In the last Pac-12 basketball game, the Oregon Ducks and Colorado Buffaloes fought tooth and nail for the eternal title. Both teams entered the tournament unranked nationally and were vying for their ticket to the Big Dance with a conference tournament win.
At the end of 40 minutes, Oregon is heading home with the forever Pac-12 Tournament title and a bid at the NCAA Tournament.
Oregon representing the Last pac12 game in its history for basketball tonight!
— Jonathan Stewart (@Jonathanstewar1) March 17, 2024
Win & in. Last Pac-12 Title Game ever. LETS GO DUCKS!!!!
— 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩 𝘿𝙚 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙞 (@MattDeBlasi) March 17, 2024
Oregon starting slow and N’Faly Dante having to sit out with two early fouls allowed Colorado to build a lead over the first 20 minutes.
Head coach Dana Altman quickly abandoned the idea of leaving Dante on the bench and when the star Duck center returned to the court, the momentum shifted in Oregon’s direction.
The Ducks eked out a three-point advantage at the buzzer after a highly physical first half. As the Buffs and Ducks went their separate ways to the locker rooms, Oregon was ahead 33-30.
At the half. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/bYKqImT9Pb
— Oregon Men's Basketball (@OregonMBB) March 17, 2024
After how things looked early on, Oregon had a great finish to the half.
— Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) March 17, 2024
33-30 at the break. 20 minutes for the season.
Throughout the entirety of the game, Altman was visibly upset with how the referees were calling the game. There were repeated fouls called on the Ducks when there was seemingly no contact and repeated no-calls when Oregon players were getting pummeled.
Dana Altman yelled at the officials, "THAT'S A BUCKET!" after the officials declared Shelstad's layup that went in came what they say is well after the foul.
— Matt Prehm (@MattPrehm) March 17, 2024
Oregon has been getting absolutely hosed by the officiating in this first half.
So many bad calls met with Colorado missed free throws. Ball don’t lie
— Barstool Ducks (@BarstoolDucks) March 17, 2024
Per @Pac10conference rules, N’faly Dante isnt allowed to play defense.
— Derek (@Left_ee) March 17, 2024
Dana Altman isn't even arguing with the officials anymore. Only looking at them in disbelief at these calls.
— Matt Prehm (@MattPrehm) March 17, 2024
While I’m biased toward the Ducks, despite the bad reffing (a classic for a Pac-12 matchup), Oregon was led by Jermaine Couisnard, Jackson Shelstad, and Dante to an impressive second half.
Set more high ball screens for Couisnard
— Barstool Ducks (@BarstoolDucks) March 17, 2024
I’m buying a couisnard nba jersey idc
— Baemar Baeyes (@baemar888) March 17, 2024
Couisnard finished the game with 14 points, 2 steals, and 8 assists.
"I'm gonna do whatever I need to win tonight," Couisnard told reporters he said to his teammate before the game. "I got y'all, man."
It is so fun watching Shelstad play. #GoDucks
— emilyetaylor (@emilyetaylor23) March 17, 2024
Shelstad flashing some real NBA potential by hitting shots like this as a FR. https://t.co/G9WsOYsoA3
— Eric Hovland (@EricJHovland) March 17, 2024
Shelstad added to Couisnard’s total with his own 17 and 5 rebounds.
Not to mention, Dante finished the game at 100 percent from the field, contributing 25 points and 9 total rebounds for the Ducks.
N’Faly Dante is actually him
— Matt Delman (@delman_matt) March 17, 2024
What a stat from the broadcast.
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) March 17, 2024
N'Faly Dante is 39 of 45 from the field in the last five games.
Those are superhero numbers right there.
Live look at N’Faly Dante carrying the Ducks once again pic.twitter.com/h5EmMLWJ75
— Joe Waltasti (@waltasti) March 17, 2024
You think Dante wants to make the NCAA Tournament?? Sheesh!!
— Locked on Ducks (@LockedOnDucks) March 17, 2024
Dante was named the Most Outstanding player at the end of the game.
"When Dante's healthy and we're getting him the ball, he's just unbelievable," Altman said. "It's been a pleasure to work with him."
In a game that just meant more, the Ducks walked away with a 75-68 victory over the Buffaloes.
This is Oregon’s sixth conference tournament title. Oregon won the very first Pac-12 Tournament as well as the first-ever NCAA Tournament championship.
Watching my Oregon Ducks & they just showed a highlight of the "Tall Firs," the 1939 Oregon National Champions. The greatest team in the history of college basketball. And there's 6'8" Slim Wintermute, the greatest player in the history of college basketball.
— dave smith (@davesportsgod) March 17, 2024
VIVA LA DUCKS pic.twitter.com/bcI02TJ7XJ
— Barstool Ducks (@BarstoolDucks) March 17, 2024
This team is GOING TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT. #GoDucks #AlwaysUs https://t.co/oIS4EvlfIe pic.twitter.com/yHG9YWuz7g
— Alex Stimson (@AlexStimson) March 17, 2024
— Jargo (@Jargo26) March 17, 2024
Rooted in substance!
— Austin 🦆 (@deviousduck_) March 17, 2024
PAC 12 Tournament Champions 🦆🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/PtN0pT07lv
Selection Sunday will start at 3 p.m. PT on March 17. The First Four round of the NCAA Tournament is set for March 19 and 20. Fans can catch all of the action on CBS Sports.