The Oregon women's basketball team is in the field of 64 for the NCAA Tournament as of March 21, 2025. After two years away from tournament play, the Ducks are set to make their return, fueled by a season-long goal of competing at this level. Guard Peyton Scott expressed pride in the team's accomplishment, saying, "It was so cool and it was so cool for a lot of reasons. This is my first time experiencing it and just setting out a goal from the beginning to get to this point for everyone is a super-cool opportunity. So, I'm super proud of our team to even have our name called." The Ducks enter this tournament as the No. 10 seed, facing No. 7 Vanderbilt in Durham, North Carolina.
Oregon's journey in the tournament has been paved with hard work and determination. They finished eighth in the Big Ten standings before falling to Indiana in the second round of the conference tournament. Now, they look to make a mark in March Madness, which has been a goal for the team since the beginning of the season. Deja Kelly, another guard, shared her excitement ahead of the matchup, noting, "March is where the best teams rise and when you play your best basketball, so I'm really excited to see what we do and what we can do. Our ceiling is very very high. I'm excited. I think we have no other choice than to play our best basketball."
The winner of the contest between Oregon and Vanderbilt will advance to face either host No. 2 Duke or No. 15 Lehigh on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Fans can catch the game on ESPNews, beginning at 2:30 p.m. PT, with Jenn Hildreth and Kelly Gamlich calling the action.
Vanderbilt, too, finds itself in a thrilling position, making its second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Commodores have not reached the second round since 2013, and hope to change that this year as they prepare to face the Ducks. Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph has emphasized the importance of focusing on the present moment, stating, "I've been telling the players... to take full advantage of the day we have today, the media, the practice, the experience to prepare for the game we have tomorrow and that's it, to focus on that."
Ralph, aware of the weight of the moment, added, "The most important game of our season right now is Oregon. We're very excited to be here. We know we've earned this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to us playing our best basketball of the year." The Commodores finished eighth in the SEC and boast a NET ranking of No. 22. They closed out their season with a mixed bag of results, including a tough loss to South Carolina in the SEC tournament after winning three games in a row.
Cameron Indoor Stadium offers a familiar backdrop for Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes, a freshman standout who has made waves throughout the season. Blakes' brother Jaylen played for Duke, and her frequent visits during his time there have made the arena almost a second home for her. She reflected on the experience, saying, "Yeah, it's been a lot of time. I think I was almost at every single one of his home games when he was here."
Vanderbilt's offense has been explosive, averaging 83.6 points per game, led by the sensational Blakes who is scoring 23.2 points per game. Sophomore Khamil Pierre provides additional firepower, averaging 20.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per contest. In comparison, Oregon averages 68.2 points per game and allows 62.9, relying heavily on its defense to clinch victories.
As for the odds leading into the matchup, BetMGM shows Oregon as a +5.5 underdog with an over/under set at 144.5 points. Vanderbilt's moneyline is -250, with Oregon sitting at +200. The ESPN matchup predictor gives Oregon a mere 25.4% chance to upset the Commodores, with advanced metrics putting their chances of advancing to the second round at 30.1%.
The buildup to this tournament clash is palpable, with both teams bringing distinct strengths to the court. Oregon seeks to harness its defensive prowess, while Vanderbilt looks to unleash its high-octane offense. As the teams prepare to battle for their tournament lives, fans can expect an exciting display of talent and determination as March Madness unfolds.
In the annals of women's college basketball history, moments like these resonate. The excitement, the pressure, and the chance to create memories that last a lifetime—to solidify a legacy in the tournament's dramatic landscape. As the game tips off in Durham, fans of both Oregon and Vanderbilt will be glued to their screens, ready to witness history.
