Tuesday was suppose to bring forth some truth.
Tuesday was suppose to clear up some of the misunderstanding and allow Jody Runge to speak her mind.
But like many aspects of the Oregon women’s basketball team’s season, Tuesday was a bit disappointing.
After more than half of the 14 players on the Oregon basketball squad privately told Athletic Director Bill Moos that Runge, their coach, should be fired, the Ducks held their first practice, as normal, at 3:30 Tuesday afternoon.
Nothing else, however, was even remotely normal.
Prior to practice, a group of reporters — numbering about a dozen — gathered in the hallway outside the McArthur Court gym, hoping to get some answers about the players’ Sunday meeting and quotes about this weekend’s crucial matchup with Oregon State.
The only problem was that Runge apparently instructed her players to not talk with the media.
David Williford, director of media services, and Andrew Longeteig, assistant director, asked three players — seniors Angelina Wolvert, Lindsey Dion and Brianne Meharry — whether they wanted to speak with the media. The players agreed to talk, but it was made clear that they would only answer questions about Saturday’s Civil War game.
When asked about Oregon’s focus on Oregon State in light of last Sunday’s meeting, Wolvert replied: “No comment. Just come out and play like we normally do, nothing changed.”
Wolvert and Meharry were still being interviewed 10 minutes later when Runge walked into the hallway, stopped, and shouted at Williford and Longeteig for allowing the players to speak.
“What part of that do you not understand?” she said.
After Runge went into the gym, Longeteig and Williford indicated they had an earlier discussion with Runge about the media’s access to the players.
“We had conversations today, let’s just leave it at that,” Williford said.
The two remaining seniors were immediately directed into the gym to start practice — but not before Meharry delivered a sarcastic remark as she disappeared behind Mac Court’s double doors: “Wish me luck.”
That may be the last we hear from the Ducks in a while.

Do you agree with . . . the players?
The Emerald’s weekly sports poll asks your opinion about the Runge fiasco. Thus far, 87 percent of the 23 voters think that this should be Runge’s final year at the helm of the reigning Pacific-10 Conference championship team.
Just three voters want her to stay.
What do you think? Click on the sports section to cast your vote.

Meanwhile, in Corvallis
The red-hot Oregon State team, winners of five straight, are well aware of the Eugene turmoil.
Following an uneventful practice Tuesday, Beaver coach Judy Spoelstra said the Oregon meeting will not likely affect the Ducks’ preparation for the Civil War.
“We’re trying to keep it as separate as possible, but lately a lot of people keep bringing it to our attention,” Spoelstra said. “The bottom line is that the players are the ones who play the game, the coaches don’t have to go out there and play the game.
“It’s an unfortunate situation for all the parties involved, the coaches, the players and the administrators involved, it doesn’t make it easy on anybody. But know that Oregon, their players, are going to be ready to go.”
Oregon State comes to Mac Court Saturday, a place where it has not won since 1993.

And on the court
In what could be the final game of the season, Oregon sharp-shooter Jamie Craighead will try to add to her school-record 75 three-pointers this season.
The junior guard from Elma, Wash., hit 6 treys against Arizona last Saturday to surpass Missy Croshaw’s previous mark of 70 three-pointers set during the 1993-94 campaign.

Mowin’ ’em all down
Senior center Jenny Mowe set the Oregon record for games played last Thursday against Arizona State. Mowe, a five-year Duck who red-shirted the 1997-98 season because of tendinitis in her right knee, has played in 122 games. The previous record was 120, held by Lauri Landerholm (1982-87).