Some much deserved props for Altman

[northbeachsf]

Prior to the start of the season, it was difficult to imagine a situation where this team would outperform last year’s team, considering the talent that was lost during the offseason.
Consider these key losses:

1)Four ESPN Top 150 players were lost, including a McDonald’s All American Center (Dunigan, Humphrey, Wiley, and Wilson).
2)The leading scorer on the team graduates (Porter).
3)They lose a starter to academic problems (Longmire).
4)And a decent back up big, which we desperately needed, transfers (Crittle).

After EK is fired, the coaching search turns into a circus of rumored offers and rejections by big name coaches. Oregon finally settles for Altman. Because of the timing, Altman, is only able to bring in a very raw unrated JC player (Narad), a 3 star true-freshman PG (Loyd), a senior transfer who has attended three collages (Strowbridge), and a player from oversees that is so under the radar that he does not even have a recruiting profile (Seiferth). To cap it off, Altman has to have an open gym tryout to get some walkons so he can have enough bodies to actually hold a practice.

People were saying a 7-win season would be a successful year considering what has happened. Well, here we are at 7-3 and we have not even started conference play yet. In case you didn’t notice, that 7-3 mark actually better than the 6-4 mark than last year’s squad was able post after 10 games “with all that talent”.

Last year’s losses were to Montana, Portland, St. Mary’s, and Missouri. This year’s team has lost three games. There was an early slip up to SJSU, but several key players did not play in that game due to injuries. After that, the losses came against No.1 Duke and No. 12 Missouri. The Ducks were able to hang strong with Missouri and almost beat them, mounting a huge comeback in the second half. This was against the same Missouri team that beat Oregon by 37 points last season. Other than that, Oregon has taken care of business this year.

At think at this point it is safe to say that this team clearly has outperformed last year’s team to date. They don’t have the size, the talent, or the potential of the individual players we lost during the off season, but it is clear they are a better team. If you have not watched a game yet this season, this team has heart; they work hard on every possession; they dive for every loose ball; they work extra hard to secure rebounds against taller players; they play pressure defense; they force turnovers; they work for good shots; they drive to the basket; they get to the FT line; and most importantly, they play smart basketball. Why? COACHING! Right now, Altman is looking like a stellar hire. Oh yeah…the recruiting is starting to kick in too (Brown).

I am not saying that they are going to win the Pac-10 Conference this season. However, I would not be surprised to see them better last season’s conference record with 1/4 of the talent (and that is generous). Go get’em Coach Altman!!

[wvduck34]

One of the best posts I have ever seen on this board. Kudos TK1.
Last year was beyond unwatchable and the I consider our off season
to be the worst in NCAA basketball history, unless their is some university
that incurred the round ball version of the 'death sentence.'

Dana Altman is probably the best thing that could have happened for Ducks
basketball. He gave us a proven winner and a legitimate shot at getting
better immediately. I don't think I have seen the ducks play this tough on
defense!!

I can't wait to see the new recruits like Brown play next year and even think
we can upset a few Pac-10 teams. Go Quackers!!

[uostudent]

One of the best posts I have ever seen on this board. Kudos TK1.
Last year was beyond unwatchable and the I consider our off season
to be the worst in NCAA basketball history, unless their is some university
that incurred the round ball version of the 'death sentence.'

Dana Altman is probably the best thing that could have happened for Ducks
basketball. He gave us a proven winner and a legitimate shot at getting
better immediately. I don't think I have seen the ducks play this tough on
defense!!

I can't wait to see the new recruits like Brown play next year and even think
we can upset a few Pac-10 teams. Go Quackers!!

Agree completely. I predicted that this team would win 10 games. Altman has done a magnificent job so far considering the lack of talent and depth. What I've been most impressed with is his ability as a motivator. He gets these guys ready to play every night and has them believing that they can beat anyone. I'm expecting somewhat of a drop off once we start Pac 10 play. The effort has been there and that's very encouraging. The players are clearly buying into whatever Altman is selling.

I'm excited to see what Altman will be able to accomplish with more talent in 2011 and beyond. The future is bright for Oregon basketball.

[greenyellow]

One of the best posts I have ever seen on this board. Kudos TK1.
Last year was beyond unwatchable and the I consider our off season
to be the worst in NCAA basketball history, unless their is some university
that incurred the round ball version of the 'death sentence.'

Dana Altman is probably the best thing that could have happened for Ducks
basketball. He gave us a proven winner and a legitimate shot at getting
better immediately. I don't think I have seen the ducks play this tough on
defense!!

I can't wait to see the new recruits like Brown play next year and even think
we can upset a few Pac-10 teams. Go Quackers!!

Agree completely. I predicted that this team would win 10 games. Altman has done a magnificent job so far considering the lack of talent and depth. What I've been most impressed with is his ability as a motivator. He gets these guys ready to play every night and has them believing that they can beat anyone. I'm expecting somewhat of a drop off once we start Pac 10 play. The effort has been there and that's very encouraging. The players are clearly buying into whatever Altman is selling.

I'm excited to see what Altman will be able to accomplish with more talent in 2011 and beyond. The future is bright for Oregon basketball.

With one winnable non-conference game left, I think Oregon can easily manage 2 wins in conference play this year. They will sneak up on some unprepared teams and get some wins they probably aren't expected to. I think they could get to 12-14 if they do this.

[duckfan22]

I like this post. Very good points made. To me and as we saw
against Virginia shooting is the biggest key. Altman has them
completely bought into what he wants them to do. But they
couldn't throw the ball in the ocean if they were in a boat
on the ocean.

This team hustles. They dive after loose balls, They really do
play hard at defense. The give it their all rebounding, they run very
well. They share the ball and run a real offense. They always have open
shots within the offense. I always look at assists after a game to see
how that looks. Last couple of years we would always have far
fewer then our opponents. This year we either have more or were right
there. That's because they are playing with in his offense and he wants
them to shoot to.
Garrett Sim has been knocked for his play. Now I'm not his biggest
fan. But he plays completely within Altman's system, He has a ton of
good looks, he plays hard at the defensive end. He just goes and goes.
What i believe hurt him was the last couple of years was his confidence
shooting the ball. Every time he'd put one up and miss out he came. Then
wouldn't come back for much after that. Ernie played favorites, and i
don't thin Sim was one of them.

So all this being said, once Altman has next years recruits here, once some
shooters and bigs are on board then watch out. His style of play will bring
players here. I love his beliefs that you don't yell at players and just
coach them up. He also takes responsibility when they lose and does
not blame the players. He really strikes me as a guy I'd love to play for if
i wasn't to short, slow and old. With all the doubter's and i was to a
certain extent his hire, I now believe they made a great selection and
I'm more then willing to give him the chance because i really like him.
I wasn't even a Ernie hater either. I liked him as a player and as a coach
except for the last 2-3 years and i think Oregon needed a change.

Go Ducks