Oregon Ducks News: Dante inks Hawk deal, Ionescu, Liberty host Lynx, Pate questions Quack star power

Former Duck Dante becomes a Hawk

Oregon center N'Faly Dante signed a two-year contract with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. A five-star recruit from Bamako, Mali, the 6-11, 265 Dante played five seasons at Oregon, All-PAC-12 First Team as a senior. He shot 65 percent over his college career.

Big Night for Ionescu, Liberty in Brooklyn

Fresh off a three-game road trip Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty host the league-leading Minnesota Lynx at the Barclays Center Tuesday night, 4 p.m. on NBA TV.

The defending champions have slipped into third place at 21-13 after losing three of four, two of three on their road swing. The hot-shooting Lynx have won four in a row, including an 83-71 win over the New Yorkers in Minnesota on August 13 and 86-80 win on Saturday in which Lynx guard Courtney Williams poured in 26 points.

Ionescu is averaging 19.2 points and 5.3 assists for the defending champions, who have struggled without forwards Breanna Stewart and Nyara Sabally, out for weeks with knee injuries.

Josh Pate questions Oregon's running back depth, star power.

Sunday on his podcast "The Josh Pate College Football Show" made some pointed observations about the Ducks' prospects for a repeat Big Ten Championship after visiting practice over the weekend.

"I am in a weird position with Oregon," Pate said. "I think that's the best collection of talent Lanning's had since he's been there."

"But yet there are some hinge points that are going to determine whether they are capable of competing for the Big Ten Championship this year."

"It's not Dante Moore actually. Dante Moore I feel great about. Dante Moore is gonna be a stud."

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