Duck Basketball Returns Almost Nothing, but Has Enough to Beat Anyone

Bob Rickert Editorials

Coach Dana Altman has done it again. Despite losing eight players last spring, Oregon has enough talent to win 23-24 games and enough talent that they should be a Sweet Sixteen contender. Yes, it is amazing. The Oregon roster includes Payton Pritchard, Keith Smith, Roman Sorkin and players  you wouldn’t recognize if you stood next to them in the EMU. Here’s …

Kenny Wooten Brings Size, Athleticism, and Heart To Oregon Basketball

Bob Rickert Editorials

FishDuck Note: Oregon received the verbal commitment of Kenny Wooten yesterday, and it is expected he will sign a National Letter of Intent today with Oregon. He is an impact player, and we are fortunate to have Bob Rickert report on him immediately for all us basketball fans of our beloved Ducks.  Charles Fischer Kenny Wooten brings a level of …

Payton Pritchard Shoots to Lead Ducks Basketball

Bob Rickert Editorials

Never has there been a sport where a team’s future can change so quickly year after year after year. Just 12 months ago, the addition of Payton Pritchard seemed like a great get for Coach Dana Altman and his Oregon staff. After all, they had Dylan Ennis, Casey Benson, and Tyler Dorsey, who could all play the point. And even …

Freshman Keith Smith Finds His Role in Oregon’s Defense

August Howell Editorials

Not many people know a great deal about the bench players for Oregon Men’s Basketball. Many teams often see unfamiliar faces during blowouts or when coaches change strategy, for that matter. It’s important to realize that these guys, who can sometimes seem out of place on the court, are actually pretty darn good basketball players. As a role player coming …

Looking Back at Oregon’s Best Basketball Season in 78 Years

Bob Rickert Editorials

We all remember the losses and as coach Dana Altman said, ‘This one’s going to hurt for awhile.’ But there’s so much to be proud of this team for, and so much to look ahead to. The pre-season Oregon started the season with Chris Boucher on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Injuries hit them early, and they played without Dillon …

Oregon’s Final Four Loss to North Carolina in a Nutshell

Bob Rickert Analysis

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 Altman Era – Looking Ahead

Bob Rickert Editorials

Yes, Oregon is playing Michigan for a spot in the Elite 8. But for a couple moments let’s look at the trajectory of Oregon’s program under Dana Altman. Altman is on his way to being a Hall-of-Fame coach. One Final Four or one national title and he’s almost assured of it. At the pace he’s on, if he coaches another …

Can the Michigan Wolverines Deal With Dorsey?

Bob Rickert Editorials

We took a peek at Michigan a week ago when the brackets were announced. But it looked like the Ducks would face Louisville so we focused on the Cardinals. March Madness strikes again. Here’s an in-depth look at the Wolverines: Overall Oregon needs to hit shots and if so, they should win this game. I don’t just mean 3’s or …

Recruiting Update: Altman Picks Romar’s Pocket

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting Offers/Visits Taking a page from men’s basketball coach Dana Altman, linebackers headman Erik Chinander is looking north of the border to add to Eugene’s football wealth. Following a weekend visit, tabbed athlete Chase Claypool (NR/Abbotsford, BC) received a nod from Lightning Yellow and Thunder Green. “Oregon was pretty much the dream offer I wanted,” said Claypool. “I did a …