Tag: N’Faly Dante

Stanford transfer F Brandon Angel commits to Oregon

Big-time transfer pick up for the Ducks.

It was bound to happen at some point.

After losing several key rotation players to the transfer portal this offseason, the Oregon Ducks have finally made an addition from the portal: Brandon Angel, a fifth-year forward from Stanford, according to a report from 24/7 High School Hoops.

In 2023, Angel averaged 13 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, per game. From the field last season, Angel shot 56.7% on eight attempts per game and 44.8% from three on 2,5 attempts per game. As a scorer, Angel consistently hits his catch-and-shoot threes and is an excellent finisher.

With the Ducks losing center N’Faly Dante this offseason, the addition of Angel is a big one, and it will give the Ducks multiple big men options next season. At 6’8″ and 210 lbs., Angel can hopefully be an impact player on the defensive side of the floor as well as on offense. His 0.9 defensive win shares last was the second most on the Cardinal.

 

Andrej Stojakovic, one of Angel’s teammates at Stanford last year, is another player in the portal who’s been tied to Oregon. Stojakovic has yet to announce his commitment, but now, coming to the Ducks would offer him the chance to reunite with his former teammate.

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Nate Bittle gives update on his sickness and says he’s coming back to Oregon in the fall

Nate Bittle shines light on the nature of his illness and announces his return to Oregon next year.

This was supposed to be a big year for Nate Bittle. Entering his third season at Oregon, the former 5-star recruit was set to have a key role on this season’s Ducks team, playing next to N’Faly Dante in the post.

But then in the third game of the season, Bittle took a fall in the paint and injured his wrist, which kept him out until late January. Then, as Bittle was making his return against Arizona State, he got sick. Bittle played a bit in the Ducks’ next game against Arizona, but since then, that sickness — which is still unknown — has kept Bittle off the court.

Now, almost two months later, the Oregon Ducks are about to tip off their first NCAA tournament game in three years. On Wednesday before the Ducks practice in Pittsburgh, Bittle spoke to the media, shining light on what the last seven weeks have been like for him.

“I lost 15 pounds,” Bittle said during Wednesday’s media availability, per The Oregonian’s James Crepea. “I was about 230-232. Then I dropped all the way down to 214.6 I remember was I think the lowest. Now I’m working my way back up, but it’s been difficult.”

Oregon certainly wishes Bittle was available, as they prepare for their most important game in the last three seasons, with just eight healthy scholarship players. While tethered to the sideline, Bittle has still found a way to make impact, often being the most vocal and encouraging member of the Ducks bench.

After this season, Bittle will likely have two remaining seasons of eligibility, since he is pursuing a medical redshirt according to Crepea. In his talk with the media, Bittle declared his intention to return to Oregon in the fall.

“This is my place. I can’t leave.”

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N’Faly Dante named as one of top players on double-digit seeded teams

Andy Katz named N’Faly Dante as the No. 1 player on double-digit seeded teams in this year’s NCAA tournament field.

The Oregon Ducks are in the NCAA tournament for the first time in three years. Making it to the Big Dance was a long shot for Oregon since the Ducks needed to win their conference tournament to qualify. But after battling hard for three straight games in the Pac-12 tournament, the Ducks punched their tickets to the tournament.

A massive reason for Oregon’s success in the conference tournament was the premier play of senior center N’Faly Dante. In the Pac-12 tournament, Dante averaged 20.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.3 stocks (steals + blocks), per game.

Dante’s recent run of elite form has garnered national attention since Oregon received its automatic bid. Andy Katz, a reporter with the NCAA, named who he sees as the best 10 players from double-digit seeded teams in this year’s field. Topping the list, is N’Faly Dante.

Five seasons ago, Dante joined the Oregon Ducks, and since then, his road through college hasn’t been easy. But in a career riddled by injuries, Dante has persevered and enshrined himself as one of the great Oregon big men. In those five seasons, Dante has played over 100 games and scored over 1000 points for the Ducks. Now, he’s headed to his first NCAA tournament.

On Thursday, Oregon will play South Carolina at 1:00 p.m. PT in the first round of the NCAA tournament. If they win that game, they’ll play the winner of No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 14 Akron.

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Oregon to face South Carolina in the first round of March Madness

The Oregon Ducks first round matchup in March Madness is the South Carolina Gamecocks.

For the first time since the 2020-21 season, the Oregon Ducks are headed to the NCAA Tournament. The road to the Big Dance wasn’t smooth for Oregon, but it persevered and won the games that mattered most. The Ducks ended a magical run in dramatic fashion on Saturday night with a Pac-12 championship, beating the Colorado Buffaloes to clinch a tournament berth.

In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Ducks are a No. 11 seed, matching up with No. 6 South Carolina. Oregon’s first-round matchup (and second-round matchup if it wins the first game) will be in Pittsburgh. Other teams in the same region include Purdue (No. 1), Gonzaga (No. 5) and Kansas (No. 4).

South Carolina shattered all preseason expectations. Some polls picked the Gamecocks to finish last in the SEC, but they ended up tying for second place in the conference.

One storyline to pay attention to in this matchup is Jermaine Couisnard. The sixth-year point guard has played his last two seasons at Oregon, but he played his first four seasons at South Carolina.

The Ducks’ first game will be on Thursday. If they win, they’ll play their second-round game on Saturday, also in Pittsburgh.

How to watch Selection Sunday, learn Oregon Ducks’ NCAA Tournament matchup

Everything you need to know about watching on Selection Sunday to learn the Oregon Ducks’ opponent in the NCAA Tournament.

It certainly didn’t feel like Selection Sunday was going to be much of an event for the Oregon Ducks, but as we’ve learned many times in the past, Dana Altman can work magic in March.

With their win over the Colorado Buffaloes in the Pac-12 championship gme on Saturday night, the Ducks clinched a spot in the NCAA Tournament. They will participate in March Madness for the first time since the 2020-21 season. After two straight trips to the NIT, this is a welcome outcome for Duck fans.

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So who can Oregon prepare to play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament? That will be decided on Selection Sunday. While many teams on the bubble await their fate, the Ducks have the luxury of waiting only to see who they will play.

Here is everything you need to know about when and how to watch Selection Sunday:

  • Date: Sunday, March 17 | Time: 3 p.m. PT
  • TV: CBS

The NCAA Tournament will begin on Tuesday, with the First Four games being played on Tuesday and Wednesday. The first round begins on Thursday, and the second round on Saturday. Here is a full schedule for the tournament:

  • March 19-20: First Four
  • March 21-22: First round
  • March 23-24: Second round
  • March 28-29: Sweet 16
  • March 30-31: Elite Eight
  • April 6: Final Four at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix
  • April 8: Final Four at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix

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With Pac-12 championship win, Dana Altman and the Ducks are going dancing

Dana Altman and the Oregon Ducks won the Pac-12 championship game on Saturday night, clinching a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

His name is Dana Altman, and he aligns Rubix Cubes.

After a disappointing season that seemed poised for a third straight NIT bid, the Oregon Ducks completed a miraculous run in the Pac-12 Tournament on Saturday night with a win over the Colorado Buffaloes in the championship game. The victory earned the Ducks the conference’s automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament.

Oregon’s N’Faly Dante was the best player on the floor by far, finishing with 25 points and 9 rebounds on 12-for-12 shooting.

This is the first time since the 2020-21 season the Ducks have made it to March Madness.

The Ducks were forced to go through the Pac-12 Tournament with just eight  scholarship players healthy after Keeshawn Barthelemy, Nate Bittle, Jessie Zarzuela and Mookie Cook went down with injuries this year. They almost lost Dante on Friday when the big man took a hard fall early in the game against Arizona.

The Ducks will learn their fate when the matchups are revealed on Selection Sunday.

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Dana Altman gives injury update on N’Faly Dante after scary fall

Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman gives an injury update on N’Faly Dante after taking a hard fall in the win over Arizona.

The Oregon Ducks pulled off a historic upset on Friday night, beating the No. 6 Arizona Wildcats and advancing to the championship game in the Pac-12 Tournament. After falling down 30-11 in the first half, the Ducks put together a masterful second half that led them to the 67-59 victory.

That outcome looked very much in doubt early in the game, especially after Oregon’s star N’Faly Dante went down with what looked like a brutal injury just one minute into the game. Dante went up for a block, and got undercut, coming down directly on his hip/lower back area.

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The center had to be carried off of the floor, and he was out of the game and in the locker room for a large portion of the first half while the Ducks tried to keep the game within reach.

Dante ended up returning to the game and went on to have 14 points and 10 rebounds in a comeback effort for Oregon. After the game, head coach Dana Altman gave an update on Dante’s injury status going forward.

“Dante took a terrible fall there, and they took him back for X-rays,” Altman said after the game. “Everything was negative, but he’s got a bad bruise on his tailbone. So he’ll be a little stiff in the morning. Hopefully, by 6 o’clock he will be loose.”

Oregon will need Dante as healthy as possible in order to take down whichever opponent they face — No. 2 seed Washington State is playing No. 3 seed Colorado in the second semifinal currently on Friday night.

The Ducks are 1-1 this year against Washington State, and 0-2 against Colorado.

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Photo Gallery: Oregon closes the season with a win on Senior Night

A photo gallery of the best images from the Oregon Ducks 2024 men’s basketball Senior Night.

On Saturday, the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team played their final 2023-24 regular season game in Matthew Knight Arena, beating the Utah Utes 66-65 on Senior Night. On Thursday, the Ducks will tip off their first game of the Pac-12 tournament, against the winner of the UCLA vs. Oregon State first-round matchup.

Both teams struggled to put the ball in the basket in Saturday’s game, but because of the defensive battle, the score of the game was tight throughout. The Ducks got their biggest spark midway through the second half when N’Faly Dante finished at the rim on three consecutive possessions, drawing and-one fouls on two of the baskets.

Saturday wasn’t just another game for Oregon, it was also Senior Night. The Ducks senior class includes N’Faly Dante, Jermaine Couisnard, Keeshawn Barthelemy, Kario Oquendo, and Mahamadou Diawara, as well as walk-ons Gabe Reichle and Caleb McCloud. Since the Ducks are likely bound for the NIT again this season, this probably won’t be these senior’s last game at Matthew Knight.

Below are the best images from the Oregon Ducks’ 2023-24 Senior Night win over Utah.

 

MBB Recap: Oregon gets crushed down in the desert, giving up season-high 103 points

The Oregon Ducks fall to the Arizona Wildcats 83-103 on Saturday morning.

The Oregon Ducks lost to the Arizona Wildcats in their final road game of the Pac-12 season, and it was a game that was never close.

For a few minutes to start the game, the Ducks traded baskets with the Wildcats, but then Arizona quickly went on a run, and the Ducks lost control of the game. At the half, the Ducks were down 30-51.

In the second half, there were points where it looked like Oregon might crawl back, but the Wildcats always responded and re-extended their lead. Jermaine Cousinard came alive for the Ducks in the second half, scoring 33 second-half points on 75% shooting, but it wasn’t enough to give Oregon a chance to win.

N’Faly Dante had an injury scare in the second half after Jadrian Tracey fell on his ankle. Dante went to the locker room in visible pain, but he returned to the bench a few minutes later and finished the game for the Ducks.

MBB Recap: Oregon grabs definitive win against Stanford

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12 days ago, the Oregon Ducks lost to Washington State at home, all but extinguishing their March Madness hopes. But after winning on Saturday at Oregon State, and winning Thursday night in Palo Alto against the Stanford Cardinal, the Ducks have shown that they are not yet out of the fight.

After a close first half, the Ducks pulled away in the second half. The Cardinal were held to 41% from the field in the second half and 33 points, which led Oregon to a 13-point victory.

Jadrian Tracey shined in Thursday’s win. He finished with 19 points on 62% shooting. He also made 4/5 three-pointers, several of which were in the first half, which helped jump-start the Ducks’ offense.

Below are the rest of my instant reactions to Oregon’s Thursday night win.