After losing so many key players from last year’s Final Four team, I entered this season with tempered expectations. And after a couple games into the PK80 (Phil Knight Invitational), it was apparent that this team didn’t have ”it.” So, I kicked back and resigned myself to the idea that this was a rebuilding year. That the goal of this season was to develop talent—develop role players—who would complement the …
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 …
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 …
A two-and-a-half mile walk from the legendary loudness of Autzen Stadium will bring you to Matthew Knight Arena: a $200-million office for a $2-million-a-year coach. In a few weeks, Altman will be entering his 27th season as a college basketball head coach and his 7th as the coach of the Oregon Ducks. During his career he has won Coach of the Year awards …
Stu Jackson was a member of the famous 1970s Ducks basketball team coined the “Kamikaze Kids” under head coach Dick Harter. Known for their aggressive, energetic play, the Kamikaze Kids became the foundation of “the Pit” and the crazy atmosphere in McArthur Court. After an impressive college career, Stu went on to be an assistant coach for the Ducks. He also …
The University of Oregon men’s basketball team has won 20 games in five straight seasons for the first time in the 110-year history of Ducks basketball. Oregon has had a significant run the past half decade, and there is no one more deserving of the Ducks’ success than Head Coach Dana Altman. As a senior at the University, and a lifelong Ducks …
Don’t look now, but the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team is 17-7 (7-4 Pac-12) and currently in third place in the Pac-12 standings. Wait, what? Did you just read that correctly? Yes. As a matter of fact you did. Coming into the season, many critics believed that the Ducks’ inexperience would hinder their chances of playing competitive basketball. But head …
The Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team returned to Matthew Knight Arena to square off against the Washington Huskies on Wednesday evening, and came out victorious with a thrilling 78-74 triumph. The Huskies (14-8, 3-7 Pac-12) entered the night on a slump, losing three of their previous four games. On the other hand, the Ducks (16-7, 6-4 Pac-12) came in on a …
Let it be said, that Ernie Kent can coach. After a shaky start, his Washington State Cougars have defeated Washington, California and now Oregon to move into third place in the Pac-12 Conference just a half game behind second place Stanford. The win over Oregon must have felt like redemption for Kent, who has always bled green and yellow. He …
Greg Ballard, small forward for the mid-1970’s Oregon basketball squad dubbed by journalists as the “Kamikaze Kids,” was among the most talented basketball players to ever grace the hardwoods of McArthur Court. Today, Ballard will be honored as Oregon’s Progressive Classic Legend of the Game at Matthew Knight Arena. Ballard’s contributions to the halls of Oregon athletic history are truly …
Following Oregon’s disastrous 1971-72 season, Dick Harter was finally able to land his first outstanding recruiting class that included guard Ronnie Lee, guard/forward Mark Barwig, forward/center Bruce Coldren, and center Geoff Nelson. Along with the holdovers from Harter’s 1971-72 team, five sophomores from the 1971-72 freshman team, and three walk-ons, the four freshmen would form the original version of the …
Many people around Oregon are excited about 3rd year coach Dana Altman. Hopeful that he will be able to take the Ducks to the next level. This got me thinking about the contrast between Dana Altman and Ernie Kent, so I am going to compare the two coaches based on their first three years in the program. BACKGROUND: Ernie Kent: …