The Oregon Ducks men's basketball squad has completed the first four games of their non-conference schedule, as they defeated Hawaii, Rice, South Dakota State and Oregon State all within the comforts of Matthew Knight Arena.
Now, they're set to head to Las Vegas, NV, for the Players Era Festival, one of the most highly-anticipated early-season tournaments in all of college basketball. The competition will be much stiffer in Las Vegas than it has been in Eugene this season, with some of the top teams in the nation set to face off.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Ducks enter as reigning champions, as they took down Texas A&M and San Diego State before beating Alabama in the championship game thanks to a Nate Bittle game-winning put-back dunk in the final seconds. Gone, however, are guards TJ Bamba and Keeshawn Barthelemy, Oregon's leading scorers in those three games.
In their place, shooting guard Takai Simpkins will be expected to step up, as he's averaging 14.0 points this season. Alongside him in the backcourt, the ever-steady point guard Jackson Shelstad (a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season along with Bittle) will engineer the offense once again.
With the Ducks commencing in Las Vegas, here's everything you'll need to know about Oregon's upcoming week, including what exactly is the Players Era Festival, how to watch each game and a preview of their scheduled opponents.
What is the Players Era Festival?
Nov 27, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Miles Byrd (21) and Oregon Ducks guard Jadrian Tracey (2) vie for a loose ball during the second half at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn ImagesThe Players Era Festival is a men's college basketball tournament held in Las Vegas. It debuted last year, holding just a handful of teams, with the Ducks coming away as the champion. This year, 18 of the top teams in the nation — including Alabama, Tennessee, Gonzaga, Houston and St. John's — will be present.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEach team will play three games, with the first two coming against scheduled opponents. The third will either be in the championship, third-place game or a consolation game. The tournament starts on Monday, Nov. 24 and concludes on Thursday, Nov. 27. The championship and third-place game will be played on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Oregon Ducks vs. Auburn Tigers Preview
Auburn Tigers forward Keyshawn Hall (7) celebrates his dunk as Auburn Tigers take on Wofford Terriers at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated Wofford Terriers 93-62.First Game: vs. No. 22 Auburn Tigers
When: Monday, Nov. 24 at 5:00 p.m. PST
Where: Michelob ULTRA Arena | | Las Vegas, NV
TV: TruTV
Auburn enters this game with a 4-1 record, having a lone one-point loss to No. 1 Houston on their resume. Their four wins have come against mid-major opponents in emphatic fashion. The head of the snake is forward Keyshawn Hall, who, as CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reports, will be a game-time decision with a foot injury against the Ducks. He transferred to the Tigers from UCF, and he's off to a terrific start this season: 23.3 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Despite standing just 6-foot-7, he's powerful and uses his athleticism in the paint.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn the perimeter, Tahaad Pettiford is the team's best guard. Though he's gotten off to a slow start, shooting just 28.8% from the field, he drew first-round buzz in last year's draft but decided to return to Auburn for his sophomore season and make a run at a national title.
Though it's early, seven Tigers average in double figures scoring, displaying themselves as a balanced team. Meanwhile, the Ducks have just three players averaging in double figures. Despite Auburn being favored by just -3.5 on ESPN Bet, Auburn has looked like a far better team than Oregon early in the season and it should be considered an upset if the Ducks come away with the win.
Oregon Ducks vs. San Diego State Aztecs Preview
Mar 18, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Magoon Gwath (0) dribbles the ball defended by North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elliot Cadeau (3) in the first half at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesSecond Game: vs. San Diego State
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhen: Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 8:00 p.m. PST
Where: Michelob ULTRA Arena | | Las Vegas, NV
TV: TNT
Considering where both teams are at this point in the season, the Ducks and Aztecs should match up well. San Diego State comes in with a 2-1 record, having comfortably beaten Long Beach State and Idaho State. They then suffered a devastating double overtime home loss to Troy — a game that was meant to be an early-season tune up. Their first game in the Players Era Festival will be against the No. 7 Michigan Wolverines at 7:30 p.m. PST, right after Oregon faces off against Auburn.
Arguably the Aztecs' top player, and certainly most talented, is 7-foot, 210-pounder Magoon Gwath. Though he's extremely tall and lengthy, he plays like a guard and is not shy to shoot threes. He was injured but came back for his first game against Troy and scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 28 minutes. With the matchup likely being too difficult for Bittle, it'll be interesting to see what Oregon head coach Dana Altman does defensively against Gwath.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMiles Byrd, at 6-foot-6, is another matchup nightmare on the perimeter. He's the team's point guard, averaging 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists through three games. He's a threat from beyond the arc, as he made nearly two triples a game last season. Also averaging 2.3 steals per game, both the offense and defense begin with Byrd, who will be a huge emphasis for Altman's squad.
Players Era Champion Betting Odds
Though the Ducks won it last year, they're near the bottom of the betting odds to win the championship.
Out of the 18 teams, Oregon has the 13th-best odds, sandwiched between the Aztecs and the Creighton Blue Jays. Their first opponent, Auburn, is tied with the 11th-best odds with San Diego State at +3000.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Players Era Festival preview for the Oregon Ducks
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