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Oregon Ducks Earn Respect, And A Ranking As Season Comes To A Close

By Justin Phillips

Mar 25, 2017; Bridgeport, CT, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) returns the ball against Maryland Terrapins forward Stephanie Jones (24) during the first half in the semifinals of the Bridgeport Regional of the women's 2017 NCAA Tournament at Webster Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Bridgeport, CT, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) returns the ball against Maryland Terrapins forward Stephanie Jones (24) during the first half in the semifinals of the Bridgeport Regional of the women's 2017 NCAA Tournament at Webster Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oregon Ducks Women’s Basketball team was ranked on the fringes of the polls this season and end the year with their highest ranking of the season.

Women’s College Basketball is now complete for 2016-17. Against all odds, the Oregon Ducks led by Kelly Graves made it all the way to the Elite Eight passing Duke and Maryland as big tests along the way. While Oregon fell well short against Connecticut in their bid to make their first ever Final Four, the team was rewarded on Monday.

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The Oregon Ducks finished the year ranked 16th in the USA Today Coaches Poll. The Oregon State Beavers finished 9th and Oklahoma came in 20th.

The experience of the season for the Oregon Ducks will push them to get back next season. Sabrina Ionescu is a floor leader who has the talent and the instinct to carry this team far in the years to come. Oregon finally has an inside presence with Ruthy Hebard who will continue to get better and better and three-point shooter Lexi Bando carried the best percentage from beyond the arc for a good part of the season.

Head Coach Kelly Graves has a postseason formula that works. According to GoDucks.com, his teams have pulled multiple upsets over higher seeds. Twice against two seeds and three times vs three seeds, including the wins this year.

The Oregon Ducks finished the season 23-14 including a 10-5 record at Matthew Knight Arena and a 7-2 record at neutral sites. The Ducks were .500 on the road at 7-7.

Next: Oregon Softball Sweeps Arizona State, Remains Undefeated

While the 2018 schedule is still being worked out we do know that UConn will come to Eugene in November, but to face Michigan State. The Ducks will face Oklahoma as part of the two games as part of the Phil Knight Invitational on November 25th.