Ducks prepare for Brooklyn

The Oregon Ducks will head to the Big Apple to partake in the Progressive Legends Classic at the Barclays Center. Joining them will be three other heavyweight basketball programs: the Michigan Wolverines, Villanova Wildcats, and the Virginia Commonwealth Rams. It will be the first real test for the Ducks and an opportunity for them to demonstrate to the nation that they are worthy of being ranked in the top 25.

Oregon has a tall task ahead of them as all three of their potential opponents are currently ranked in the top 20 in the country. Villanova has the highest ranking of the bunch, currently 12^th, with VCU the 14^th-ranked team in the AP’s Top 25 and Michigan ranked 19^th. Even if Oregon can depart the tournament with just one win, it will show to their alumni and fans that they are for real this year and will be a serious consideration for the NCAA Tournament.

This is one of the premier early season showcases on the college basketball schedule and a sellout crowd is expected for both doubleheaders on Monday and Tuesday. It’s still not too late to find your way to Brooklyn if you want to watch the Ducks take on some of the nation’s best. The best resource for travel deals and tips is Hipmunk.com. Hipmunk currently has the best rates for flights into New York City, either LaGuardia Airport or JFK International. They also have options for your stay anywhere in the five boroughs. You’ll be able to find great deals on Airbnb in Manhattan, or you can indulge yourself for less at Brooklyn’s best boutique hotels. Hotels start for just $100 per night so you’ll certainly be able to find something inexpensive.

Oregon will need all the support they can get when they face off against Michigan to start off the tournament. A win will put them in the final on Tuesday and they will face the winner of Villanova versus VCU. A loss and they will play Tuesday against the loser of Villanova-VCU in the consolation game. Either way, they have two ranked opponents ahead of them in back-to-back days and an opportunity to kick off the 2014-15 season with a bang.