While most Oregon students nestled snug in their beds with visions of sugarplums this break, a small band of Ducks — the men’s basketball team — set out to complete an undefeated preseason.
After defeating Massachusetts in the Papé Jam just before finals, Oregon was 5-0 and off to its best start under fourth-year head coach Ernie Kent.
The Ducks would continue their streak one more game into December, beating Illinois-Chicago 110-87 at McArthur Court Dec. 12. The streak would end, though, with a 101-97 overtime loss to Auburn at the Las Vegas Showdown.
Oregon then rattled off three wins against Northern Arizona, South Carolina State and Louisville to cap a 5-1 December. The Ducks’ victory over Oregon State last week moved their overall record to 10-1.
“This team has tremendous character,” Kent said. “We’ve been tested with the altitude, with the third game in seven days, we’ve been tested at Louisville on the road in front of 16,000.
“The one thing we have yet to conquer is understanding what it takes to win at the Pac-10 level. We’ve conquered the preseason.”
Each of Oregon’s wins in December highlighted one of the team’s individual strengths. Against Illinois-Chicago, forward Bryan Bracey and guard Freddie Jones poured in 20 points each to lead the Ducks to the 23-point victory.
Against Northern Arizona, the Ducks proved they could win a close game even after losing one, toppling the Lumberjacks 72-70 in overtime two days after losing to Auburn.

“We’re exhausted and ready to get out of here,” senior center Julius Hicks told KUGN after the Northern Arizona game. “The Auburn loss was heartbreaking. We thought we should have won that game.”
Oregon’s victory over South Carolina State proved the Ducks could dominate a team when rested, as they cruised to an 82-60 win at Mac Court.
In the Ducks’ last December game, against Louisville, five Oregon players scored in double figures to lead the Ducks to an 88-65 road win. Freshman guard Luke Ridnour, Oregon’s highly touted recruit, had one of the best statistical games of his young career, scoring 15 points and dishing out five assists in 35 minutes of game time.
But Oregon’s star for December was undoubtedly Bracey. The Chicago native averaged 21.6 points in the five games over Christmas break, and was named Pac-10 Player of the Week for his efforts against Illinois-Chicago and Auburn.
Bracey’s efforts this season are dazzling statistically. The forward is leading the Pac-10 in scoring at 20.3 points per game, and is one of only two players — Arizona’s Michael Wright is the other — to be ranked among the Pac-10’s top-10 in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage.

“When he plays well, [Bracey] gives us an enormous amount of confidence,” Kent said.
Jones and guard Anthony Norwood are also averaging double-digits, and Ridnour ranks in the Pac-10’s top-10 in assists per game and assist/turnover ratio.
As much as the Ducks have enjoyed their successful preseason, the players are ready to face the competition of the Pac-10.
“We still have a lot to prove,” Bracey said. “We’re excited to get out there and prove to everyone that we’re one of the top teams in this conference.”
If December is any indication, the Ducks could be opening a different kind of present in March — their invitation to the NCAA Tournament.