Players Era Championship Preview, NIL Winnings

EUGENE – The Oregon Ducks men’s basketball program is undefeated with a record of 7-0 after defeating both Texas A&M and San Diego State at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks will now face arguably their biggest challenge of the season in the tournament championship game at Alabama. The winning team is entitled to $1.5 million in Names, Images and Likenesses (NIL).

The Ducks began the tournament with a clean sweep over Texas A&M, defeating the Aggies 80-70. The Oregon Ducks remained undefeated and secured their spot in the Players Era Festival championship game with a 78-68 victory over San Diego State on Tuesday.

Oregon dominated on the boards and beat the Aztecs 41-24. Villanova transfer TJ Bamba was one of five Ducks in double figures and set a season-high for the second straight day by leading the Ducks with 22 points. Keeshawn Barthelemy added 16 points and five steals, while Jackson Shelstad and Brandon Angel each contributed 12 points.

“I like the direction we’re going. We have a lot of depth,” Oregon head coach Dana Altman said after the win. “We have a few young guys who can step in and give us a few more minutes. It’s only November, but I like the direction we’re going.”

Alabama has a 6-1 record, with its only loss coming Nov. 15 against No. 13 Purdue, a conference opponent Oregon will face later in the season.

Despite not being in the same conference, Oregon and Alabama are no strangers. The Ducks are 3-2 against the Tide, their last meeting coming in the 2023 season when Oregon defeated Alabama 99-91 in the Emerald Coast Classic.

Like Oregon, the Crimson Tide had a successful run at the Players Era Festival, beating both No. 6 Houston and Rutgers by five points to earn a spot in the championship game. Oregon enters the match as a 5.5-point favorite.

Alabama has been a dangerous opponent offensively, scoring 280 points in the last three games while averaging 89.7 points per game. In the team’s most recent win over Rutgers, Alabama’s Grant Nelson was just one rebound away from a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. Mouhamed Dioubate also achieved a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Oregon has excelled offensively this season, averaging 81.1 points per game. In the Ducks’ win over SDSU, they dominated from distance and made 45.5 percent of their three-pointers.

With both teams having a proven ability to score goals, defense will be key. Oregon has played well defensively so far this season, scoring 66.9 points per game. Oregon will need a strong defensive performance on Saturday to maintain its undefeated record.

It’s not just about a win for Oregon and Alabama, it’s also about money. The winning team of the tournament receives millions in zero payouts. Although pay-for-play tournaments violate NCAA regulations, each participating team receives $1 million in NIL payouts. This is possible through teams’ actions to “participate in side events that are independent of teams’ participation in festival games.”

The Ducks and Crimson Tide will face off at MGM Arena on Saturday, November 30th at 6:30 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on TNT.