Oregon Ducks Open Thread
Well, it’s NCAA Tourney Time. MARCH MADNESS!
And our own Oregon Ducks are in the thick of it this year.
Earlier this year I bagged on the Ducks and predicted they’d do even worse than the lowly Beavers, despite their meteoric start (with a lot of wins snatched from a lot of glorified high school squads). But the Ducks pressed on, and I ended up eating crow.
Now we find the Ducks a three-seed in their bracket after making an improbable run to win the Pac-10 tourney, and the question at this point is: how far can the Ducks go in this tourney?
In most of my brackets (I’ve entered a few different contests with friends and what-not) I have the Ducks bowing out in the Sweet 16. I actually have them going to the Elite Eight in a couple. But I can’t see them going any farther than that.
I actually secretly fear that they’ll be bounced in the round of 32. I don’t want that to happen, but I certainly wouldn’t be surprised…
So, how far do you think they’ll get? Who do you think will beat them? Discuss!
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I have Oregon losing to UNLV in the Sweet 16…Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
GO MIAMI (OHIO)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The ducks will lose to Wisconsin! Go Badgers!
They’re hitting another gear right now, and it will be damn near impossible for them to slow down until the sweet 16 or elite 8. Why? Look at all those quality wins throughout the year, before they had a healthy Malik, and before they played with any sort of urgency. That was also their downfall during the mid-season ‘lull’, but now they’re playing with unusual fire and poise at this point.
Watching the Pac 10 Tournament, I couldn’t believe my eyes… every game more dominant than the next. Their increasing defensive intensity is a thing of beauty, and it’s allowing them to get out into the open court. And Oregon has plenty of guard options, so they’re not in trouble if someone has an ‘off’ night.
Also, Catron has come along to shore up shortcomings in the middle. The guy reminds me of a baby Z-Bo, with a uncanny nose for the ball and similar rebounding style/inside game.
Having the first couple of games in Spokane will certainly help provide a home court atmosphere. But I have the Ducks bowing out against Florida in St. Louis…
I also have OR losing to FL down the road but in the mean time it should be a fun ride.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk … KUUUUUUUU