Some much deserved props for Altman
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 4:33 pm
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!!
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!!