Oregon men's basketball ends pause, preps for Oregon State clash

The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team, ranked No. 21 in the nation, announced on Monday that it has been cleared to resume activities ahead of this coming Saturday's home game versus the Oregon State Beavers. 

Oregon paused last week due to COVID-19 protocols and had games against the Arizona State Sun Devils, Arizona Wildcats, and UCLA Bruins postponed. Oregon will now face UCLA on Jan. 28 and Feb. 1. The matchups versus Arizona State and Arizona haven't yet been rescheduled. 

"The health and safety of our student-athletes is always our top priority, and we are grateful to our medical team for guiding us through this process," Oregon head coach Dana Altman said in the prepared statement. "We are resuming activities today and will continue following all COVID-related protocols."

Oregon hasn't competed since notching a 79-73 victory over the Utah Utes on Jan. 9 that improved the Ducks to 9-2 overall and 4-1 in Pac-12 play. Altman's players will now be tested in a big way, as Oregon will play four games between Jan. 23 and the end of Feb. 1. 

Oregon State, meanwhile, is 6-5 overall and 2-3 in conference play heading into Tuesday's showdown with the USC Trojans.