For the first time since 2008, the Oregon Ducks are in the NCAA Tournament. The Ducks won their first Pac-12 conference tournament title since 2007 and will now play as a No. 12 seed in March Madness.
The question is, what makes the Ducks such a tantalizing team?
1. The last time that Oregon won the Pac-12 conference tournament was 2007. Led by Aaron Brooks, that team went on to the Elite Eight. Could we see another magical run by Dana Altman and company?
2. Head coach Dana Altman has now taken three separate teams to the NCAA Tournament. Those teams include Oregon, Kansas State and Creighton. He’s now also won Coach of the Year in four separate conferences. Unfortunately, Altman has never made it past the second round of March Madness.
3. Six different Oregon Ducks average at least 8.5 points per game. Three score in double-figures and five average at least 3.6 rebounds. That includes Iranian product Arsalan Kazemi, who comes in at 9.3 points and 9.5 boards.
4. Oregon began the season at 18-2. They’ve stumbled into the Big Dance, however, having gone 8-6 during their final 14 games of play.
5. The Oregon Ducks haven’t made it to the Final Four since 1939. They won the National Championship that year under head coach Howard Hobson.
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