Another Season Down

David R.

February 27, 2011 - 6:30 PM

Senior Day 2011 didn't have the ending that Duck fans were hoping for, but I enjoyed watching the seniors play their last game in Oregon uniforms. Stanford played a heck of game and took a much needed win for itself as it too is trying to make a charge as conference play comes to an end. College basketball has been pretty surprising lately. Yesterday number five-ranked Texas lost its second game in a row to the Buffaloes of Colorado. The Buffs weren't really expected to do much this season, but now they have made their way into conversations for a potential March Madness birth. My former high school team mate Levi Knutson put up 21 to help the Buffs to a huge upset.

Tournament time is one of the most entertaining times of the year. It is always such a challenge making a bracket and everyone always goes into March thinking "This is the year my bracket is perfect." Unfortunately nearly everyone is always wrong and kicks themselves over the picks they knew they should have made. This year Denver will be a host city for the second and third rounds, and I can only imagine how fun it would be to attend a game at the Pepsi Center. With number one Duke falling to Virginia Tech yesterday I can only imagine how potentially shocking this year's tourney could be.

Although the Ducks haven't been to the big dance in a while, this season was a huge success for our program. While the season isn't over yet, the Ducks have already accomplished more than anyone expected, and I can't wait to see what our new Head Coach Dana Altman can put together in the coming years. Our two speedy point guards Jonathan Loyd and Malcolm Armstead will be returning next season and should provide the team with some veteran leadership. It has been a blast to be able to experience Matthew Knight Arena in its inaugural season, and the intensified game atmosphere has given the Ducks a new and improved sense of home court advantage. The mission that began during the spring term of my freshman year finally became a reality and it was worth the wait. The physical demolition that started outside my dorm room way too early in the morning was annoying at times, but it was one step in the process that presented the University of Oregon with another magnificent trademark.

Now that the men's basketball season is officially over for the athletic department this season, spring sports are already in full swing. Today the Oregon baseball team took a series against Saint Marys while the women's lacrosse team took on The University of Jacksonville. I attended the lacrosse game in the freezing wind and actually received the first women's lacrosse action of my UO career. It was a great game and the ladies had no problem getting past the Dolphins. There was a good crowd on hand and I at least had the comfort of a booth to stand in. I'm excited to catch another round of Ducks baseball, and maybe this is the year we can finally make the push to the College World Series.