Amid the increased speed of play and extensive turnovers, one thing is for sure: It is the beginning, a 40-minute snap shot of what the season may or may not hold for the Oregon men’s basketball team, which had its first team scrimmage Monday afternoon at McArthur Court.
Oregon head coach Ernie Kent mixed up the teams and tried various combinations during the four 10-minute periods, and he liked what he saw.
“We did some good things and we did some bad things,” Kent said. “I like the speed of this team. I like the versatility of this team. I like the way we passed the ball and how well we played together.”
Oregon played with the speed and offensive flow of a team that didn’t lose its leading scorer from a year ago — Luke Ridnour — to the NBA. Unofficially, senior guard James Davis led all scorers with 18 points. Senior Luke Jackson was just behind with 17 points and nine rebounds.
Jackson knocked in three baskets from beyond the three-point line.
“I feel really comfortable shooting the ball beyond the arc,” the 2004 All-American candidate said. “That’s something I worked really hard on all this summer. I feel great about my shot and I’m going to take it when I’m open.”
Jackson’s newfound leadership was evident during the scrimmage. He called plays, brought the ball up the floor and kept his team in check during the scrimmage.
“I’m definitely enjoying the role that I’m in right now,” Jackson said. “I’m just trying to lead as much as I can. And trying to be an encouragement to everybody and the younger guys in teaching them what they need to know.”
There is still much to learn before the team takes the court. The coaches and players were displeased with the number of turnovers on Monday. Unofficially, the ball was turned over more than 30 times.
“We can walk the ball up and down the floor and we would probably have 90 percent less turnovers,” Kent said. “But we play so fast, we’re going to have turnovers. It’s just a matter of finding that comfort zone that we can live with those turnovers.”
Oregon’s big men took care of their business. Senior Jay Anderson and sophomore Ian Crosswhite combined for 17 points, while redshirt freshman Adam Zahn had 12 points and seven rebounds.
Kent said the team will be planning another scrimmage within the next two weeks. He said it would be announced and that the public will be able to attend.

Rookie time
Freshman Aaron Brooks had plenty of flashes of brilliance in Monday’s scrimmage. Between his extensive speed in beating the defense to rising up and swishing a three-pointer, Brooks played with the Ducks as if he had done it more than 100 times before.
The 6-foot freshman scored 10 points and had two steals during the scrimmage. He also had two three-pointers in four attempts. Brooks did turn the ball over three times, though.
Freshmen Mitch Platt and Ray Schafer also made themselves known. Platt had 12 points and seven rebounds while Schafer had four points and three rebounds, respectively.