the calendar than just that marquee matchup.
Saturday, January 17, 2026, is the big one. The Oregon men’s basketball team is hosting the No. 4 Michigan Wolverines.
It’s a 1:00 PM PT tip-off. If you aren't heading down to the arena to smell the popcorn and feel the floor shake, you'll find it on NBC. This isn't just another conference game; it’s a measuring stick for Dana Altman’s squad, which has had a bit of a rocky road lately.
The Big Matchup: Oregon vs. Michigan
The Ducks enter this game with an 8-9 record (1-5 in the Big Ten), which, let’s be real, isn't where anyone wanted them to be at this point in the season. They’re coming off a heartbreaker—a narrow 88-85 overtime loss to Rutgers. Michigan, on the other hand, is cruising. They’re 15-1 and looking every bit like a national title contender.
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But here’s the thing about Oregon at home: Matthew Knight Arena does weird things to ranked teams. Remember 2023? Oregon took down Michigan 86-83 in an overtime thriller right here in Eugene. The history is tight, too. Michigan leads the all-time series 5-3, but the Ducks have a way of making life miserable for the Wolverines when they travel out West.
Who’s In and Who’s Out?
This is where it gets a little dicey for the Ducks. If you were hoping to see the full roster at 100%, I've got some tough news. Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle are both officially OUT for this game. Losing those two is a massive blow to the rotation.
Shelstad has been the engine for this offense, and Bittle provides that crucial rim protection and length that you desperately need against a team like Michigan. Without them, the weight falls on the shoulders of guys like Wei Lin. Lin just dropped a career-high 23 points against Rutgers, including six triples. He’s going to have to be "that guy" again if Oregon wants to keep this competitive.
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Don't Forget the Rest of the Weekend
While the men's game is the headliner, the weekend doesn't stop on Saturday afternoon. There’s a lot of green and yellow moving around the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
- Men’s Tennis: If you're into the racquet sports, the men's tennis team is taking on Portland at the Student Tennis Center in Eugene. That one starts at 5:00 PM PT on Saturday, right after the basketball game lets out.
- Women’s Basketball: On Sunday, January 18, the women's team is out on the road. They’re heading to Madison to face Wisconsin at 1:00 PM PT. You can catch that one on the Big Ten Network.
- Men’s Tennis (Again): They have a double-header weekend, playing Portland State on Sunday at noon back in Eugene.
The Football Hangover
It's worth acknowledging the elephant in the room. Just a week ago, the football team's season came to a close in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl. It was a rough 56-22 loss to Indiana, but the vibe in Eugene is actually pretty optimistic.
Why? Because Dante Moore announced he’s coming back for the 2026 season. He passed on the NFL Draft, and suddenly, Oregon’s 2026-27 championship odds have jumped up to +800. So, while we're watching basketball this weekend, everyone is secretly already counting down the days until the season opener against Boise State in September.
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How to Watch and Listen
If you're planning your Saturday around the game, here are the vitals:
- TV: NBC (1:00 PM PT).
- Radio: Tune into KUJZ 95.3 FM in Eugene or KRSK 105.1 FM in Portland.
- Live Stats: Keep the GoDucks.com live stats page open if you're like me and need to see the shooting percentages in real-time.
Basically, it's a massive "prove it" weekend for the basketball program. Facing a #4 ranked team without your two best players is a nightmare scenario, but that's exactly the kind of game where a random bench player becomes a local legend for a night.
Check the weather if you're driving into Eugene—it's been typical January gray, but the arena should be loud enough to wake up the whole south side of town.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check ticket availability on the secondary market if you want to go last-minute; prices usually dip right before tip-off for noon/1 PM starts.
- Download the Oregon Ducks app to manage your digital tickets and get the latest injury updates before the women's game on Sunday.
- Keep an eye on the Big Ten standings; a win here, however unlikely the oddsmakers say it is, would be the jumpstart this conference season needs.