Mar 29, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisville Cardinals center Gorgui Dieng (10) drives between Oregon Ducks forward Arsalan Kazemi (left) and center Zach Price (25) in the first half during the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

It took about 10 minutes of the first half for the Ducks(28-8) to get settled in playing against the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament,  Louisville(31-5). The Cardinals biggest lead was 16 in the first half, but Oregon was able to cut that in half with 8 minutes left. By the end of the first half, Freshman Damyean Dotson and Senior Carlos Emory bot had two fouls and Junior Johnathan Loyd had 3 fouls, the third questionable on a ball steal.  Damyean Dotson was way off and 0-6 from the field in the half for the Ducks. Oregon was 11 for 27 from the field and missing (possibly) needed free throws going 4 for 9.

“We Definitely Thought We Could Have Got This One” – Freshman Dominic Artis

The Cardinals Peyton Siva was in foul trouble early and left after playing the first 5 minutes with two fouls, Russ Smith had 16 for the Cardinals. For the half Louisville shot close to 60 percent. Oregon shot 40 percent.

Louisville had the most points allowed by the Ducks in a first half of play this season, 45-31.

In the second half, Oregon was able to get it to 10. At the 8 minute mark, Louisville had a block against Carlos Emory and then hit a three on the other end. Oregon then went on a 7-0 run. The Ducks then got it to 6 briefly and then it was again extended to 10.

Oregon was not able to keep up with Louisville and the Cardinals made some solid blocks on Defense in the last few minutes of the game. Carlos Emory fouled out with 10 points. E.J. Singler led the Ducks with 15, followed by Dotson and Artis with 12 each.

Louisville’s Russ Smith had 31 points in the Cardinals victory.

Amazing Season for Oregon from being Picked 7th in the Pac 12 to Getting though a lot of adversity to make it to the NCAA Sweet 16. Nothing to be ashamed of. It’s good they had Senior leadership to get them there and now the Freshman will look to lead this team back.

The Cardinals Advance to the Elite 8 to face Duke on Sunday. The teams have not faced each other in the NCAA Tournament since 1989. The coaches were the same. Mike Krzyzewski for Duke and Rick Pitino for Louisville. Two programs that don’t fire their coach for winning Championships.

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March 23, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Damyean Dotson (21)  Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Damyean Dotson led Oregon(28-8) over St Louis(28-7) with 23 points and hit his first five three pointers as Oregon knocked out  the Billikens 74-57 on Saturday night.

Oregon again got off to a slow start, but woke up quickly. A 21-4 run in first half and 60 percent shooting in first half gave the Ducks a 35-19 lead at the half St Louis shot 29 percent from the field and we’re 0-10 from 3 in first half Oregon established an inside game early. Senior Carlos Emory had a big first half and the Ducks pulled down 17 rebounds in first half. Oregon held the Billikens to nearly 4:00 without a field goal in first half.

“We think we can win the whole thing.”                     -Dotson on how far Oregon can go

St Louis started the second half with a small run before the Ducks put it together. Damyean Dotson helped the Ducks to a 19 point lead midway through the second half, the most for St Louis all season. Senior Carlos Emory went down hard on a block attempt and landed on his wrist, he told trainers he was okay and was spotted on the bench with ice on his wrist. He did return with his wrist wrapped. For the game Emory had 14 points, but his status could be a storyline this week.

Oregon out rebounded St Louis 46-26 for the game and shot 73 percent from beyond the arc(8-11), the Billikens struggled outside going 14 percent(3-21) for the game. The Ducks have proven they can shoot the 3, ESPN Stats and Info said the Ducks 72.7 percent performance is the best by a team since 2004 Boston College shot 75 percent.

The Ducks will faceoff against the Cardinals – not from Stanford, but the #1 Seed Louisville Variety on Friday in Indianapolis, Indiana in the Sweet 16. The game will tipoff at 4:15PT on CBS.

Video of the Postgame Celebration in the Oregon Locker Room with Coach Dana Altman(via GoDucks.com)

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“He was unbelievable for us this weekend. I’ve always had confidence in Johnny and I think he was just down on himself. He’s had a lot of ups and downs this season, but he has really worked on his game, is always in the gym and this is his payoff.”      Oregon Senior E.J. Singler

March 16, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks players pose for a photo after the championship game of the Pac 12 tournament against the UCLA Bruins at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Oregon defeated UCLA 78-69. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Other Ducks also chipped in on the effort against the Bruins. Oregon Senior Arsalan Kazemi had a double double with 12 points and 12 rebounds and Senior Carlos Emory put in 20. Oregon’s Defense Saturday night in the Pac 12 Championship Game was the best I have seen them this year.

Kazemi was a rebounding monster, as he usually is, but Freshman Ben Carter showed that he can be the Ducks man inside when he needs to be.

Oregon started out sluggish, but when they found their groove there was no going back. For the second game in a row they held a lead for a good part of the game. The Ducks shot 50 percent from three point range for the game, sinking 7 shots. The Ducks shot 47 percent from the field in the Pac 12 Tournament win, their first since 2007.

The Ducks also are going to the NCAA Tournament, with the Pac 12 Tournament Title in hand they are the conference’s automatic qualifier, although they would have made it as an at large had the lost to UCLA. This only helps the Ducks in one important area, seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Oregon also now has a three game winning streak and three National television appearances this week, which can only help.

I am looking at the Ducks as a 7 or 8 seed. However with other Conference Tournaments finishing today, and several nationally ranked teams upset earlier this week, Oregon could come in as high as a 5 or 6.(a 5 might be a reach).

All we know right now is Oregon is headed to the Big Dance as March Madness officially begins in the Willamette Valley shortly after 2pm (PT) Sunday.

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