It’s not going to get any easier for the Oregon women’s basketball team.
Not to say that Saturday’s 6 p.m. bout against No. 16 Iowa is by any means an assured ‘W,’ but it’s just about as good as it gets for a 13th seed.
The Ducks (17-11 overall, 10-8 Pacific-10 Conference), winners of four straight, took the two-hour flight to Salt Lake City on Thursday to embark on the program’s eighth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The game will be broadcast on KEZI.
“This is the best seed we’ve had as far as not having to travel very far,” head coach Jody Runge said. “It’s as easy as it can be without having a home seed.”
A year ago, home court advantage favored a fifth-seeded Oregon team that was fresh off its first outright Pac-10 title. But a 70-69 overtime loss to UAB dashed the Ducks’ hopes of dancing to the Sweet 16.
Wiping the year-long frustrations aside, Runge said this team has the potential to go farther than any other Oregon team.
“This is the strongest team we’ve taken to the tournament,” Runge said. “It’s like a second life for this team. It’s been a hard year, but now we’re wiping the slate clean. This is a very refreshing opportunity.”
In eight years, Runge is 3-7 during March Madness. The Ducks have never been past the second round.
Oregon’s five seniors, the most successful class in club history, could be throwing their last hurrah against the Hawkeyes (20-9), the Big Ten Conference Tournament champs. If the Ducks advance to Monday, they’ll face fifth-seed Utah (26-3), which beat the Ducks by 15 in Salt Lake City during the preseason.
“We’ve been there and didn’t play well,” senior center Jenny Mowe said of the Dec. 16 game at the Huntsman Center. “But I’m glad we have a chance to do it again, and hopefully we’ll do well this time.”
The Ducks and Hawkeyes have never met, but head coach Lisa Bluder, who was named the Big 10 Coach of the Year in her first year at Iowa, is 1-0 against Runge, who is also an Iowa native. Bluder’s 1994 Drake team defeated the Ducks 76-67 in Eugene.
The Hawkeyes are led by first-team Big Ten guard Lindsey Meder, who is averaging nearly 17 points per game.
Iowa has won six straight games and 14 of its last 16.
“Their guard play is very strong, they’re physical, they work hard and are well coached,” Runge said. “They’re not that big inside but are playing with great confidence after winning the Big Ten Tournament. They are a very good basketball team.”
The Ducks, though, may also be peaking at the right time. After a five-game mid-season slump, injuries, and the infamous players meeting questioning Runge’s coaching techniques, Oregon hasn’t been healthier.
“The team has been able to put things aside and still play, which says a lot about our character,” freshman Cathrine Kraayeveld said. “We’re playing really well right now. We’re starting to show that we are still a good team and that we deserve to be there.”
A coach who is searching for answers and a newfound respect from her team, Runge is still remaining optimistic about her team’s chances this weekend.
“We’re healthy, this is the best we’ve played and the best we’ve practiced all year,” said Runge, who became the third coach in Pac-10 history to reach the 100-win plateau in conference play. “Hopefully we’ll put it together in a more successful manner this time around.”