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Final Four: Oregon Ducks Flying Under The Radar vs North Carolina

By Justin Phillips

Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman looks on during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman looks on during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Throughout much of this week the National Media attention has been on three teams in the NCAA Tournament, but Oregon is lacking respectability.

One area that should be in discussion for the Oregon Ducks is they have been undefeated at home over the last two seasons. They have built momentum at key points over the last to years to make it as a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. After a rough start in 2016, Dana Altman and Oregon made a big push winning 17 straight games.

This is a team that has been to Back to Back Elite Eights, taking out Kansas last weekend on pretty much their home floor in Kansas City, Missouri. The concern for Oregon on the court will be protecting the rim against North Carolina this week. The Tar Heels have a big inside game and it will be a test for Jordan Bell and Kavell Bigby-Williams.

Offensively the play of Dillon Brooks and Tyler Dorsey will lead the way. The ‘Oregon Media’ has done a great job covering their team, but Nationally it seems that there is more on the other three teams in the Tourney. One even went as far as to with the three teams in the Tournament luck, missing Oregon all together – it was a joke, but I would expect nothing less from a former Oregon State Beavers kicker.

In Eugene, fans are excited. With it being Spring Break at the University of Oregon this week it has been more quiet than usual, but you can bet the fans that packed the seats at Matthew Knight Arena are ready for Saturday night in Phoenix.

I think for the conversation to shift, Oregon has to win vs North Carolina. If the Tar Heels are victorious, the conversation will be about redemption from last season losing to Villanova. If the Oregon Ducks win, it will shift the conversation Nationally and Dana Altman will get some much needed recognition for what he has done in Eugene.

Next: Oregon Baseball: Ducks Hit The Road For Utah, BYU

The Oregon Ducks and North Carolina Tar Heels meet on Saturday from Phoenix, Arizona at 5:49pm Pacific Time on CBS.

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