The Oregon Ducks enter the Elite Eight as a 10 Seed and Cinderella Status after beating Maryland on Saturday.
Oregon has been consistent in the NCAA Tournament. They shot 45 percent from the floor against Maryland and had four players in double figures led by Freshman Sabrina Ionescu with 21. Lexi Bando was 3 for 8 from beyond the arc and hit timely shots when they were needed. Ionescu had a pass in the second quarter that was something that cannot be taught. It was past a Maryland defender to the corner and was executed with perfection.
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The Maryland Terrapins are not a team that lives or dies by the three point shot. They took six shots, and did not make one for the game. Ruthy Hebard’s inside presence led to a lot in the paint for the Oregon Ducks. Kelly Graves watched his team hit 94 percent going 15 for 16 from the free throw line.
The Oregon Ducks are in rare air. The program has never been here before. They are playing as loose as can be and are having fun. Monday afternoon they meet up with Connecticut and Geno Auriemma.
It will be a game that will certainly test this team. However, Oregon comes in as a dangerous team. Not one of the Freshman three, Sabrina Ionescu, Ruthy Hebard or Mallory McGwire, have lost a post season game. Right now all they know is winning, and to be the best, the opportunity to play and possibly beat the best does not come around all the time.
The Oregon Ducks and UConn Huskies tipoff Monday at 4pm Pacific Time on ESPN.