Oregon Returns to AP Rankings for the First Time Since 2007. Face USC/UCLA This Weekend.

Jan, 13, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon returns to the AP Rankings for the first time since the final poll of 2007 entering at #21. Several other Pac 12 Teams are also in the poll this week including Arizona, falling to #7 after Thursday night’s loss to the Ducks. Oregon just missed the Coaches Poll by one point. UCLA received 38 points and the #25 slot , the Ducks had 37 points in the poll. Home cooking has been good to Oregon going back to last season. Dana Altman’s team has won 18 games in a row at Matthew Knight Arena. Oregon now goes on the road for the first time int he Pac 12 Season and their first foe is USC, who just fired coach Kevin O’Neill after a 7-10 start and and 0-5 Non Conference tilt. He went 48-65 in four years at USC.

The Pac 12 season is now in full swing and the challenges for Oregon to take the Pac 12 continue this weekend. The Ducks face the Trojans Thursday Night at 8pm in LA. Oregon will face UCLA Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavillion in LA at 1pm. Oregon has another opportunity, on the road, to impress a national audience. The game will be televised by CBS.

After this road trip Oregon returns home to Matthew Knight Arena to face the Washington Schools. Washington State, Wednesday, January 23rd at 6:30pm and Washington, Saturday, January 23d at 4pm.  Both games are on the Pac 12 Network.