Luke Ridnour threw up during last Thursday’s loss to Arizona State.
“Twice,” said the freshman point guard.
No, this was not a result of Oregon’s awful play last weekend, but rather because he was battling the flu all week.
The trip to Arizona, though, did make many of the Ducks sick to their stomachs as they dropped both games in the desert by a combined 51 points. The defeats dropped Oregon to 13-14 overall and 4-13 in the Pacific-10 Conference.
“It was ugly,” senior Flo Hartenstein said. “We weren’t ready to play.”
The Ducks played flat, and as a result, Oregon head coach Ernie Kent gave his team Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off to rest up for this week’s practice preparation for Saturday’s Civil War game in Corvallis.
“I thought they needed that,” Oregon head coach Ernie Kent said. “I thought we were a very tired basketball team down there in the desert. They certainly were more refreshed today.
“And of course when the sun’s out, it seems to give you a little more energy.”
The rare Eugene sunshine combined with the three-day break appeared to have a positive effect on the Ducks during Wednesday afternoon’s practice — the only practice open to the media all week.
Many Oregon players sported smiles and played with enthusiasm as they wound down their workout with a five-on-five drill. They know that their season could be over after Saturday, but want to at least go out on a winning note.
“We just got to go for it all when we’re on the court, because that’s it, it’s your last one,” Ridnour said. “If we win, we have a chance, but if you lose, you’re done.”
Yes, that’s right, despite losing 13 of 16 games, Oregon still has a chance at the NIT. Before, the talk was that the Ducks had to win two of its remaining games to receive an invitation. But in actuality, all they have to win is one to finish .500 and become eligible to be selected.
Oregon has submitted a bid to host a first round NIT game, as well as saying that it would play on the road. The NIT, which has accepted six .500 teams in the past three years, could lean Oregon’s way because of the attraction of McArthur Court. The Ducks hosted two NIT games in 1999.
Kent knows that even with one more victory, his team might not go, but says at least it gives his team extra incentive.
“I think the fact that there is the possibility [of the NIT] has kept their focus,” Kent said. “I don’t think there’s any letdown or slippage like, ‘Okay, the season’s over, we don’t have to practice hard.’ We just put that [Arizona] game behind us.”
The Ducks certainly have entered the month of March in a much different fashion than last season. At this time a year ago, Oregon was coming off of two memorable wins against the Arizona schools and eyeing its second NCAA Tournament appearance since 1961.
“Every season’s different, and we had so much talent, but didn’t really do what we wanted to do,” said Hartenstein, who will play in his 112th game at Oregon. “We had higher goals, so that’s disappointing. Especially after you have such a good year last year and then really have the opposite this year. But we have to keep on going. Life goes on. Just pick yourself up and mentally prepare yourself for the next game.”
That next game of course being Saturday’s season-ending 7 p.m. contest with Oregon State at Gill Coliseum.