The difference a year makes
The last two years at this time in Oregon’s schedule, the Ducks were beginning to think about seeding for the NCAA Tournament – not when they would get their first win in the Pacific-10 Conference. Junior forward Joevan Catron was a part of both those teams, and said it’s been hard to watch teams he beat last year move into position for the tournament.
“One of my goals coming into college was getting to the tournament every year, and now it’s kind of up in the air,” Catron said, referencing the automatic bid given to the Pac-10 Tournament winner. “I’m really kind of sad about it because it might not happen.”
Four Ducks out Tuesday, but practice is ‘good’
Oregon head coach Ernie Kent praised the Ducks’ practice Tuesday after giving the team the day off on Monday, saying he liked their energy and hopes they can sustain it through the weekend.
“Sometimes less is better than more,” Kent said. “In this situation I just felt, for them, they needed to step away for a day.”
The players who were there, anyway, played well. Sophomore guard LeKendric Longmire and senior forward Churchill Odia were held out from the after-effects of taking elbows to the upper body and head last weekend and freshman forward Drew Wiley didn’t go because of the effects of a fall against the Cougars. Freshman guard Teondre Williams was at a doctor’s appointment for an eye infection.
All four players’ status is uncertain for Thursday.
Kent was very happy with freshman center Michael Dunigan’s play against the thin lineup.
“I thought he was pretty dominant today,” Kent said.
Not paying attention to Ernie’s trouble
Several players said they haven’t paid attention to the displeasure in the media about Kent’s job this season and said they want him back next season.
“I want him to be here as long as I’m here,” Dunigan said. “I’m not worried about it, though.”
Catron and Porter, who will be seniors next season, said they understand the pressure on Kent but don’t want a change.
“I don’t want to start my senior year with a new coach,” Catron said. “I don’t think it really gets to the players. I really don’t pay attention to it, it’s pretty much a rumor to me.”
Porter said that ultimately, it’s up to the players to take the burden of a winless Pac-10 season off their embattled coach.
“We gotta try to take that pressure off of him by winning a couple games,” Porter said.
Last time in the Bay Area…
Oregon plays three straight home games, with the first two coming against Cal (Thursday at 6 p.m.) and Stanford (Saturday at 5 p.m.). Although Oregon lost to Stanford by 22, it came back to narrowly lose by seven points to Cal. Oregon hopes to close the gap on the Bears Thursday.
Dunigan said he believes the team’s confidence after scoring 59 second-half points against Washington has the Ducks in the right mindset.
“We got the crowd behind us and we pretty much got our confidence now,” he said.
Porter said he thinks having a home crowd behind them can help the team focus on executing the game plan.
“We just gotta focus in,” Porter said. “Really the same old stuff over and over again.”
And if there’s any question how much Oregon has lost this year – 13 games in a row – just ask Dunigan, whose losing stretch this season is unprecedented in his career.
“I’ve never lost this many games in all my life,” Dunigan said. “It’s crazy.”
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Oregon desperate for victories with Stanford, Cal looming
Daily Emerald
February 17, 2009
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