Ducks Whip Wisconsin to Advance in NCAA Tournament

Darren Perkins Editorials

“Offense is more fun, but defense gets the job done” would be a fitting new motto for the Oregon Ducks basketball team. This was a battle of two teams who play stingy defense. If you’re a fan of fast-paced, high-scoring basketball then hopefully you looked away from your television screen during the first half on Friday afternoon. But in the …

Oregon’s “Chameleon” Defense

Bob Rickert Editorials

Oregon’s defense is what got them into the NCAA Tournament, and it’s their defense that can carry them to the Sweet 16. We’ve touched on the brilliance of Coach Dana Altman’s defensive schemes all season. Today we present a deeper look. “The Chameleon” looks like one defense, morphs into another, then shows itself as even another — sometimes in the …

Oregon Women Nation’s Best? Men Stay Alive for NCAA Berth

Bob Rickert Editorials

First the Oregon women. Wow, I didn’t see that coming! Oregon just destroyed Stanford, busting the three-decade losing streak at Maples Pavilion to pieces. Let’s talk about why they’re so dangerous right now. It’s not just Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard; Satou Sabally and Erin Boley are starting to play like All-Americans. Does Boley ever miss when she gets her feet …

Snakebitten Men’s Basketball, Recruiting and Women’s Hoops

Bob Rickert Editorials

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 Basketball With and Without Bol Bol

Bob Rickert Editorials

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 …

Appreciating the Art of Louis King’s Game

Bob Rickert Editorials

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 …

Oregon Basketball at a Turning Point. Bring on the “Richardson Solution.”

Bob Rickert Editorials

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 …

Oregon Basketball Flops, the Offense, and Recruiting

Bob Rickert Editorials

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 …

The “Dog” Days of Oregon Basketball

Darren Perkins Editorials

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 …

Oregon Men’s Basketball: The Non-Conference Grades

Mark Weinrott Analysis

How good is this current Duck basketball team? Here is one fan’s assessment of the Oregon’s 2017-18 team roster through the non-conference games. Full disclosure: I have no basketball coaching background, nor did I have much of a competitive playing career. However, I have been an avid fan long enough to have attended NBA doubleheaders and to have observed Dick …