Graziani93

Altman is great, but he was kind of off this season too. He did not do Bittle any favors when he would yank him back to the bench as soon as he made one mistake. Let the guy make some mistakes, in addition to his occasional shots, blocked shots, etc. Give him some confidence and some real minutes to display his offense (he has a good outside shot - I've seen the highlights). Some of Altman's plays at the end of several close games, with a chance to win, left a lot to be desired (dribble out the clock and have Will take a long 3 that's not even close). Thank God, his pointless weave was done away with towards the end of the season. Disappointing all around, hopefully better next season.

Yes, Dante was getting better toward the end of the season about fumbling and losing the ball when thrown inside to him. But we have not seen any semblance of a midrange shot that Ayton has. Dante's got some work to do over the summer - free throws, short shots, etc. Not likely, but if Ware already has these tools (I have no idea yet), then he might give Dante a run for his money, even in the beginning of next season.

Thank you Franck for your passion and energy whilst a Duck! I always feared that you might hurt somebody (especially friendly fire) with your relentless attack, but it was fun. Good luck wherever you land, wish you nothing but the best.

Don't know much about Nemec, but "loses" is too strong a word when talking about Clownzano. The Oregonian loses Canzano like a patient loses cancer when he is in remission.

Unfortunately, the drink wasn't very good this year. It was inconsistent and not very satisfying at the end.

Ok, good luck, buh bye. I'm not sure what Crutchfield added to the Ducks this year, except bringing along Harmon from Oklahoma. He just sits so stoically on the bench during games. Does he even coach? This is a perfect opportunity to bring in a coach who can: (a) teach the big men some big man skills (other than catch, fake, little right hook) - even bring in Olajuwon for a few sessions (he can actually teach - seen the videos); (b) teach the entire team how to shoot free throws. Just do these two things and the team will be that much better. Not seeing any progression throughout the season is a problem.

I've been saying for two years now on the Boston Globe Celtics comment section that they don't know what they have in Pritchard or any idea how to use him. Been begging them to please let him go elsewhere before they ruin him. I tried becoming a fan of the Celtics but man, I gave up, that is an unlikable team/organization. Granted they're playing a little better now, but they're not going anywhere this or any other year. And you're right about Udoka, the guy's kind of full of himself when he hasn't done jack ever.

Well, alright, let the trash talking begin! Big chip on their shoulders for what? Wah wah wah.... I think we'll give them all they can handle and put them out of their misery. I don't normally bet on games but we should be underdogs and may make for a tasty little wager. Let me scrounge up some change laying around the house and make this fun!

Sounds like fun times. Although our standards have changed over the last decade or so, I am appreciating every extra game we have left this season in the NIT. It will help that we seem to want to be there more than perhaps Texas A&M does. Their coach had a meltdown after their first NIT game yesterday, whining about how they deserve to be in the Big Dance. Come on, man, be grateful and prepare for a battle against our Ducks!

I remember back in '96 or '97 one of the UCLA players talking smack to us Duck fans in the stands at Mac Court, asking "Y'all going to the NIT"? Can't remember who it was but remember thinking, "what an a**." We didn't have a good comeback then though. No doubt Utah State is not a bad team - they've beaten some good teams this year (Oklahoma, Richmond, San Diego St.). But it looks like they also had trouble closing out the season strong. For some reason, the Ducks seem to play better on the road this year anyway. I foresee a fun but close game with us coming out on top. In fact, if the basketball gods grant it, I may enjoy my Ducks being in the NIT more than if they had made the NCAA's. I live on the East Coast and will pay whatever it costs to see them live in the semi's and the final at Madison Square Garden in late March. Hell, if I'm gonna make a wish, I have us meeting VCU in the quarterfinals and I'll drive down to Richmond, VA to see that game. A lot's got to happen first though. One game at a time, let's get Will back healthy and take care of the Aggies later tonight!

No doubt Utah State is not a bad team - they've beaten some good teams this year (Oklahoma, Richmond, San Diego St.). But it looks like they also had trouble closing out the season strong. For some reason, the Ducks seem to play better on the road this year anyway. I foresee a fun but close game with us coming out on top. In fact, if the basketball gods grant it, I may enjoy my Ducks being in the NIT more than if they had made the NCAA's. I live on the East Coast and will pay whatever it costs to see them live in the semi's and the final at Madison Square Garden in late March. Hell, if I'm gonna make a wish, I have us meeting VCU in the quarterfinals and I'll drive down to Richmond, VA to see that game. A lot's got to happen first though. One game at a time, let's get Will back healthy and take care of the Aggies later tonight!

What are you saying? Just spit it out.

I was thinking that too, especially with 4 seconds left, down by 1. A quick entry to Dante or even Franck could have been an option. Then again, either probably would have fumbled the ball, or if fortunate enough to be fouled, missed the free throws. Most likely would have been the same ending anyway.

Anyone else sick of the stupid weave at the top of the key that we do for the first 10 - 15 seconds of each possession? It does nothing but tire out our guards and then we rush into a bad shot. I don't see the point of it - just go into the offense already.

I'm telling you, Franck is going to kill somebody before it's all done. Been saying that all season, just hope it's not friendly-fire.

Not only is tonight's game a must-win, I think the whole season (whether we make the tournament or not) comes down to this ONE game. The UCLA win on Thursday has resulted in our NET ranking climbing back up to a not great but at least respectable 58. Tonight's USC game is the only game left that has a chance of affecting the NET rankings in any material way. As I predicted before the first USC win in Los Angeles, I think USC is overrated. The only guys that concern me are Peterson and Ellis. But Ellis may not even play due to injury. It will be a close game, but if the fans show up again (and why the heck wouldn't you go to such a game?), it should be a solid win tonight. I still believe in Will as our big stud. He's been much maligned lately but give the man a chance - he is our leader and we'll go as far as he takes us. Obviously, we'll need solid contributions from our bigs (but catch the damn ball and hit some free throws down the stretch). Ultimately, in Dana we trust!

As I've said before, Franck is going to really hurt somebody with his relentless but often reckless hustle before the end of this season. Tonight he should have been called for a flagrant foul on the Washu player. I just pray there's no friendly fire situation at some point.

Nooooooooo! I needed this guy Boyle and his bald head to witness the spanking that our Ducks are going to lay on them Buffs. It's way overdue and it will be methodical. Mark my words and enjoy, Duck fans!

Oh, are there no fans again? That is sweet, it only helps. Loved being able to hear the loud Ducks bench every time they made a good play against UCLA.

Man, USC doesn't scare me. Just looked at their schedule and all their wins are against the likes of Dixie State, Cal State Northridge, St. Joseph's (non-conference) and against the dregs of the conference (Cal, OSU, WSU, Utah). We need to stop the shooters, especially Drew Peterson (killed us last year, I believe). We can finally match them in size this year (Bittle should get some more minutes) and Isaiah is the worse Mobley anyway. We got a great chance boys, let's get 'er done. What I would pay to see the look on Enfield's face after we avenge last year's loss at SC.

I like your outside the box thinking. Franck would be interesting as a tight end, but what about as a defensive end (along the lines of Thibodeaux or Armstrong). Then, he could really hurt somebody and it would be legal. You know, now that you mention it, I don't think Franck's been playing basketball that long, why not try some football? If this really happens, Haywarduck gets all the credit!

Thanks, 30Duck. Just realized your link to "Dreams" was the Fleetwood Mac song. Reading this comments trail with that song playing was NICE! I foresee good things happening tonight against SC. We owe them one anyway.

Walton is the best - you either love him or hate him. I find his telecasts hilarious and must-see TV (especially with Dave Pasch as his foil - "What's your name again?"). As a human being, he's a top-notch "glass is half full" kind of guy. And he appreciates our Ducks and Dana Altman and pumps them up whenever he can. Took my young son to a book signing that Bill had on the East Coast a few years ago. Could not have been nicer to a complete stranger kid, took a few moments to ask about him, and gave him encouragement. His message on my son's copy of the book is: "To H___, Chase your dream, shoot every time." Love that sentiment and appreciate Bill every time he's on TV, especially doing a Ducks game.

Great win, Ducks! It's slowly coming together. We should have won it in regulation, but we'll take it - 5 more minutes to enjoy this team that seems to like and trust each other a lot more. That Franck is a wrecking ball, he's going to hurt somebody. No, literally, he's going to hurt somebody. After every play that he's involved in, he crashes into the guy with the ball and hits them hard (Bernard, Clark were a few of the casualties yesterday). Franck's like that one guy on the court in pick up games that doesn't really know how to play yet, but he's big and strong and tries real hard, almost too hard. I just hope that there's no friendly fire injuries at some point. Dare we dream of a sweep in L.A. this weekend? Would love to dash the Trojans' wet dreams. Go Ducks!

Glad we got the win but, my God, is there no coach on this entire team that can teach the players how to shoot free throws? It's not that hard, just figure out the simplest method and practice your ass off on free throws. If I were Dante, with a possible NBA future on the line, I would work my ass off for hours after regular practice on (1) free throws; and (2) hand-eye coordination/ball handling. Good guy, great potential, and had a great night tonight with a double-double. However, how many times do we see him fumble the ball down low or stumble to the ground? Just improve a little on these two things and you are a much better pro candidate. Let's do this!