Grandpa Duck

So I watched the game again, and reviewed the stats. My perception about rebounds was just flat wrong, 36-34, UConn. But they had more opportunities because the Ducks shot better (for those wondering what that means, there is no reboud when the ball goes in the basket and Oregon made a higher percentage of their shots and took two more shots). The most significant stat was turnovers, Ducks 12, UConn 19, and the ensuing points off turnovers, where the Ducks led by 12. There were three times Duck players went to the floor to gain possession from the Huskies, once leading to a held ball with the arrow favoring the Ducks and the other two both led to almost immediate Duck buckets. And, the Ducks were 9 of 24 beyond the three-point line and the Huskies only 3 of 18. Announcers said that UConn is not know as a three point shooting team. Today they had little choice but to shoot from out there because the Duck "D" kept them from getting the ball inside and many of their threes were just to beat the shot clock. Ultimately, this game was won by outstanding defense, particularly our four tallest women, Sabally, 6'5", Prince 6'7", Phillipina Kyei, 6'8" who had a significant block as time ran out at half, and the almost unrecognized Kylee Watson, 6'5". Watson takes up a lot of space in the paint, moves well and quickly. In a game like today, where the officials are letting the women play and bounce off one another, she shines bright. Lots of touches on the ball that don't show in the stats. Twice in the game Kelly Graves went with a small line-up, at the beginning of both halves. He did not stay that way long either time because it did not work. Our taller women dominated on the UConn end of the court. Paopao led with 22 points followed by Prince with 14. Both of these players and Sabally have had extended time away with injuries, so the team is just now beginning to work well together. Ten players scored. My feeling for the rest of the season is that if our taller players stay healthy the Duck women are going to cause a lot of teams a lot of problems. The whole team works hard the entire time they're on the court. Really fun to watch. Chick hoops? Hardley. If you are not watching the Duck women play basketball, you should try it. You'll like it!

It was really fun to be there with my beloved spouse, Jan, an inveterate women's BB fan. When we first started watching Duck Women play, way back when Bev Smith was leading the charge, guys would sneer at me saying "Chick Hoops?" I replied: "They play a game I can relate to"; meaning on the floor, rather than in the air. The 30-Duck comment above about Kamikaze Kids is what was actually happening. I counted three UConn turnovers where Duck players went to the floor and came up with the ball. Yes, UConn was down two of their stars, Paige Brueckers (she of the NIL million $$$ endorsements, mostly from Gatorade) was dressed down but in a full leg brace and not running. Christyn Williams was out with Covid. Also Frosh Guard Azzi Fudd is out with an injury. All three of those players are 5'11" Guards. UConn started three other guards, including regular Nika Muhl and Salem Oregon's Evina Westbrook of similar height. It wasn't Guard play that made the difference. The Ducks won this game with hustle, rotating 10 players and getting boards. Only one of the Ducks' tallest players started, Nyara Sabally, 6'5, going against a UConn lineup with Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Dorka Juhasz, both 6'5". With the Ducks down 10-0, Graves brought in 6'7" Sedona Prince and the turn around began. Using a classic zone breaker with high and low post led to threes by Sydney Parish and Sabally. The Ducks fought back to 6 second mark where Te-Hina Paopao was fouled on a drive and hit both free throws to take a 15-14 lead at the quarter break that was never relinquished. To me the big difference was on the boards, especially on the defensive end. Our big players blocked out the UConn bigs so that our guards could crash and get the rebound. Well, my wife is chomping at the bit to watch the recorded game so I'll go share that experience and come back with more comments after the stats are published. I want to see just how much they support my impression of the board play.

Knute Rockne, All American. Ronald Regan played George Gipp, who from his hospitable bed urged: “Win one for the Gipper!” After shedding tears (I was about age eight) I quit football movies.

Thoughts that come to mind are: "rotten apple in a barrel", distraction, undependable. I hope that this program can do much better and get off on a route that leads to young men getting a degree. This guy is just looking for a place where he can redeem himself for an entry to the NFL that is probably not there for him today. People that are mean to women have no place in the Duck program IMHO. And if you think I am jumpping to a conclusion about being mean to women, "felony" domestic violence does not mean something else than that. OK, Charles, if this violates a rule about speaking ill of a player my defense is that he is not there yet.

The basic rule for job hunting is "Never leave the good job you have until you're sure you have a better one tied down." As far as I know, there are no limits on coaches recruiting from another team's roster. Dye may already have his next slot in place. Another possibility is that Dye has not been able to secure a NIL from any Oregon backers, so he is opening his talents up to the highest bidder. We don't know where CFB is headed, much less where it's going to be as early as next fall.

"The story and theater in the Alabama-Georgia match up was Saban and Kirby, master vs former pupil." Yes, that is the story that was told. The story I saw on my TV screen was Bulldog defensive players in the 'Bama backfield chasing a Heisman Trophy winner until he was totally worn out. Anybody who thinks Lanning was not the major contributor to the win Monday evening was not watching the game I saw.

Nike will hire them to do what? I know a person, highly qualified worker who has held some fine jobs and does hold one now. 20-25 years ago this person wanted very much to work for Nike, and applied for several jobs. Got some interviews, but was never hired. It is really competitive to get a job there.

I figured Lanning was not in the post game because he was out of there. Watched the whole thing and did not see him. Of course in my aged condition, who knows?

Holding Alabama to 18 points, five attempted field goals (one blocked) and a single TD is an accomplishment few DC’s get to savor. should encourage a few big bodies to train as Ducks!

Outstanding article. Very informative learning experience. If you have not read it, take a few minutes to do so before the game. I will read it again, then, to refresh my memory.

Alabama wins 33 - 27, 204 yds rushing 248 yds passing 1 T O 2 sacks

Charles, do it all the time! Big smiling emoji here.

“The Forum with Decorum” has class. Just like Charles and his OBD website!

Chuckling in part because he can pick wherever he wants to go. Time was there was pressure to make sure the recruit got one of the precious 85 scholarships. Now, with NIL, the scholarship limit ceases to be a significant factor for the recruit whose publicized image is worth $$$$$.

Great writing, Charles. This article needs this bump to the top of the list.

The little brothers down the road are a back yard. Oregon is a “Universe”. I have always disliked calling our program a nation.

Thank you, Charles, for accommodating my aged incompetence.

Link connected me to a female broadcaster and some ads, but no Lanning speech.

How about the obvious - getting a degree. Only a very few players go to the NFL. All these new coaches coming to build Lanning’s dream team. Every one has a degree. Want to teach school? Get that degree, maybe two of them.

Take a look at the U-Tube presentation of then #1 Army defeating #2 Navy in the 1944 thriller. You will see Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard of Army running a full-house "T" formation and Navy getting shredded 23-7, still stuck playing single wing football. Vestiges of both formations are still with today's football, with single wing direct snaps to a running back while the QB, or a sub for the QB, blocks. But does any thinking coach run a full diet of these formations? Chip Kelly's multiple-option mesh, with sign boards signalling in formations and plays, took until the third year for players to perfect, and only a very few QB's are capable of thinking that fast. The opponents' defense of Chip's teams had the disadvantage of facing that attack only once a year. Even Chip doesn't rely much on it anymore. Yes, I see it run a few plays in today's games, often with "Oops, the RB just got handed the ball and two d-linemen snuffed him for a three yard loss." I am hoping Lanning comes up with something very different from that.

While I cherish the past, and the schemes Charles’ library holds on this site, that success was dependent upon tempo and facing outdated defenses that current teams trashed long ago. We need a team that is at the cutting edge of what is happening today, not ten years ago. My expectation is that this eager young staff will bring their own innovative changes that surprise opponent coaches the way our “brand” once did so well. That surprise factor coupled with speed is the Oregon football I hope to see.

As my son, a football fanatic, texted during the game, “Hard not to be excited about Lanning.” I replied, “ I found the clip of him talking to his players very interesting. Totally engaged.” He cannot do it alone. Hopefully he is hiring a staff that duplicates his enthusiasm.

David, with all due respect, I can stand to be bored if the Ducks put points on the board every possession.

I once worked for a lousy boss and left a very good job because of him. After some others at my level also quit, the lousy boss was canned. Then the company hired all of us back. None of us picked up his offensive behaviors.

Maybe some recruits will recognize the opportunity for early playing time.