Moser Leads Oregon Past Illinois, Ducks Moves Up in Polls

Nov 29, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Pacific Tigers guard Spencer Llewellyn (5) and Oregon Ducks center Waverly Austin (20) and Oregon Ducks Mike Moser (0) reach for a loose ball at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon’s Mike Moser led the Ducks in his hometown of Portland on Saturday against Illinois. He had 14 points and nine rebounds in the Ducks victory over the Fighting Illini at the Moda Center 71-64. Oregon, now 9-0 on the season moved up several spots in both the Associated Press and Coaches poll this week after winning last week and dropping two spots.

"It feels really good. We’ve been playing at a high level. There’s some things we want to work on, but the undefeated part is pretty good.Freshman Mike Moser on the Win over Illinois"

Dana Altman now had some decisions to make. Just before the start of the season two players Dominic Artis and Ben Carter were suspended for nine games over selling team apparel. Now, that suspension is over and both players can return to the team. Just how they will be entered into the mix is not known. We will likely see how it all works out starting on Tuesday night against UC Irvine at Matthew Knight Arena. I don’t know what is more impressive the fact that Oregon is now 9-0 on the season or the thought before it began that they may not be where they are today without the suspended players.

Oregon will also possibly get an influx of new talent in incoming Freshman Jordan Bell, who will likely be eligible to play later this week. Altman will also pick up some talent in January at the conclusion of the Oregon Football Bowl game in San Antonio. Now is a good time to be an Oregon Duck, and fans will soon get to see the full potential of this team. With the Pac 12 season set to begin soon the Ducks could soon look like a team pushing for the Pac 12 Title once all the pieces come together. Two big pieces return to action this week.