Oregon didn’t lose to North Carolina because they didn’t block out at the end. They didn’t lose because they didn’t have Chris Boucher. Oregon lost because Oregon didn’t play as smart as they normally do. Bad shots and more bad shots Carolina goaded them into shooting not just 3’s, but deep 3’s. Very deep 3’s. Look at this shot chart. …
The Basketball gods had way-too-much fun messing with Oregon fans on April Fools Day. Crush our hopes with the injury to Chris Boucher, and then surprise us with an impressive win over one of college basketball’s blue-bloods in Kansas? So many of us truly did not know what to expect in this game, as there were so many areas that …
“I thought that Kansas would be the Champion, but now I believe it will be the Tar Heels” - Tommy Ogburn, Eden, N.C., Retired from Sales (life-long UNC supporter) Saturday’s Final Four Semi-Final game looms at the apex of the universe of NCAA basketball. The match-up in the second game of the night pits the (Carolina) blue bloods of UNC against …
Make no mistake about it. Without Matthew Knight Arena, the Ducks wouldn’t have Dana Altman, they wouldn’t have the talent, and they wouldn’t be in the final four. Or would they? Because in a disturbing alternate reality where MKA is still a piece of land with an old bakery on it, the Ducks would still be celebrating 2017 in the …
Here we are, Duck fans. This is the stage on which we have all dreamed for years to see our beloved Ducks (78 years for those of you who have been around that long). With four games down and four teams left, here are four keys to Oregon taking home that National Championship trophy. 1. Balanced Scoring Effort While Tyler Dorsey …
With so many physical disadvantages, Oregon’s chances to beat North Carolina come down to a few things. Do Oregon’s guards rebound? Does the team play its tempo? And do the players take it to the basket when they can, draw fouls or hit open shooters? Then, do they knock down those shots? Matchups and Mismatches Mean Everything The Tar Heels have …
ESPN Charlotte 730 AM host Chris Allison sat down with FishDuck.com’s Bob Rickert for an in-depth look at Oregon’s challenges in the Final Four against North Carolina. Allison is a long-time friend and former colleague of Rickert. They used this opportunity to renew their friendship and to discuss the upcoming big game. Bob is known for offering more of an analytical …
The Oregon Ducks are going to the Final Four. They haven’t been this close to a national championship since winning it all in 1939. This is a monumental accomplishment for head coach Dana Altman, who has brought consistency and pride to Eugene. The Ducks have won two consecutive Pac-12 championships and are in the NCAA tournament for the fifth season …
A lot will be written about the Tall Firs of 1939 this week. Years ago, I interviewed guard John Dick who started on that squad. Dick, who grew up in The Dalles, went on to become an Admiral in the Navy and later retired in Eugene, where he lived until his death in 2011. Oregon’s ride back to the Final …
The Ducks beat Kansas Saturday with defense and because they rebounded. There’s so much to love about that win, and as coach Dana Altman pointed out, a few things to work on as they get ready for North Carolina in the Final Four. The Hot Hand Tyler Dorsey’s great first half gave the Ducks a cushion, momentum and belief that they …
Is that one of most improbable, surprising and stunning men’s basketball games in your memory? It should be, because by defeating one of the blue-bloods of college basketball in Kansas, (74-60) our beloved Ducks will play in the Final Four next Saturday for the first time in the modern era. I am still stunned, because even as a devoted Ducks …
One weekend and a half in and your NCAA tourney bracket is shattered beyond belief. Why? Where did you go wrong? You calculated the assist/turnover ratio in neutral-site games played in December, but before Christmas. You searched the power rankings put out by ESPN, NPR, and The Food Network. This was supposed to be your year. Alas, you made just …