Andrew Pace
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team has had a rich history in the sport, winning the inaugural NCAA tournament in 1939 and reaching the Final Four in 2017. The Ducks play their home games at the Matthew Knight Arena, which has a capacity of 12,364. The team has had varying rankings over the years, with some considering them to be disrespected in the basketball rankings. In the 2024-25 preseason rankings, the Ducks were ranked 21st by College Sports Wire and 26th by Andy Katz. The Ducks have also faced criticism and uncertainty due to the loss of some of their best players. Despite this, the Ducks have had notable wins and a strong following, with some students creating an intimidating environment for opposing teams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Oregon Ducks |
| Team Sport | Basketball |
| Team Type | Men's basketball team |
| Ranking | Ranked 21st in College Sports Wire's preseason Top 25 rankings |
| Ranking | Ranked 26th by Andy Katz for the 2024-25 season |
| Ranking | Ranked 35th in the AP poll |
| Ranking | Ranked 53rd by KenPom |
| Home Games | Matthew Knight Arena |
| Arena Capacity | 12,364 |
| Coach | Dana Altman |
| Players | Jackson Shelstad, Kwame Evans, Mookie Cook |
| Past Achievements |
|
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What You'll Learn
Oregon Ducks men's basketball team history
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team has a long and storied history, dating back to its first season in 1902-03. The team, representing the University of Oregon, plays in the NCAA Division I and is a member of the Big Ten Conference.
The Ducks have had some notable successes throughout their history, including winning the inaugural NCAA tournament in 1939, claiming the National Championship against Ohio State. They were nicknamed "The Tall Firs" by sports editor L.H. Gregory due to their taller stature compared to other teams. The Ducks again reached the Final Four in 2017, marking the longest span between appearances in NCAA history at 78 years. They have made the NCAA tournament 19 times and have won eight conference championships.
The 2015-16 season was particularly noteworthy, with the Ducks winning the Pac-12 Conference Tournament and becoming the top seed in the West Regional of the NCAA tournament. They advanced to the Elite 8, defeating the defending national champion Duke Blue Devils along the way. The following year, they were Pac-12 conference co-champions and made it to the Final Four again, losing to North Carolina by just one point.
The Ducks play their home games at Matthew Knight Arena, which opened in 2011 and has a capacity of 12,364. The arena is known for its intimidating atmosphere, with a group of students known as the "Pit Crew" creating hostile environments for opposing teams.
In terms of rankings, the Ducks have experienced both highs and lows. In 2024, they were ranked 21st in College Sports Wire's preseason Top 25 rankings but did not feature in the preseason AP Poll. As of January 2024, they were ranked 35th in the AP poll and were atop the Pac-12 with 13 wins, but some felt they were still being underrated.
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Ducks' ranking in the Pac-12
The Oregon Ducks are a successful basketball team with a rich history. They won the inaugural NCAA tournament in 1939, winning the National Championship against Ohio State. The Ducks have made the NCAA tournament 19 times, and have won eight conference championships.
In terms of their ranking in the Pac-12, the Ducks have had a strong showing in recent years. In the 2015-16 season, they won the Pac-12 Conference Tournament, which led to them being the top seed in the West Regional of the 2015-16 NCAA tournament. They advanced to the Elite 8, where they defeated the defending national champion Duke Blue Devils, 82-68. The following year, they were Pac-12 conference co-champions with Arizona and made it to the Final Four, losing to North Carolina by just one point.
More recently, in 2023, the Ducks were ranked 21st in College Sports Wire's preseason Top 25 rankings. They were not featured in the preseason AP Poll, likely due to the loss of their two biggest contributors in 2022: N'Faly Dante and Jermaine Couisnard. However, their young core, led by point guard Jackson Shelstad, is expected to make them a strong contender in the Big Ten Conference.
In January 2024, the Ducks were atop the Pac-12 rankings in basketball, with 13 wins and an unbeaten record in the conference. However, some have criticised their weak schedule and lack of quality wins, which may have contributed to their lower ranking in the AP poll, where they were ranked 35th.
Overall, the Oregon Ducks have had a successful basketball program, with a history of strong performances in the Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments. While their rankings may fluctuate, they are consistently considered a top-tier team in the competitive landscape of college basketball.
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Ducks' performance in the NCAA tournament
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team has had a rich history in the NCAA Tournament, with 19 appearances and a record of 28-18. The Ducks won the inaugural NCAA Tournament in 1939, claiming the first-ever national championship trophy by defeating Ohio State 46-33. This triumph was achieved under the leadership of head coach Howard Hobson, who steered the team to success in the NCAA's early years.
In the decades that followed, the Ducks experienced a mix of highs and lows, with more down years than up. From 1947 until 1970, Oregon made only two NCAA Tournament appearances in 1960 and 1961, under head coach Steve Belko. The Ducks then had to wait until 1995 for their next NCAA Tournament appearance, with head coach Jerry Green at the helm. Despite these sporadic appearances, the Ducks struggled to replicate their initial success for a long period.
The Ducks returned to prominence in the 2012-13 season, reaching the Sweet 16 under head coach Dana Altman. They continued their momentum in the 2013-14 season, making it back to the NCAA Tournament and defeating BYU before falling to Wisconsin in the round of 32. The 2015-16 season was a standout campaign, as the Ducks secured the top seed in the West Regional of the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Elite 8, showcasing their resurgence.
The 2016-17 season was historic for the Ducks, as they reached the Final Four, an achievement that marked the longest span between appearances in NCAA history (78 years). This feat demonstrated the Ducks' resilience and determination to reclaim their glory days. The Ducks' most recent success came in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, where they defeated South Carolina 87-73 in the first round, propelled by a remarkable 40-point performance from Jermaine Couisnard. The Ducks were also ranked 21st in the preseason rankings for the 2024-2025 season, indicating their continued competitiveness.
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Ducks' home games and arenas
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team plays its home games at the Matthew Knight Arena, which has a capacity of 12,364. The arena, which opened on 13 January 2011, is named after Phil Knight's son Matthew, who drowned in a scuba diving accident in 2004. The Ducks defeated the University of Southern California 68-62 in their first game at the arena.
The team's first home was McArthur Court, which was constructed in 1926 and hosted its first Oregon basketball game on 14 January 1927, with the Ducks defeating Willamette University 38-10. The Ducks played their home games at McArthur Court until 2009 when the university broke ground on a new basketball arena. The new arena, which replaced McArthur Court, was designed by TVA Architects and cost $227 million.
The Ducks' home arena is known for its intimidating atmosphere, with a group of students known as the "Pit Crew" creating hostile environments for opposing teams. The arena is considered the front door to the university due to its high-profile location near the majority of vehicular traffic entering the university.
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Ducks' ranking in College Sports Wire's Top 25
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team has a long history of competing in the NCAA Division I. The Ducks have made the NCAA tournament 19 times, with their first NCAA tournament win in 1939, and their most recent in 2017.
In terms of their ranking in College Sports Wire's Top 25, the Ducks were ranked 21st in the preseason rankings for the 2024-25 season. This ranking took into account the losses of two of their biggest players, N'Faly Dante and Jermaine Couisnard. However, College Sports Wire's Andy Patton highlighted the potential of their young core, led by point guard Jackson Shelstad, and the possibility of strong performances by KJ Evans and Mookie Cook.
The Ducks' performance in the 2024-25 season remains to be seen, with some speculating that they will face challenges due to the departure of key players. Despite these uncertainties, there is also a sense of early hype and high expectations surrounding the team. Andy Katz, for instance, ranked the Ducks 26th in his 'way-too-early' rankings of the top 36 teams in the nation for the same season.
While the Ducks did not feature in the preseason AP Poll, their performance in the Pac-12 Conference has been notable. They were the only team with 13 wins and remained unbeaten in the conference at one point. However, their overall record includes some losses to teams like Syracuse, Santa Clara, and Alabama.
The Ducks play their home games at the Matthew Knight Arena, which has a capacity of 12,364 and is known for its intimidating atmosphere, especially during the team's early years in the Pac-10.
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Frequently asked questions
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team has been ranked 21st in College Sports Wire's preseason Top 25 rankings. They were also ranked 26th in the nation in Andy Katz's 'way-too-early' rankings for the 2024-25 season.
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team is an intercollegiate basketball program that competes in the NCAA Division I and is a member of the Big Ten Conference. They have made the NCAA tournament 19 times, winning the inaugural tournament in 1939 and reaching the Final Four in 2017. The Ducks play their home games at Matthew Knight Arena, which has a capacity of 12,364.
The Ducks won the 2015-16 Pac-12 Conference Tournament, which led to them being the top seed in the West Regional of the 2015-16 NCAA tournament. They advanced to the Elite 8, defeating the defending national champion Duke Blue Devils. The following year, they advanced to the Final Four, losing to North Carolina by one point.
