Fast times at the University of Oregon.
That could be the motto for the leaner, meaner — and yes, faster — Oregon men’s basketball team this year.
“It’s hard to believe that this team is faster after losing Freddie (Jones) and Anthony (Lever),” junior guard James Davis said. “But we rebuilt with speed.”
No pun intended. The Ducks did indeed rebuild quickly and for speed after losing some key players, adding four guards to the roster, as compared to two forwards and one center.
And after one week of practice, those newcomers are being slowly broken in by head coach Ernie Kent and a veteran-player crew led by Davis, Luke Ridnour, Luke Jackson and others. They are learning new plays, conditioning and generally getting used to each other before the exhibition-season opener Nov. 6 and the regular-season opener Nov. 24.

Each player on the team is dealing with different issues until they meet on the court for the tipoff of that first game of the season. It is a team of individuals trying to become a team. With that in mind, the Emerald talked to three different Oregon players at three different stages in their career. Here are their first-week testimonials.

Jordan Kent
“It’s really tiring,” Jordan Kent said of the first week of practice. “I’m trying to learn two or three new plays every day.”
Coach’s son. High-school star. Dual-sport wonder. All these are labels that apply to Jordan, the newest Kent family member to play for the Ducks. And after years of dinner-table discussions about Oregon basketball and sitting in the stands, Kent is finally wearing the green-and-yellow of the Ducks.
“I’m just counting the days until that first game,” Kent said.
Kent said he isn’t exactly sure where he fits into Oregon’s extensive lineup of guards, but is enjoying his first few practices all the same.
“We’ve got great chemistry,” Kent said.

Ian Crosswhite
“I’m going hard every practice, trying to show coach what I’m all about,” Ian Crosswhite said in his Australian accent. “I want to make it an easy decision for him on whether or not to play me.”
Crosswhite is from Down Under — Australia — and hopes to see some time down under the basket as the season progresses. But in the meantime, the redshirt freshman, who spent most of last season in his warm-ups, just wants to soak up the knowledge of the guys playing in front of him.
“Robert (Johnson) makes you be alert all the time, he doesn’t ever stop working,” Crosswhite said of veteran forward Johnson. “Brian (Helquist) is the same way.”
Crosswhite fits into the new mold of quick Oregon big men. Helquist has lost weight from the 275-pound frame he sported last year, and Johnson has always been an athletic forward. Crosswhite is one of the tallest players on the team at 6-foot-11, while Matt Short is the tallest at 7 feet.
Still, the big men are in awe of the speed that surrounds them.
“We’re a fast running team,” Crosswhite said with an unbelieving look on his face. “I’m positive we get off faster than last year.”

James Davis
“Everybody’s got something to prove on this team,” Davis said. “I’ve got something to prove, the young guys are all out there to prove themselves. We never stop working.”
If it’s even possible, Davis said the Ducks’ disappointing season from two years ago — his freshman year — still haunts and motivates them for this season.
“It gives you a hunger to win,” Davis said. “We got an appetite. It’s a lot better to be winning than losing, and now we know what it takes to win.”
Davis said his first week has been all about leadership.
“When I see a young guy struggling, I think that’s how I was two years ago,” Davis said. “I just try to take them under my wing, just make sure they pay attention to the little things. It’s an adjustment coming in here.”
Davis, at 21, is one of the oldest members of the team this year. Only Johnson, Ridnour and Helquist are older. But the junior is still working as hard as ever, just like the rest of the Ducks.
“We’re working hard, man,” Davis said. “It’s competition, but it’s good competition.”