Best three game stretch of the season on offense, defense and all facets of the game.

The only frustrating part of tonight was the game was winnable...yet for whatever reasons Oregon stopped doing what had given them so much success the past 2-3/4 games.

You could see players trying to win the game by themselves.

Contrast with Wisconsin players who kept their poise; passed the ball around until they had the open shot, etc.

IF Oregon could play with the discipline of Wisconsin, I believe they would be a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. It is coaching.

I loved the way Bittle played at both ends...he MUST play the center position next season...that is where he needs to be. Give him an entire season at that position and he will be force far beyond expectations.

I am a UO alum, long-time season-tic holder at Autzen, and former season-tic holder at Mac Court. we watched baseball last night (what a game!) and switched over to Duck basketball between innings. that's how much I care about this year's team.

attendance has been a problem at MKA for a while now. Payton Pritchard called out Oregon students and fans a few years back ("you're either with us or you're not"). before that there was some kind of PR initiative where the players got out and introduced themselves to the student community.

this is not just a problem at Oregon. with all the transfers and one-and-dones, the players are even more disconnected from the university and the community. like well-paid mercenaries hired to one-year contracts. day labor. by the time I learn the new players's numbers, their playing characteristics, and their strengths and weaknesses, they're gone. football getting more & more like that, too.

Dana has too much class to throw his players under the bus, but he said 'play hard' about 20 times in that post-game presser. this team gave away games to equal or lesser teams this season with a lack of hustle and intensity on D. did not effectively defend the perimeter and three-ball v teams like ASU and Stanford. Cougs shot 7 of 12 from 3 in a 2nd-half comeback in Pullman. you can put part of the blame on injuries, lack of depth, and ever-changing lineups, but it comes down to hustle.

next year is supposed to bring a 4-star PG from West Linn and 5-star SF and PF. add those to the pieces currently in-place--especially in the paint--and you have the makings of a pretty good team. Dana needs to find some glue-guys (preferably with more than one year of remaining eligibility) like Elgin Cook, Dylan Ennis, or Snoop Dog Benjamin who will buy into the team concept.

maybe that will put some butts in the seats.

I agree that the AD is simply heading up a very bad marketing effort with basketball.  That said, hoops is pretty hard to promote when fans cannot develop much of a relationship with the players and coaching staff.  Last player on the men's side that fans had a relationship with was Pritchard, on the women's side it was SI20.  And both Altman and Graves are aloof with the public, being more about the business of coaching than promotion.  

I think that Altman is truly done with running a basketball factory and is hoping at some point to build a team for maybe a last run at a Final Four before he retires, hopefully he can do that at Oregon, but my guess is he lands at a mid-major.  Don't see him bailing this coming season, but if next year produces more of the same as this year, I think the parting will happen and be mutual.

Jiffy Jeff wrote:

I 

.  Don't see him bailing this coming season, but if next year produces more of the same as this year, I think the parting will happen and be mutual.

I could see that happening.

My only hope is that Shelstad will be the guy for us. We need a stud PG in a desperate way. Maybe he will stay 3 or 4 years and provide leadership and stability in the program.

I'd kill for another Payton Pritchard type guy.