History will likely be made tonight at Matthew Knight Arena.
Entering Oregon women’s basketball home-opener against Hampton at 6 p.m. (on GoDucks.com Live Stream), senior Jillian Alleyne is just six rebounds shy of becoming the UO career record holder in rebounds. Bev Smith, who had 1,362 boards during her time at Oregon from 1978-1982, currently sits No. 1.
Alleyne has spent time with Smith, who has cheered her on as she bolts for the record books. Alleyne spent a weekend volunteering at KIDSPORTS, a non-profit camp, run by Smith, that provides youth sports programs for youngsters in the Eugene/Springfield area.
“It’s a big deal,” Alleyne said on Wednesday before practice. “But just doing what I need to do for my team—it’s not something that I focus on, but it’s a great honor.”
Head coach Kelly Graves said Smith frequents practice and remains a fixture around the program. Last spring, Graves called Smith the “Larry Bird of Oregon women’s basketball.”
“Jill is an iconic player, no doubt about it,” Graves said.
This week, Alleyne was one of 30 student-athletes named to the Wooden Award watch list, given annually to the top player in the nation.
Last Sunday, the Ducks (1-0) toppled No. 22 North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 79-77. Oregon held off a pair of potential game-winning 3-pointers in the final 25 minutes.
“Hopefully we can build on that really nice win,” Graves said. “They really earned it. When we really needed to make plays, we did it.”
Lexi Petersen said the UNC upset was the “biggest road win” in her five years with the program. She said the game helped further the Ducks’ goal of making the NCAA Tournament in March because of the confidence they took home with them.
“It was such a turning point for our team,” Petersen, who had 14 points and three rebounds against the Tar Heels, said. “We just stayed very composed as a team, which we haven’t had in years past. I think Kelly [Graves] has kind of instilled that in us and had a sense of calm throughout the game.”
Alleyne, who finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds, was forced to sit much of the second quarter after picking up her second foul early.
“That’s something that we have to be conscious about,” Alleyne said.
Hampton (0-2), which lost to Washington State 68-61 on Monday night, enters tonight’s game shooting 38 percent from the field. Hampton returns the MEAC’s conference player of the year in Malia Tate-Defreitas, who is averaging 21.5 points through two games thus far.
“They’ve won five straight conference championships and have been to the NCAA Tournament in four of the last five years,” Graves said. “Those kids know how to win. They’re returning some good players. It’s certainly going to be a tall task.”
Tonight begins a 10-game home stand for the Ducks in nonconference play. Oregon’s next road game is its Pac-12 opener on Jan. 2 at UCLA.
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne