Short-handed Oregon pursues improved performance vs. Rice

Field Level Media|published: Fri 7th November, 07:12 2025

Players celebrate Oregon guard Takai Simpkins after the game as the Oregon Ducks host the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors on Nov. 4, 2025, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon.

Twenty-one turnovers and a 2-for-16 performance from the 3-point arc don't typically lead to a win. However, Oregon posted those team statistics in its season opener on Tuesday and still walked off its home court with a one-point victory over Hawaii.

The Ducks hope to be better on Friday night when they host Rice in Eugene, Ore., in a nonconference college basketball matchup.

Oregon (1-0) figures to be without Jackson Shelstad again as he nurses a broken right hand. The star guard is expected back on the court after a couple of more games and in time for the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas during Thanksgiving week.

The Ducks also figure to be without another starter, forward Kwame Evans Jr., who injured his left knee against Hawaii.

"Everything looks good," Oregon coach Dana Altman said of Shelstad. "I think they're going to talk with his parents and talk to the doctors again and maybe start doing some non-contact stuff. We obviously need him. He runs our stuff, he knows our stuff."

Not having the steady Shelstad to handle the ball and take the crunch-time shots down the stretch against the Rainbow Warriors almost cost the Ducks the game. Elon transfer Takai Simpkins, however, sent the crowd home happy with a game-winning layup with 4.2 seconds to play.

Rice (1-0) is coming off a 109-38 home win over College of Biblical Studies on Tuesday in its season opener. The Owls went 13-19 last season.

The Owls scored 65 first-half points vs. the Ambassadors, the most points in a half in school history. Their 71-point victory margin was the second largest in program history, and six Rice players scored in double figures.

Rice, of the American Conference, is on a 55-year drought of not qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.

"We need to become one of the better defensive teams in our league," coach Rob Lanier told the Thresher campus newspaper. "If we're the worst defensive team in the league, and we've got to outscore everyone to win, it's probably not going to be realistic, but if we're defending and rebounding at a very high level, then we'll have our chance."

--Field Level Media