Sporting News article on the Ducks
Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:16 pm
http://www.sportingnews.com/college-bas ... -it-sounds
The Ducks a force in the Pac-10? It's not as crazy as it sounds.
Nations have fallen, risen and fallen again in less time than it took Oregon to find its new basketball coach. In late February, the school informed Ernie Kent he would not be brought back but didn't make a hire until late April. Oregon ultimately got it right, though, and there are several reasons the combination of Dana Altman's leadership and Phil Knight's philanthropy could make the Ducks consistently relevant in the Pac-10, which is ripe for the taking.
1. Altman coaches with panache. He's not going to win a public oratory contest against, say Oregon State coach Craig Robinson's brother-in-law, but Altman's teams play an exciting, effective style when they have the proper personnel.
Beginning in 1999, Creighton won six Missouri Valley Tournament titles under Altman, often employing a brand of pressure defense that, transported to Oregon, should liven up a league threatening to become too halfcourt-oriented.
2. The commitment is there. It's reflected in the new $200 million Matthew Knight Arena and in the enthusiasm of the administration.
"There is a huge Oregon fan base," Altman says. "We've had almost 70 straight sellouts in football. In basketball, we have to build some of that, but there's no doubt the alumni and the fan base is large here."
3. The home-grown talent is better than you think. Since 1999, Oregon has produced McDonald's All Americans Mike Dunleavy, Aaron Miles, Kevin Love, Kyle Singler and Terrence Jones – but none stayed in-state.
"There are some good young players in the state right now," Altman says. "We've got to figure out a way to keep them at home."
The Ducks a force in the Pac-10? It's not as crazy as it sounds.
Nations have fallen, risen and fallen again in less time than it took Oregon to find its new basketball coach. In late February, the school informed Ernie Kent he would not be brought back but didn't make a hire until late April. Oregon ultimately got it right, though, and there are several reasons the combination of Dana Altman's leadership and Phil Knight's philanthropy could make the Ducks consistently relevant in the Pac-10, which is ripe for the taking.
1. Altman coaches with panache. He's not going to win a public oratory contest against, say Oregon State coach Craig Robinson's brother-in-law, but Altman's teams play an exciting, effective style when they have the proper personnel.
Beginning in 1999, Creighton won six Missouri Valley Tournament titles under Altman, often employing a brand of pressure defense that, transported to Oregon, should liven up a league threatening to become too halfcourt-oriented.
2. The commitment is there. It's reflected in the new $200 million Matthew Knight Arena and in the enthusiasm of the administration.
"There is a huge Oregon fan base," Altman says. "We've had almost 70 straight sellouts in football. In basketball, we have to build some of that, but there's no doubt the alumni and the fan base is large here."
3. The home-grown talent is better than you think. Since 1999, Oregon has produced McDonald's All Americans Mike Dunleavy, Aaron Miles, Kevin Love, Kyle Singler and Terrence Jones – but none stayed in-state.
"There are some good young players in the state right now," Altman says. "We've got to figure out a way to keep them at home."