Oregon Ducks Basketball Faces Unprecedented Struggles in Season 16
Oregon men’s basketball is navigating its most challenging season in nearly two decades, a stark departure from the consistent success established by head coach Dana Altman. After 15 consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins and a guaranteed postseason berth, the Ducks (8-16, 1-12) are grappling with a cascade of injuries and a 10-game losing streak, threatening to end Altman’s impressive run in Eugene.
The downturn began before the season even tipped off, with key players facing significant health setbacks. In October, star guard Jackson Shelstad suffered a broken right hand. While he briefly returned to action, he sustained further ligament damage to the same hand on December 28 against Omaha, effectively ending his season. Fellow key player Nate Bittle has battled an ankle injury since late November 2025 and a more serious foot injury on January 13, 2026, against Nebraska. The injury woes haven’t stopped there, with Ege Demir missing the last five games and Devon Pryor dealing with a groin injury for the past two weeks.
“The roster has been beaten up all season,” a source close to the program confirmed.
Despite the adversity, Bittle recently returned to the court, leading the team with 23 points in 34 minutes against Purdue last weekend. However, that promising performance was quickly overshadowed by a decisive defeat at Indiana two days later, extending the losing streak to 10 games – the longest skid in Dana Altman’s 37-year coaching career and the longest for the program since the 2008-09 season.
A major contributing factor to Oregon’s struggles has been their offensive inefficiency. Currently ranked 309th nationally in shooting percentage at 42.5%, the Ducks have consistently struggled to find the bottom of the net. Against Purdue, they showcased flashes of brilliance in the first half, only to see their shooting percentage plummet to 37% after halftime. This pattern continued against Indiana, where they shot just 40% in the first half and, despite improving to 50% in the second, couldn’t overcome the opposition’s impressive 81.8% shooting performance.
Defensively, Oregon has also faltered, allowing opponents to shoot 49.2% from the floor during their current losing streak and ranking 239th nationally in field goal defense. The injuries to key defenders, particularly Bittle, have undoubtedly played a role. Despite battling through multiple injuries, including issues with both ankles and a persistent foot injury, Bittle continues to compete.
“Credit the fifth-year senior for continuing to battle,” a team insider noted. “It would have been easy for him to pack it in for the season.”
The absence of two All-Big Ten-caliber players, coupled with the numerous other injuries, has left the Ducks lacking the firepower to consistently compete. This season is poised to be the first during Altman’s tenure in Eugene where the team fails to reach at least 20 wins. Despite the challenges, the team continues to demonstrate resilience, as evidenced by their competitive showing against Purdue.
Looking ahead, the schedule offers a slight reprieve, with four of the last seven games at home and only two away from the West Coast. Over the next month, Altman will be hoping for continued effort from his squad, aiming to climb out of the league’s cellar and build momentum for the offseason. A crucial opportunity for a positive result arises on Saturday when fellow Big Ten bottom-dweller Penn State (11-14, 2-12) visits Matthew Knight Arena. The outcome of that game could signal the start of a strong finish or represent another low point in a season defined by adversity.
