INDIANAPOLIS — Oregon isn’t afraid of the big boys. In fact, coach Dana Altman considers his Ducks among the big boys.
Altman’s 12th-seeded squad is surrounded by NCAA Tournament giants Louisville, Duke and Michigan State in the Midwest Region. But entering tonight’s Sweet 16 clash with the overall No. 1-seeded Cardinals, the coach will not allow his team to be intimidated by legacy.
“They’re the big schools,” guard Damyean Dotson recalled Altman saying, “[but] we’re a big school.”
Oregon is unquestionably the “other” team in its region. The other three are the region’s top three seeds, and all have superstar coaches — Louisville’s Rick Pitino, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski.
This is Altman’s first Sweet 16, and he is trying to lead the Ducks to their first Final Four since 1939 — when the tournament consisted of just eight teams.
“Those three guys have unbelievable careers, and they’re all going to be Hall of Fame coaches,” Altman said yesterday. “All three of those programs, because of their coaches, have great records, great traditions. We’re trying to build a tradition. We’re trying to build something that consistently competes year in, year out, and that’s a big challenge for us.”
The reason why the Midwest’s No. 4 and 5 seeds aren’t in Indy is because Oregon knocked both out last week. The Ducks drilled No. 5 Oklahoma State in their opener, 68-55, then blasted No. 4 Saint Louis, 74-57. That makes five straight wins for Oregon.
“I think this is just the beginning for us [as a program],” guard Johnathan Lloyd said. “We’re about to make a name for ourselves now.”
Building a consistent winner doesn’t come easy, and the next step is a doozy. The Ducks have turned it over 18 times in each of their two NCAA Tournament games, and tonight they’re facing Pitino’s defense, which forced an average of 22 turnovers in its two tourney wins.
“I’m hoping 15-16 is a number we can hold it to,” Altman said, a modest total, but the Ducks are facing an unfamiliar defense. “I don’t think we can prepare for the speed of Louisville, their quickness, their guard quickness, their overall team speed and the different looks they throw at you.”
Louisville has won 12 straight — by an average of 17.6 points. But Pitino said he isn’t worried about his team tightening up in a close game.
“They’re a humble group,” he said, “and we’ve just been able to pull away at the end of some games.”
His crew will now attempt that against the region’s overshadowed opponent.
mark.hale@nypost.com