Mar 28, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman speaks at a press conference during practice the day before the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

In losing out earlier this month in the Andre Gordon Sweepstakes, Oregon signed a solid forward in Elgin Cook, who has three years of eligibility with the Ducks. Oregon also signed Jalil Abdul-Bassitt who will be a Junior this Fall.

Press Release from the U of O:

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon men’s basketball coach Dana Altman has announced the signing of two junior college transfers, adding forward Elgin Cook and guard Jalil Abdul-Bassit as the latest member of UO’s 2013-14 class.

Cook, a 6-6 forward from Milwaukee, spent his freshman season at Northwest Florida State, earning first-team All-Panhandle accolades as the conference’s Freshman of the Year. The son of former NBA All-Star Alvin Robertson, Cook averaged 14.9 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest for the No. 3-ranked (nationally) Raiders.

Abdul-Bassit, a 6-4 backcourt player from Anchorage, Alaska, spent the past two seasons at North Idaho College, where he was an All-Region first team performer for the Cardinals. He was NIC’s second-leading scorer this past season, averaging 13.0 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, while shooting better than 45% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range.

Cook will be a sophomore and Abdul-Bassit a junior this fall.

The latest signees join a class that already includes prep players Jordan Bell (F, Long Beach, Calif.), Christiano Felicio (F, Brazil) and A.J. Lapray (G, Salem, Ore.). The signing period runs from April 17 to May 15.

Oregon finished the past season with an overall record of 28-9, winning the Pac-12 Conference Tournament Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16.

Mar 28, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman during practice the day before the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

We’ll start with Oregon Head Coach.

Dana Altman was asked about the program and this being his  ’first’ NCAA Tournament with Oregon:

This team is excited – E.J. is the only one who has been there four years, it’s really special for him. We’re still trying to get the equation right, we’ve had some hits and some misses. We’d like to continue to build our base that we can have a corps group of guys to build around.

On being there with three other coaches..(Duke/Krzyzewski, Michigan State/Izzo, Louisville/Pitino)

 Those three guys have unbelievable careers, they’re going to be Hall of Fame Coaches. All three of those programs because of there coaches have great teams and great traditions and we’re trying to build our tradition.

On Oregon Taking An Underdog Mentality?

 I don’t think too much was made about it in the locker room, more made in the press. Right now we now we’re playing a very talented team and one that if we don’t stay focused for for 40 minutes they have a tendency to blow teams away.

When (Altman) Came to Oregon Was it Tough to Envision this type of success?

 It really wasn’t. if you look at all the programs we have on campus, (Oregon) is committed to having quality programs. When we came three years ago sitting with 6 guys on the roster we didn’t know how quickly it would happen. Expectations when you go to the U of O is to try to compete, I’m fortunate to get the group of guys together that we did.

Mar 28, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz (left) talks with Oregon Ducks forward E.J. Singler during practice the day before the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The players had the opportunity to talk about the program and the upcoming game with Louisville. E.J. Singler, who has been with the program the longest talked about Dana Altman, the coach:

He’s done an unbelievable job, first two years had to bring in some transfers. This year has been his first recruiting class. Overall he’s been a good coach and taken Oregon Basketball to the next level.

A lot has been said about the Louisville Press(not the media, the Defense):

Louisville is unbelievable Defensive team, press really gets after you…you really can’t simulate their pressure in practice.  All you really can do is get ready for it, talk about it, and know what you have to do against it…. We’ve really been focusing on being strong with the ball and limiting our turnovers.

In discussing of Oregon belonged with other Top Teams in the Regional:

The other teams here are historic…all have been here a lot…Oregon is not up to that par of the history, but excited were a part of it…this is where we want to be, this is where were supposed to be. Can’t wait to play against Louisville on Friday.

AutzenZoo  did a Q and A with the Louisville Blog of Fansided to help give some insight on the Cardinals.

Oregon and Louisville Friday at 4:15 PT in the Sweet 16 on CBS.

Oregon Ducks This Week: 

For more on the Ducks you can follow AutzenZoo on Facebook and Twitter

March 23, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward E.J. Singler (25) dribbles against the Saint Louis Billikens during the first half of the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon’s E.J. Singler is having quite the month. The Ducks won the Pac 12 Tournament Title and have taken two games so far in the NCAA Tournament, beating both Oklahoma State and St Louis. He has been in a Duck uniform going back a few years when the Head Coach was Ernie Kent. Since then Singler has made his mark on the Oregon Basketball Program, putting his name to the history books in several categories. Singler now finds himself, along with his teammates somewhere they have never been, the Sweet 16.

“It feels amazing. All the hard work we’ve put in is paying off”  -Singler on going to the Sweet 16

He spoke on Monday with Jim Rome about basketball, his brother Kyle, who played for Duke, and being in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. He also gave some insight on the team the Ducks will face on Friday, the #1 and Top Seed of the Tournament, Louisville.

E.J. Singler « The Jim Rome Show

Oregon faces Louisville on Friday at 4:15pm(PT)  from Indianapolis. The game will be on CBS.

Oregon Ducks This Week:

For more on the Ducks you can follow AutzenZoo on Facebook and Twitter