With a significant portion of the season to look forward to, the Oregon women’s basketball team will nevertheless look back on this upcoming weekend fondly.
The Ducks (16-10, 7-7 Pacific-10 Conference) will be playing their final regular-season basketball games in McArthur Court against USC and UCLA, one week before the Oregon men bid their final farewell.
“It just feels like home,” guard Micaela Cocks said. “That’s just the feeling you get when you walk into Mac Court.”
Oregon may not be out of the building for good, even after this weekend’s games. The Ducks have a chance at a Women’s National Invitational Tournament berth with a strong finish, which plays games at teams’ home venues. (The Women’s NCAA Tournament is not yet out of the question either.) Still, emotions will run high as competitive basketball is played for the last few times in the 83-year-old arena.
“I’ve grown to love it. I’m a fan of Mac Court,” first-year head coach Paul Westhead said. “I know everyone will be excited with the new arena and it will trigger a whole new era of Duck basketball, but I’m glad I was here for the closing of this charming and elegant place to play basketball.”
“It’s bittersweet,” said senior forward Lindsey Saffold, one of three Ducks who will play their final games in Mac Court. “I enjoyed my time here, but it’s time for me to move on. I’m kind of excited (for it), though.”
Saffold is in her second year with the Ducks after transferring from Delta Community College in Stockton, Calif. A 5-foot-10-inch forward, she started in 14 of Oregon’s 30 games in 2008-09, averaging 3.6 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game while leading the team in blocks. Saffold was voted Best Defensive Player on the season by her teammates for her efforts in the post.
In Westhead’s system, Saffold has struggled to make an impact, appearing in just 16 games this season. She averages 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in just less than seven minutes a game.
“It has been tough. I know, at the beginning of the season, like, it was really hard,” Saffold said. “There were times when I’d be upset after practice, after games. Now I’m just like, I’m here to support my team and that’s all I can do right now. Just be supportive of them.”
Smith’s return

Former Oregon head coach Bev Smith, one of the best women’s basketball players in school history, has been named honorary captain for the Ducks’ contest against UCLA on Saturday.
A two-time All-American, Smith is the program’s all-time leader in rebounds, steals and double-doubles and ranks second in points. Oregon was 93-19 in her years as a player, from 1979-82, making the postseason three times.
The Salmon Arm, British Columbia native coached the Ducks for eight seasons, accumulating a win-loss record of 123-121. Oregon reached the NCAA tournament in 2005 and the Women’s NIT in 2002 (where the Ducks were crowned champions) and 2007 under Smith.
Her contract was not renewed after last season, when the Ducks went 9-21, the fewest wins in a season in school history,
Candyce Flynn, Kristi Fallin and Laura Stanulis are the only current Ducks who did not play under Smith. Forward Ellie Manou and guard Darriel Gaynor left the team following her dismissal.
“We’re really good friends. We’ll always be good friends,” Cocks said. “She means a lot to me. I’m happy she’s going to be there. Just because of business issues, it doesn’t have to ruin our relationship. I’m happy she’s part of my life.”
Johnson named Academic All-American

Forward Amanda Johnson was named to the 2009-10 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Second Team this week, the lone Pac-10 representative among the three teams. Johnson was selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
The Santa Rosa, Calif., native becomes the third Duck, after Stefanie Kasperski (1989, 1990) and Smith (1980, 1982) to receive the honor. Johnson, who averages 12.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this season, has a 4.0 grade point average and expects to complete her psychology and sociology degrees this spring.
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