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 forward Arsalan Kazemi (14) celebrates with guard Johnathan Loyd (10) after the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament against the Saint Louis Billikens at HP Pavilion. Oregon defeated Saint Louis 74-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks(28-8), led by Freshman Damyean Dotson’s 23 points, including his first five three point attempts, took a 35-19 lead into halftime and never looked back taking care of the St Louis Billikens(28-7) 74-57. Now it’s time to play with the big boys of College Basketball. On Friday, the Ducks face off with the Louisville Cardinals, and if they can find a way to advance will meet either Michigan State or Duke for a shot at the Final Four.

UCLA and Colorado both lost over the weekend and one coach was let go after taking his team to four Final Fours in his career and this year’s Pac 12 Title. Makes no sense to me whatsoever..more on that in a moment. Arizona was able to survive and punch their ticket to the Sweet 16, along with the Ducks. The Wildcats get to play a little closer to home in Los Angeles against Ohio State on Friday. If they can advance they would face upset minded Wichita State or Play in game winner Lasalle. Speaking of upset minded, I have become a huge fan of Florida Gulf Coast after this weekend. A matchup with the Ducks would be possible moving forward, but what an incredible leap by a program in it’s very first NCAA Tournament as a 15 seed.

Since losing the Pac 12 Title to UCLA, who fired their coach Ben Howland over the weekend, Oregon has been on a hot streak. They took care of business to win the Pac 12 Tournament Title, and beat Oklahoma State and St Louis to get where they are right now.

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

The postgame locker room scene was filled with emotion from Center Tony Woods, who left the game in the 2nd half with four fouls. There is also a nice song/chant started by players and a quick speech from Coach Dana Altman.

Tipoff time in Indianapolis for the Ducks and the Cardinals is set for 4:15(PT) on Friday. The game will be broadcasts on CBS.

Oregon Baseball Holds Arizona in Place, Wildcats Still in Search for a Conference Victory

After losing a game on the road last weekend at USC, Coach George Horton had a talk with his Oregon Ducks(18-6, 5-1 Pac 12) . It worked. Over the weekend at PK Park the Ducks pitched their way to three consecutive victories against the Defending National Champions. Arizona(15-11, 0-6 Pac 12) came into the game licking it’s wounds after being swept last weekend by #3 Oregon State at home. The Ducks also had solid hitting from Shaun Chase, Aaron Payne and Ryan Healy. Oregon is also in a four way tie for first place in the Pac 12 Conference with Oregon State, UCLA and Cal.

Oregon’s homestand continues with a game on Tuesday at 6pm as they host Portland for one game before continuing the Pac 12 Schedule Thursday with Washington coming to Eugene for a series this weekend.

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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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