Everything seemed to be just right for the Ducks Saturday night.
The Pit Crew was in full force for the first time since school returned to session.
Oregon head coach Ernie Kent said it had been the team’s best week of practice.
Heck, even Oregon alumni Joey Harrington and Phil Knight donned Pit Crew shirts.
Oregon State didn’t stand a chance.
This Ducks came out hyped up and ready to play, and they let everyone within shouting distance know it. The 73-64 final score doesn’t begin to show the dominance Oregon had over its orange-and-black rival to the north.
Right away the game took on a physical tone as Mitch Platt dove on Croatian freshman Sasa Cuic, fighting hard for a loose ball.
Ian Crosswhite showed fire and determination throughout the game, with dives to the floor and nine rebounds.
Maarty Leunen, Malik Hairston and Jordan Kent killed the Beavers on the boards with their never-ending energy.
This is just what Oregon needed.
They finally took advantage of their size and strength. Added to that was something that had been missing in the Ducks’ first two Pacific-10 Conference games — toughness.
The pure effort and tenacity that was on Mac Court Saturday night was big for this young Duck team.
For one, Oregon outrebounded Oregon State 44-20.
Oregon fought for every loose or tipped ball, creating a ton of second chances.
And it wasn’t only rebounding.
The Duck big men rejected six shots and altered a lot more.
Leading the way was the tireless effort of Ray Schafer. The 7-foot redshirt freshman blocked two Beaver shots and got his long arms in front of many others.
He rushed to help up any teammate that fell to the floor.
What else do you expect from a guy who goes old-school Vanilla Ice-style with shaved lines in his head and has his own fan club?
Then there is the heart and soul of this team, Aaron Brooks.
Brooks controls the game with his guard play. The Ducks won’t have to worry about a man-to-man press all year as Brooks’ ball-handling skills will carve up any defense.
Oregon State’s point guard Jason Fontenet tried to talk trash, but to quote the Pit Crew, “You can’t guard him.” Brooks said he didn’t respond much, but you know with every nod or smile after another shot dropped, he had said enough.
And Dante Rosario: watch out, because Brooks gave a great lead block for Bryce Taylor on a break-away layin. For some reason, I don’t think Ernie Kent would be too excited about that prospect.
It was a great night for Duck basketball. The Pit Crew was even chanting toward football recruits in the stands to encourage them to attend Oregon.
This game could be a great springboard for the Ducks.
The conference no longer boasts an undefeated team — Washington and Arizona lost Saturday.
Now the Ducks will go and face the Huskies next week in Seattle. It will be their toughest test on the road yet — probably magnified even more as Washington will be looking to bounce back after their choke job at UCLA.
But that’s still a few days away.
For now the Ducks can enjoy their Civil War victory.
Oregon fans can hold their heads a little higher now (and put the beating the football team took against Oregon State behind them).
While Saturday’s game seemed to be in the cards for Oregon, that won’t be the case when they travel to Washington or any other Pac-10 school.
They won’t have the energy of a Mac Court crowd and must find the intestinal fortitude to win on the road against good teams.
And most important, they must play hard, be physical and let teams know that they are a force in this conference.

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