Somehow, the Ducks are in the NCAA Tournament. What seemed like a pipe dream just a couple of weeks ago is now a reality. Let’s look at how the Ducks got there, and more importantly, how they can advance, and become more than just a feel-good story. 1) The Ducks Take Advantage of a Weak Pac-12 A conference on the …
The good news about the crippling loss the Ducks suffered on Thursday is that it didn’t hurt them on Sunday. “They didn’t let the Huskies beat them twice,” as coaches say. The bad news? Twelve wins at this point in the season means they probably have to win the conference tourney to make the Big Dance. Or, win nine of …
Oregon is a bad shooting basketball team for a reason: they’re young. Troy Brown was a good college basketball player, but he isn’t a very good shooter. When Dillon Brooks, Malik Hairston, VJ Bailey and virtually every other highly touted recruit arrived in Eugene, they weren’t very good shooters. Here’s why. Simply put, most of them have never had to shoot …
A broken-down Oregon team left Boise last week, with its NCAA hopes improved after a 62-50 win over the Broncos. With Bol Bol, Kenny Wooten, and Abu Kigab out, and Louis King just getting back into shape, the Ducks gave themselves a shot of optimism as conference play begins. Then everything changed. Kigab stated he’s transferring this week, and now …
First Louis King was out, then Bol Bol, then Abu Kigab. Now, word comes that Kenny Wooten broke his jaw in the Baylor disaster. Oregon may have only three substitutes when they face Boise State, and there’s still a minute limit for King. Yikes. Word is Wooten may be out a month. A week after deciding not to redshirt, Miles …
Oregon’s offense never felt more vulnerable than the moment we learned Bol Bol hurt his foot against San Diego. And it never looked more vulnerable than in the first half against Boise State. Bol’s foot is in a walking boot and will be evaluated later this week. Say a prayer. Cross your fingers. Burn some incense. Do whatever you need …
Louis King’s game is unique. His physical presence changes the opponent’s offense, and his ability to score in multiple ways creates big match-up problems for coaches. The more you watch him play, the more you see his game has an abstract feeling to it. It’s more Jackson Pollack than Renoir, more Mondrian than Georgia O’Keeffe. That’s the best way I …
The Ducks, led in the wrong direction by Paul White, still look like they don’t even know their own offense. Very little movement, terrible offensive decision making, and four guys standing around wondering who else is going to go one-on-one. But if Coach Dana Altman saw what others did, Oregon could be fine. Will Richardson grew up against Houston, and …
I’ll start with Texas Southern as that’s what is on everyone’s mind. Oregon laid a second half egg. Bol Bol didn’t post up aggressively and got pushed toward the baseline, Oregon still doesn’t know who their second scorer is, and Paul White keeps making mental mistakes. He’s a fifth-year senior, so there are no excuses, really. And you have to put …
Oregon’s rebuilt roster has some fans so excited you’d think the Ducks were favored to win the NBA title. Let’s just see if they can win the Pac-12 first, okay? Five returning players – Paul White, Payton Pritchard, Kenny Wooten, Abu Kigab, and VJ Bailey – will mesh together with that vaunted third-ranked recruiting class. So, why is White a key to this …
The 2018 Oregon Ducks basketball season ended with a big thud last weekend. And while it would have been nice to see the Ducks make a run in the NIT, I get the feeling that Duck fans didn’t lose sleep over losing in the second round. With five straight NCAA Tournament appearances, Oregon fans have become accustomed to getting more out of …
Oregon’s 2018 recruiting class looks like it might be the best in Duck history. With a little luck it might be the best in the nation as well. The Ducks have three players who’ll be leaving the program after this year: Roman Sorkin, MiKyle McIntosh and Elijah Brown. High 4-star Miles Norris and 5-star Louis King are already committed. The list of …