Wynton Skowrup

For a fleeting moment, post All-Star break, it looked like the Portland Trail Blazers were finally putting it together. Even with the season-ending injury to Deandre Ayton in early February, the mismatched combination of young stars, declining veterans, and forgotten role players that make up this year’s Blazer squad was starting to gel, seemingly at the right time.

The number is down to two. Two more games. Hopefully two more wins. And if all goes to plan, a triumphant march into the Big Ten title game with the splendor of an undefeated regular season hanging over their shoulders. On Saturday, the Ducks will play their final away game in Madison against a shaky but competitive Wisconsin team. A team that is aware of the ramifications an upset would create and that this is their last chance at a big, statement win before the year ends.

The path forward is clear. Three more regular-season wins and Oregon can march into the Big Ten championship game in Lucas Oil Stadium with an undefeated record and an all-but-guaranteed playoff spot. The Ducks would undoubtedly love to enter such a big contest in a position of safety, knowing a rematch with fellow powerhouse Ohio State or a new challenger in Penn State or upstart Indiana could easily end in a loss heading into the playoffs.