The caliber of opponent, Oregon’s size and Altman’s track record are all factors in why Liberty coach Ritchie McKay, formerly of Portland State and Oregon State, was both excited on Selection Sunday and said, ‘oh, man," when he saw the Ducks were the first opponent.

Both Oregon and Liberty (Friday, 7:10 pm PST, TruTV) are coming into the NCAA tournament as two hot teams with the Ducks winning eight of their last nine and the Flames are winners of 11 of their last 12,