SEATTLE — Right from the start, Oregon looked like a team with no seniors, and Washington proved that experience still counts for something in college basketball.
And I had to endure it all while I sat next to probably the most unprofessional student journalist I have ever seen.
This guy from the University of Washington’s The Daily sat down next to me in the press row with a Huskies hat on and proceeded to clap and pump his fist as the Huskies took the court.
I’m not kidding.
From the beginning the Ducks looked like deer in the headlights as the Huskies fired out to a 19-2 start and showed Oregon why they are ranked No. 14 in the nation.
From the beginning, this guy had no clue. He continued to clap and pump his fist throughout the Huskies’ initial run and ended it with a loud “Bam!” when Nate Robinson drilled the three.
I’ll be the first to say it’s hard to keep the student fan inside of you when the school you attend is riding high and kicking ass.
I’ll also be the first to tell you that when a person takes a position as a journalist, any sort of alliance you have with a team must be thrown out the window and professionalism must take over.
There was no professionalism happening next to me.
Back to the game and away
from my ranting.
Oregon was out-hustled, out-toughed and outright awful in the first seven minutes of the game.
The Ducks almost seemed shell-shocked as the game began and when the smoke cleared, they were down.
When they finally gathered themselves, they looked poised to make a comeback and drew within five points.
Unfortunately for the Ducks, their proverbial engine Aaron Brooks was troubled with foul problems, and without its motor, the Ducks’ offense doesn’t run. They were limited to seven fastbreak points.
Washington’s seasoned backcourt of Robinson and Tre Simmons carried the Huskies with each putting in
solid efforts.
And that damn guy next to me kept belting out a Marv Albert-esque “Yes!” every time a Washington made a good play.
Sorry, back to the game.
This loss should have a huge silver lining for the Ducks.
The young guys got the nerves of their first Pacific-10 Conference road game out of the way — it just had to come against the toughest Pac-10 opponent they will likely face.
It’s one more game for this young team under its belt.
All the true freshmen showed positive signs of improvement. Maarty Leunen looked solid rebounding the basketball, Malik Hairston and Bryce Taylor looked more aggressive on the offensive side of the floor and Chamberlain Oguchi gained valuable experience on the floor.
Did I mention that the guy next to me tried to make a travel call from press row when he thought an Oregon player traveled?
So now the Ducks get the long drive to the Palouse where they face a dangerous Washington State team that just put a beating on
Oregon State.
Brooks said it perfectly after the game — they can’t let this loss beat them twice.
So Oregon must quickly learn from and use the experience from this game and try not to come back from Pullman with a sub-.500 record with the Arizona schools waiting for them next weekend.
Also, guy next to me on press row, don’t think that I am bitter about the fact that the school you go to beat the school I go to, I’m just trying to help you out.
And please, don’t show up at Mac Court with your Washington hat.
Sad day in Seattle for Duck fans, reporting ethics on press row
Daily Emerald
January 13, 2005
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