Seems like forever, when the team doesn't make a bowl. It been 5 months now, rather than the usual 4. The new transparency of the program has helped speed the time on a bit, and I think this team could greatly improve in year one.

Coach spoke with media heading into the start of spring camp tomorrow.

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http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ketball-way-too-early-top-25-rankings-2017-18

ESPN has Oregon #13 preseason Basketball for next year.

Oregon signee Victor Bailey Jr. wins American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk Championship

He only had a 41.5" vertical on his dunk..... only

http://usatodayhss.com/2017/oregon-...-insurance-high-school-slam-dunk-championship

So here is my guess on where guys will be lined up at some point this Spring (PROJECTED Depth Chart Fall)

DL:

SDE - Mondeaux, Carlberg, Cumberlander, Reitmeir, Faoliu (fall)
NG - Manu (when healthy, Fall), Scott, Baker, George, (Aumavae? If not at the OL, this could be contingent on Pagano.)
WDE- Jelks, Young, Kampmoyer,

*Not including Walk On's at the moment . Obviously some guys like George, Carlberg, Baker and Cumberlander will cross train between the SDE (DT) and the NG (add Pagano to the list when, I mean if he quacks!).

LB's:

MIK - Hotchkins, Simms, (Mattingly? with Briscoe exodus, does Mattingly still stay at the H-Back?)
WIL - Dye, Niu, Slade-Matautia
SAM- Swain, Winston, Habibi-Likio
DRP- Hollins, Moi, (Kampmoyer?)

*Obviously we are light at the second level in terms of numbers. With Briscoe's departure I think Mattingly is forced to stay in the LB grouping, but stranger things have happened. The question is, with the influx of talent we have coming in with the DB's, does a bigger bodied safety like Oliver, Breeze, Leiato or a walk on like Ronnie Rust get moved to the SAM backer spot? Are they capable "IF" they do? (Even if it is just situational, say 2nd and long, third and long, 4th and 5 or 6?
We have done this in the past with undersized guys like Sabol, Mallard and Pleasant, before moving Eddie back to the Rover.
The other question, do we bump Kampmoyer to a DROP END (Force OLB) instead of a pass rushing DE. Lots of questions surround this group coming into Spring Ball.

DB's:

CB- Amadi, Graham, Stewart
CB- Robinson, ("IF" he stays at CB) Springs, Lovette,

The question is, does Robinson stay as a Strong-side Corner? Or go back to the FS? Personally I think he stays at Corner. He just does not play the Run well (Fits) and takes bad angles on top of it (even in coverage), not a good combo for a FS. If he stays at CB I think he beats out Springs. Will/Would be an awesome press2and 10 Corner.

FS- Schooler, Williams, McGraw, Pickett
SS- Oliver or Breeze, Gibson, Leiato (I could see one of the three between Oliver, Leiato and Breeze ending up with the LB's as listed above -SAM-)

So the obvious question, where does Lenoir line up? FS? SS? "IF" he is as good as appears does he end up starting at the Free, and do we slide Schooler over if Lenoir does? Has Schooler gotten better at run fits and tackling if that is the case? Interesting times ahead for the Defensive Coaches. As you can tell with the attrition of Franklin, Briscoe and Kirby, combined with the poor recruiting from the previous defensive staff Leavitt and company are going to be digging themselves out of a hole. Lots of scholarships for the defensive side of the ball in this coming recruiting cycle.

Brett

Adam caught up with the Oregon stud to get the latest.

Travels for Talanoa

Hi there. Congratulations from a really disappointed UCLA fan who's stuck here in Memphis watching Kentucky vs. UNC. I booked this non-refundable reservation a while ago because the FOUND:RE is the newest and best reviewed hotel in downtown Phoenix and it's right next to all of the Final 4 festivities - staying out in Glendale would've meant missing most of the weekend.

Check out the reviews on Trip Advisor at https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_R...Reviews-FOUND_RE_Phoenix-Phoenix_Arizona.html.

I'm selling both rooms at face value - posting here but also offering up to the other teams once they're decided. Each room is a deluxe King checking in on March 31st and checking out on April 4th. The daily rate for each room is $479 and with all taxes comes to $2157 per room.

If interested, please PM me or email me at jonathanpbanks@hotmail.com and we can do payment via PayPal for maximum mutual protection. I would give you the fully prepaid reservation number and put your name on the room.

I believe Gonzaga will easily beat North Carolina for the N.C. They played less then their best game and were still able to pull out the win over South Carolina. Gonzaga will handle North Carolina with ease on both offense and defense and I also believe Mark Few is a better game coach and this is Gonzaga's year( they have been building for this year for a very long time) and they are very motivated to prove that a small school can win the National championship ( they will lose several key Seniors after this year and may not have a better chance to win it all than they do this year) I do have great respect for Roy Williams and North Carolina for what they have managed to do with one of their weaker teams in comparison to some of their prior teams that have gone on to win National Championships.

DSA had Justin Toscano at the Final Four covering for us and wrote this great gamer about the loss.

Heartbreaker for Oregon in Final Four

The first game between Gonzaga and South Carolina is finishing up. Great game. Ducks and North Carolina will tip off in about an hour or so. We have two writers on press row and two photographers down on the floor for DSA.

Join us for the biggest Duck game in a long time.

Although I am devastated by the loss, I am proud that the Oregon team fought to the bitter end and never gave up even when Boucher went down earlier in the year. As my Dad always told me, look for the "silver linings" in a disappointment. You can bet your bottom dollar that every player that is eligible to return to the team next year will do so to take care of "unfinished business". Next years team will win it all, of that I am confident.

Cal commit Adrian Martinez.

Martinez is probably not the firmest of commits for Cal. He wants to take some visits and is certainly listening to other schools. We shall have to keep an eye on him.

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Sitting at the home bar, my initial reaction was that as well as Bell played for 4 games, 39 minutes, and 54 seconds, he was still the goat for not blocking out. It's true , it was two really bad plays in a row. He fell asleep and on the first one was anticipating the ball was going to go through the net and walked to the next instead of getting into his man and keeping him off the boards.

After getting over the disappointment though, a couple of thoughts

1) Bell was by far the best player on the team and Ducks would not have got past the 2nd round without his outstanding play

2) Last nights game could have been won if his teammates had not missed so many wide open shots in the 2nd half and had not made so many unforced turnovers

3) Even if Bell gets the rebound, he is under the basket and they pressure his outlet pass. Probably takes 1- 2 seconds to get it out and then there are 2-3 seconds left. The Ducks end up getting a shot somewhere between half court and the 3 point line. They would have had a shot but its probably around 25-30% chance they pull it off

Anyway, Bell will never forget this, but hopefully he will remember the run as him being the guy that carried this team

Rob Cassidy caught up with former Auburn commit Robert Hicks to talk about it.

Oregon and South Carolina top two for Hicks

Last week in the War Room, we mentioned to keep an eye on Colby Bowman. The 2019 WR had an outstanding 7-on tournament which has parlayed into interest from the Duck staff. Today we catch up with Bowman for this in-depth interview:

2019 WR has Ducks attention

This future Duck is more known as a 110 hurdler, but he just ran a meet record in the 300h which is second best among California high schoolers.

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The 3 star WR from Florida, with an Oregon offer, just ran a 10.15 (with a two mile an hour wind aid)

He is being recruited as a two sport athlete. He is currently the fastest high schooler in the country. 10.15(aw) and he is still in high school!

i know no one is more heartbroken than our players . Although the ball didn't bounce our way tonight, they never ever stopped playing hard. I thought when Jordan sprained his ankle, it really hurt us. Yet when I looked at the game stats Jordan had 13 points,16 rebounds, and four blocks. I tip my hat to this years MBB team, and Coach Altman, and his staff. One of the best seasons in Duck history! Thanks for the memories!

North Carolina RB Jamal Currie-Elliott was offered by the Ducks last week and right after that he released his top three...with Oregon in it. Today we teamed up with Woody Wommack who takes a look at the three finalists and their chances with the Rivals250 player.

Making the case: Vols, Ducks or Hokies for Jamal Currie-Elliott?

Brother of Troy Dye talks about his Duck offer.

Travis Dye: Norco RB talks Duck offer

Man I hope she signs an LOI with Oregon. What an awesome start to the outdoor season. She has climbed way up the high school track totem pole in the past few months. Now she is on the verge of elite status.

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David vs. Goliath in about an hour. Hey....Connecticut has to lose some day right (110 in a row)?

GO LADY DUCKS!

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bell-748231-metoyer-school.html

So many stories like this, you never know how much difference one person can make.