Weekend Touchback: Sweet Weekend for Oregon Basketball, Diamond Ducks Sweep Arizona

Oregon Basketball Knocks Out St Louis, Advances to Sweet 16

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.

Oregon Ducks This Week:

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