
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team has had its fair share of wins and losses over the years. The team played its first season in 1902-03, losing both games played that season. However, in 1939, the Ducks became the first team to win the NCAA Basketball Championship, defeating Ohio State. Since then, the Ducks have appeared in 19 NCAA tournaments and have had several notable wins and losses, including a recent victory over Willamette University in their new arena, Matthew Knight Arena.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Season | 1902-03 |
| First Coach | Charles Burden |
| First Win | 1907 vs. Roseburg |
| First Home Arena | McArthur Court |
| First Game in McArthur Court | 14 January 1927 vs. Willamette University |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 19 |
| NCAA Tournament Record | 28-18 |
| National Championships | 1 |
| National Invitation Tournament Appearances | 13 |
| National Invitation Tournament Record | 17-13 |
| College Basketball Invitational Appearances | 1 |
| College Basketball Invitational Record | 5-1 |
| Recent Performance | Lost to Arizona in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament |
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What You'll Learn

Oregon Ducks: the team's history and wins
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team played its first season in 1902–03 with Charles Burden as the head coach. The team lost both games that season against Corvallis State Agricultural College, now known as Oregon State. Oregon's first win came in its fourth season in 1907 against Roseburg, ending the season with a winning record of 4–3 under Hugo Bezdek. Bezdek left after that season and during his absence, the team was coached by William Hayward, Oregon's track coach. In 1923, William Reinhart took over as head coach and remained in that position until 1935, suffering only one losing season.
Howard Hobson, a University alumnus, became the head coach in 1935. His ideas were considered cutting-edge, and he ran a fast-break offense with an unorthodox hybrid defence. In 1939, the Oregon Ducks became the first team to win the NCAA Basketball Championship, defeating Ohio State. Sports editor L. H. Gregory coined the phrase "Tall Firs" to describe the Oregon players due to their taller stature compared to other teams in the country.
The Ducks have appeared in 19 NCAA tournaments, with a combined record of 28–18. They have also appeared in 13 National Invitation Tournaments, with a combined record of 17–13. In addition, they have appeared in one College Basketball Invitational, winning the championship in 2011 with a record of 5–1.
The 2015–16 season was particularly noteworthy for the Ducks. They won the 2015–16 Pac-12 Conference Tournament, which led to them being the top seed in the West Regional of the 2015–2016 NCAA tournament. They advanced to the Elite 8, defeating the defending national champion Duke Blue Devils 82–68. In the following year's NCAA Tournament, the Ducks advanced to the Final Four but lost to North Carolina by one point.
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Oregon Ducks vs Arizona Wildcats: NCAA Tournament 2025
The Oregon Ducks and Arizona Wildcats are two of the most well-known college basketball teams. The Ducks, representing the University of Oregon, have had their fair share of success, including a historic first NCAA national championship victory. On the other hand, the Wildcats, representing the University of Arizona, have also left their mark on college basketball, with multiple tournament appearances and championship wins.
The Arizona Wildcats, on the other hand, are no strangers to success either. In the 2021-22 season, the Wildcats went undefeated on their home court, showcasing their dominance. They also clinched the top seed in the 2022 Pac-12 tournament, showcasing their strength in the conference. In the 2022 NCAA Tournament, they reached the Sweet 16, a testament to their ability to perform on the big stage.
The 2025 NCAA Tournament will be a battle of wills and skills for both teams. The Ducks, with their determination and past achievements, will strive to recreate their championship glory. The Wildcats, boasting a strong home-court advantage and recent tournament success, will be eager to go further than the Sweet 16 and claim the ultimate prize.
As the tournament unfolds, fans can expect thrilling matchups, intense competition, and the showcase of exceptional talent from both teams. The road to the championship will be challenging, but the Ducks and Wildcats will undoubtedly give it their all, leaving everything on the court in their quest for NCAA Tournament glory.
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Oregon's first basketball season in 1902-03
The University of Oregon men's basketball team, also known as the Oregon Ducks, played their first season in 1902-03. Charles Burden was the head coach, and the team played only two games that season, both against Corvallis State Agricultural College, now known as Oregon State. Oregon lost both games, the first one 32-2 away, and the second 24-22 at home. The team did not record a win until its fourth season in 1907 against Roseburg.
The 1902-03 collegiate men's basketball season in the United States began in December 1902 and concluded in March 1903. The Western Conference, the future Big Ten Conference, did not sponsor an official conference season or recognize a regular-season champion until the 1905-06 season. However, a few intramural games took place within the conference during the 1902-03 season.
Following their inaugural season, the Oregon Ducks men's basketball team went on to have a long and illustrious history. Hugo Bezdek, who also coached the football team, led the Ducks to a winning record of 4-3 in their fourth season. The team continued to improve, and in 1923, William Reinhart took over as head coach, remaining in that position until 1935. During his tenure, the team experienced consistent success, with only one losing season.
The Ducks' most notable achievement came in 1939 when they became the first team to win the NCAA Basketball Championship. Their success continued, and they have appeared in 19 NCAA tournaments, with a combined record of 28-18. The Ducks have also appeared in 13 National Invitation Tournaments and one College Basketball Invitational, winning the championship in 2011.
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Howard Hobson: Oregon's head coach in 1935
Howard Andrew "Hobby" Hobson, a basketball pioneer and innovator, was Oregon's head coach in 1935. He was hired by his alma mater, the University of Oregon, in 1935 to coach both basketball and baseball. He led the Webfoot basketball team to unprecedented heights, keeping binders of statistics to track field goal percentages, rebounds, steals, and other data that informed how games were won or lost. He also pioneered a defence known as the "match-up zone", which confused opposing coaches and players because it appeared as if the players were playing one style of defence but quickly shifted to match an offensive move.
Hobson's ideas were considered cutting-edge during his years at Oregon, and he was well ahead of his time. He ran a fast-break offence that was rarely used by anyone else in the country at the time, and his defences were an unorthodox hybrid. He lobbied for the installation of a shot clock and three-point field goal years before they were first introduced. In addition to his coaching duties, Hobson also played basketball for the University of Oregon and was the captain of the team that won the 1926 northern division basketball championship.
Under Hobson's leadership, the Oregon Ducks became the first team to win the NCAA Basketball Championship in 1939. The team was known as the "'Tall Firs", because of their taller stature compared to other teams in the country. The players averaged about six feet in height, which was considered very tall for a basketball player at the time. Hobson also pioneered intersectional play at Oregon, making the Ducks the first Western team to travel East for games. He scheduled games on the East coast, making Oregon the first West Coast team to travel cross-country to play.
Hobson's overall record for 27 years as a coach was 495-291. In addition to his success at Oregon, he also found success as a coach at high schools, small colleges, and universities. He served on the NCAA Rules Committee and the U.S. Olympic Basketball Committee. His legacy as a basketball strategist and innovator was recognised in 1965 when he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.
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Oregon Ducks' home games: McArthur Court and Matthew Knight Arena
The Oregon Ducks men's and women's basketball teams have called two arenas home over the years: McArthur Court and, since 2011, Matthew Knight Arena.
McArthur Court
McArthur Court, also known as "The Pit" or "Mac Court," was the home of the Oregon Ducks basketball teams until 2011. The arena is located on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene and was known as one of the most hostile arenas in the nation for visiting teams. The unique structure of the arena has the fans on top of the court, and the maple floor would bounce under the weight of the student section that surrounded it. In 2001, Sporting News named it the "best gym in America." McArthur Court was built in 1926 and named after Clifton N. "Pat" McArthur, a U.S. Congressman, Oregon student-athlete, and the school's first student body president. The first game was played on January 14, 1927, with the Ducks beating Willamette University 38-10. Over the years, seating capacity was increased, and the arena saw many memorable moments, including upsets over #1 UCLA in the mid-1970s and another in 2007.
Matthew Knight Arena
The Matthew Knight Arena (MKA) is a 12,364-seat, multi-purpose arena in Eugene, Oregon, that replaced McArthur Court as the home of the Oregon Ducks basketball teams in 2011. The arena is located on the east side of the University of Oregon campus and is named after chief donor Phil Knight's son, Matthew Knight, who died in a scuba diving accident at the age of 34. The floor was designed by Tinker Hatfield, Nike's VP of Creative Design, to honour the "Tall Firs," the nickname of the 1938-39 Oregon Ducks men's basketball team, which won the inaugural NCAA basketball championship. The arena also features a massive centre-hung scoreboard, once the largest in college sports, with four HD LED monitors. The projected construction cost of $200 million made Knight Arena the most expensive on-campus basketball arena in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Oregon Ducks became the first team to win the NCAA Basketball Championship in 1939.
The Oregon Ducks won the game with a score of 38-10.
Arizona beat Oregon 87-83 in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.











































