Fans have been a little naughty. But they’re still good.
That’s the message being conveyed by Oregon head coach Ernie Kent, who is still trying to put out a fire that started when Southern California head coach Henry Bibby ripped Oregon’s students for taunting him during the Ducks’ most recent home game.
Directly after hearing Bibby’s comments, Kent said, “I don’t know why that would be said,” and avidly defended his Pit Crew’s actions. But upon further reflection, Kent said he wants to make sure the students keep the intensity he loves without disrespecting opposing coaches or players.
“We can still be the most dominating home court not only in the Pac-10, but also in the country, yet do it in a very respectful and courteous way to our visitors,” Kent said Wednesday. “It’s important for the students to know that, because we need them to be successful.”
Kent said he felt somewhat assaulted by the media, who used his hasty comments in many stories the next day.
“I said this is an awesome crowd, this is a dominating crowd, and that’s all that made the papers,” Kent said. “And even at that time, I said ‘As long as they handle themselves the right way, very respectfully.’ But the media doesn’t print that. I think that’s wrong for the media to do that.”
Kent said he has “put a call in” to Bibby after reviewing the tape of the game. Kent also wrote an e-mail to the Pit Crew that stresses his points.
“The next three home games are crucial in order for the Ducks to win the Pac-10 championship and to advance to the NCAA Tournament,” Kent said in the e-mail. “We’re counting on the Pit Crew to be loud and dominant, but at the same time let’s be respectful of our visitors. As we continue our great reputation at Mac Court, let’s be sure to use ‘appropriate’ chants and remember to show respect to our visitors.”
Oregon has three home games left, against Oregon State on Saturday and the Washington schools the following weekend.
Chatting for ‘nour
Those who don’t run into Oregon point guard Luke Ridnour on campus today can go online to ask him all those burning questions.
Ridnour will be fielding electronic questions from fans on ESPN.com, starting at 2:15 p.m. Fans can also submit questions before 2:15 if they want, and they could be answered during the chat time.
Accoladin’
The first honor has rolled in for the Ducks, and it could be simply the start of the awards season.
Ridnour and senior guard Freddie Jones were named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches 2002 all-district team, while forward Luke Jackson was named to the all-district second team. Jones and Ridnour joined Gonzaga’s Dan Dickau, Stanford’s Casey Jacobsen and fellow Cardinal Curtis Borchart on the District 14 first team. The second team includes Zach Gourde from Gonzaga, Phillip Ricci from Oregon State and Utah State standouts Tony Brown and Desmond Peniger.
“This whole team has been in harmony, which has allowed those guys to do the job that they’re capable of doing,” Kent said, referring to Jones, Ridnour and Jackson. The award is “a compliment to the whole team.”
It doesn’t get worse
With the top of the Pac-10 more crowded than a New York subway train, the Ducks are lucky to play their next three games at home against the bottom of the conference, even if the bottom is as packed as the top.
Oregon State, Washington and Washington State hold a combined 6-33 conference record. On the road, the terrific trio is 2-17. Both road wins belong to the Beavers, who beat, coincidentally, Washington and Washington State in the Evergreen state.
Offending
Just how good is Oregon’s offense this season?
Really good.
Not only do the Ducks lead the conference in scoring per game (86.3 points per contest), but they’re also tops — by a lot — in margin of victory (15 points per game, compared with Stanford’s 11.7) and field goal percentage (.489 compared with UCLA’s .480).
The Ducks also lead the Pac-10 in three-point percentage, field-goal percentage and three-pointers per game.
E-mail sports reporter Peter Hockaday
at [email protected].