There’s not much to say about the men’s basketball team that hasn’t already been said.
They’ve overcome their growing pains and become the elite team that we’ve all been expecting to see for the past three years.
So why would anybody expect them to lose?
As impressive as Oregon’s been, I’m still expecting to see some sort of losing streak in the upcoming weeks, and it may begin tonight.
What? Against Washington? They’ve been run over by every other Pacific-10 Conference team. Why should the Ducks be vulnerable against them?
With Aaron Brooks’ suspension, the team loses its MVP and maybe the best player in the conference right now; add in extra incentive for the Huskies to stop their losing skid by taking out their heated rival, and they will likely play with greater tenacity, considering what Brooks did to Ryan Appleby’s face the last time the two teams met.
Washington and its fans will be hounding the Ducks all night, and Brooks won’t be there to make the clutch shots, or keep things cool while everyone else is under pressure.
Somebody will need to step up in his place.
That’s why it’ll be Malik Hairston’s turn to shine. Although Hairston has shown his usual flashes of brilliance during the season, his heel injury has hampered his development with the rest of the team. Oregon coach Ernie Kent has said that he needs Hairston to get back into full shape so he can keep up with the rest of the team in its aggressive, high-tempo gameplan.
Even though he’s missed considerable game time, Hairston doesn’t believe his role on the team has changed from what it once was.
“My role has always been to help this basketball team in any way I possibly can,” Hairston said.
Against Cal, Hairston helped the team by shooting 7-of-8 from the field and showcased his athleticism on a highlight-reel dunk while being fouled in the process.
Hairston, however, is reticent to say he’ll have plays like that every game and still considers himself to be a team guy even if his perceived skill allows him to take over a game. Since he was a freshman, Hairston’s been expected to be an NBA prodigy, and while his dunk against Cal exemplifies his ability, he remains hesitant to be playing at Oregon like it’s his gateway into the NBA. Instead, he says he’s happy playing on a team that’s winning and is excited seeing all of his teammates playing at a higher level.
But if everybody else is improved from previous years, does it make it any easier on him to play his game?
“Does it make it easier? Without a doubt,” Hairston said. “I don’t really do the whole pressure thing. I just go out there and play basketball.”
Should the Ducks falter against the Huskies, it may begin a series of tough road losses that go through Washington State, UCLA and USC, all games that the Ducks have as much chance of losing as they do winning. It’ll depend on whether or not the whole team continues to play like it deserves that No. 7 ranking. That, or Hairston plays like everyone’s expecting him to.
Except Hairston’s answer to how the team will hope to win against the Huskies isn’t very encouraging.
“I think we’ll need a lot of contribution from the rest of the guys,” Hairston said.
Right, Malik. Here’s hoping that contribution is from you.
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