It may not solve all of Oregon’s recent problems, but Luke Jackson has figured it’s time for a little change.
“I gotta get this (hair) cut,” Jackson said Tuesday. “It’s getting out of control.”
So, too, is Oregon’s Pacific-10 Conference season, which is off to a 1-3 start after consecutive losses to California and Stanford last weekend.
But there aren’t any drastic changes in store — for either the team or Jackson. The Oregon junior forward has no plans to cut off his patent mop top; just a quick, $5 trim to keep the bangs out of his face.
Meanwhile, the No. 22 Ducks (10-4 overall) look to grow from a rough Pac-10 beginning as they break today from conference play with a bout at Portland State. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum in Portland. The game will be televised on the Oregon Sports Network (KEZI).
“We need this game right now,” Oregon head coach Ernie Kent said. “It gives us a chance to
get back in our rhythm before another Pac-10 (game).”

While Portland State (3-12 overall), on paper, does not pose a serious threat, the Ducks aren’t taking tonight’s game lightly. In fact, in their two practices this week, the Ducks stressed fundamentals, including Boxing Out 101 to counter Oregon’s 45-26 rebounding deficit in a loss to Stanford on Saturday.
“Everyone needs to get back to some fundamentals,” Jackson said. “That’s what’s made this a good team.”
Jackson, in particular, is looking to get back on track after a 5-for-16 shooting performance in the Ducks’ two losses in the Bay Area, which dropped Oregon 10 spots in The Associated Press poll this week.
“He needs to get back into his rhythm,” Kent said. “Sometimes you need to blow some things out of your system to get there, you even need to fail a little bit to get there. And in our case, we have failed as a basketball team in our last couple of outings.
“We need to bounce back from some major adversity and get rolling again.”
The players had a meeting this week to get “some stuff out,” redshirt freshman center Matt Short said. “And I think we’re going to come out with a lot more intensity.”

Kent said individuals have been “trying to do too much” instead
of getting in the flow of the game and opening up Oregon’s transition offense.
“They’re a little antsy with each other, and they need to be because we know we let some things get away from us in the Bay Area,” Kent said.
Kent said he has not made a decision on tonight’s starting lineup. Short and guard Andre Joseph made their first career starts against Stanford, supplanting
Brian Helquist and James Davis.
“It doesn’t matter who starts,” Kent said. “It matters how we’re going to play and if we can get back in our rhythm.”
The Ducks, traditionally, have a good rhythm against Portland State. In their last meeting on Nov. 25, 2000, Oregon defeated the Vikings, 84-66, at McArthur Court. Guard Jeb Ivey leads the Vikings with 14.5 points per game this season.
Even though Oregon State comes to Mac Court on Saturday, the Vikings will have the Ducks’ attention tonight.
“Portland State becomes a very dangerous team if we start looking ahead to Oregon State,” Kent said. “They’re going to get our best effort.”