It’s coming together — gradually.
The team chemistry on the Oregon men’s basketball team has been established in the first two exhibition games.
“I am (happy) right now,” head coach Ernie Kent said. “But they have a long way to go until they can get comfortable. For where we are right now and what we’ve accomplished, I’m pleased.”
The Ducks have passed the first test by winning both exhibition games, including the buzzer shot on Monday night to beat the EA Sports All-Stars.
Oregon has stayed with the starting lineup of guards Aaron Brooks and Andre Joseph, forwards Ian Crosswhite and Luke Jackson, and center Mitch Platt.
“It’s coming together really well,” Crosswhite said. “Guys are getting into their roles and understanding where their roles are going to be this year. There still probably room where there might be some changes. Within the team everyone is getting along great and working together really well.”
Brooks and Platt, both freshmen, are the new additions to the starting lineup. Platt, a native of Henderson, Nev., combined for 11 points and 16 rebounds in the exhibitions.
Brooks, a Seattle native, has made his presence strongly known in Oregon’s run-and-gun offense. Brooks had 11 points and three steals in Oregon’s exhibition on Monday night. In the Ducks’ first exhibition on Nov. 9, Brooks had 14 points and four assists.
“We’re vibing pretty well,” Brooks said. “We got some kinks still, but we’re going to work them out and the guys are cool, everybody’s cool. We’re going to get these kinks worked out and get ready for the first game.”
Oregon’s first game is Friday night against Fresno State. The Ducks will likely come with the same lineup and they will be tested again. Now the games count.

Jersey mishap
When Brooks appeared in his first exhibition game, he took the court wearing No. 30. In Monday night’s exhibition, Brooks wore No. 00.
The Ducks realized after the first game that No. 30 is a retired number at Oregon, formerly worn by Ron Lee, who played for Oregon from 1972-75. Kent said it all happened by mistake.
“His uniform was ordered this summer and ordered by someone who doesn’t have a total feel for what numbers are retired and not retired,” Kent said. “We just got him another jersey and Aaron was comfortable with it.”
Kent said he has spoken with Lee about the mishap, and Lee had no problems with Brooks wearing the jersey in the first game.

Pre-season rankings
In the annual Pacific-10 Conference men’s basketball media poll that was released on Nov. 6 the Ducks were picked to finish fourth.
Arizona was picked as the favorite, receiving 26 first-place votes. Stanford earned the runner up bid — earning seven first-place votes — and California was tabbed in third, garnering one first-place vote.
Do the Ducks feel they deserve to be chosen fourth after finishing as the 2003 Pac-10 Tournament Champions?
“We don’t really worry about it,” Joseph said. “Last year we were picked second and ended up fifth. Pre-season polls really don’t mean nothing. It depends on how you start playing when you get to the Pac-10.”
For the past 10 years, the poll has picked the correct team seven times, but only Arizona last year was the correct pick out of the last three.

Injury update
It is still unknown exactly when guard Jordan Kent and center Matt Short will return to the court from injury, but Ernie Kent said the two are expected to be out of their boots by the end of the week.
The Ducks are ready to have the opportunity of a bigger lineup and more depth on the bench.
“They are two of our quickest guys in the post and on the wing,” Crosswhite said. “It’s hard right now when they’re not in there. When they come in it’s going to be a big boost for this team.”