By Joe Becker

Only one team will finish the season winning it's final game...and that will be the National Champion. Everyone else, no matter how great the season was, will be left somewhat dissapointed.

It was truly a special season for the Ducks. They won 29 games, tying the 1939 Tall Firs for second most in school history, and reached the elite 8 for the second time in six seasons. They beat every team seeded higher than them. They didn't gag or choke under the pressure. They lost to the defending National Champs...a Florida team that may go back-to-back as Champions, one of the rarest feats in Sports.

It was a weekend I will never forget. As many of you know...I grew up in St. Louis so that made it even more special. It was the first time in close to 30 years I had covered a sporting event in my hometown.

As usual, I worked with the "ACE", Brian Warner, our Sports Photographer at KGW-TV. Brian is an amazing Photographer and a blast to hang out and work with. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Union Station. Union station was designed in 1894 and was once the largest and busiest railroad terminal in the world. It's now a hotel and mall.

It was Brian's first time in St. Louis, but I made sure we went to White Castle...twice. I had four hamburgers and six cheeseburgers. They are small at White Castle, in fact, the hamburgers cost 47 cents. Looks good on the expense report.

We also went to Ted Drewes frozen custard. It's a St. Louis tradition that goes back close to 80 years. We did a spot on Ted Drewes on TV on Saturday in between games. It's located on historic Route 66. When we got there...there were several lines and dozens of people waiting. One regular said "This isn't even crowded...you should see it at night."
They served Ted Drewes to the media at the Edward Jones Dome during the four days we were there. Good stuff.

The weather couldn't have been better. It was about 65 to 75 degrees everyday we were there...and was in the 80's on Sunday.

This Ducks team was fun to watch...and fun to cover. It was a good group of guys...and they were very good with the media. A funny moment happened after the Ducks win over UNLV on Friday. Freshman guard Tajuan Porter made headlines with 8 three pointers and 33 points. When he had finished on court interviews...he was running back to the locker room and almost ran through the wrong tunnel he was so excited. Brian had a great shot of it...and we ran it Saturday night during the 5pm sports.

Porter almost ran the wrong way...but this Ducks team ran the right way all season. They played hard, they played well and gave everything they had. Missouri is known as the show me state...and the Ducks showed, not just Missouri, but the rest of the country, what they are made of.

Posted by Joe Becker at 1:01 PM | Permalink

From the response we got while covering the Regionals in Spokane....the live blogging during the NCAA tourney, for the most part, worked out well.
Joe Becker is at the Sweet 16 in his hometown of St. Louis....and brought the laptop with him.....but he has a computer that seems to have a mind of his own.
He is going to attempt it tomorrow as the Ducks prepare for the defending champion Florida Gators.
As for the Ducks....who's doubting them now??? I'm telling you, when they hit their 3's....they can beat anyone in the country--Florida included.
Sunday is gonna be fun....here's hoping Joe's laptop "softens up" to him.
Tip-off Sunday is at 11:40 PST. We'll have extensive coverage on the Ducks later that night....as we take Sports Sunday on the road.

Posted by at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

...the Ducks are on their way to the Sweet 16.
Oregon has their largest lead of the day at 18 points with just over 4 minutes to play.
Time for me to exit stage right.....and get my stories started for the newscast tonight.
We will have a ton of coverage from Spokane throughout the night.....including extensive coverage on Sports Sunday.
Tune in then.....the Ducks dance continues on!!!
Now up 19 with 3:24 left.
See you on the tube!

Posted by at 1:38 PM | Permalink

now at 15 points. Although they are 8 minutes to play, the Ducks look like they can punch their ticket to the Gateway City. I believe that's what St. Louis is called!
McCullough just posterized Brooks on a serious tomahawk throwdown. That's Winthrop's only highlight of the second half. The Ducks lead 59-44 with just a shade under 8 minutes to play.
Brooks has 20...as the Ducks have connected on 11 of 21 from beyond the arc.
They live and die by the 3.....and they are living well right now.

Posted by at 1:25 PM | Permalink

Oregon's trio of guards (sometimes quartet) are bringing it....none moreso than Porter who has hit three deep shots....and has 11 of his 14 in the opening 5 minutes.
The Ducks now lead the Eagles by 11 on the strenth of Porter and Leunen.
It's 48-37 with 15 minutes to play.....
Can they keep on keepin' on?? St. Louis is in their sights...and they are playing like they want to be there!!

Posted by at 1:06 PM | Permalink

Oregon is getting production from the pint-sized Tajuan Porter.....who just hit back-to-back 3's. Actually the later of the two is being reviewed now.
Nonetheless, the Ducks appear to be firing on all cylinders. Defensively, they are pressuring Winthrop...and they are knocking down from the perimeter.
Porter's foot was on line.....so Ducks lead 38-31.

Posted by at 12:57 PM | Permalink

...until DeAndre Adams hits a runner in the lane at the first half buzzer.
Oregon is disrupting Winthrop on the defensive end....causing the eagles to fumble it away on numerous trips at the tail end of the half.
Here at halftime...the Ducks lead it by 4...33-29.
If the Ducks can maintain the same intensity....and not force up shots they should be in good business. The old cliche holds true...this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Duck fans seem to be getting into it a little now....unlike the Miami U. game.
Thought you'd find this to be a little interesting. A bunch of us from KGW were at Jack and Dan's--a local watering hole up on the Gonzaga campus last night. And who was there sporting a Univ. of Texas hat? Zags Head Coach Mark Few!! He was wearing it the whole time....we got a pic of it. Could you imagine if it was an Oregon hat? Boy would that stir up talking about his interest in the Ducks!!

Dance teams have taken the floor here at the half.....and it's Oregon in a runaway.
2nd half just about 10 minutes away....

Posted by at 12:35 PM | Permalink

The Ducks are getting hot....while the Golden Eagles are having a little cold spell.
Aaron Brooks is keeping Oregon in this.....they lead 29-27. AB has game high 14.
Hairston scores inside....Oregon up 4.

Posted by at 12:31 PM | Permalink

The Golden Eagles are amidst a 6-oh run....thanks to a Taj McCullough jam.
Winthrop has the momentum and the attitude....they also lead it 23-17 right now with just over 7 minutes to play...
Hairston 3 just cut Oregon's deficit to 3......strap yourselves in for this track meet.

Posted by at 12:15 PM | Permalink

Thus far, it's exactly what we thought coming in.
Both teams want to run....and both teams have shooters.
The Duck band is playing "Hip to be Square"....and we are just that at the 10:57 mark of the first half.
Oregon and Winthrop tied at 17.
More as it develops....

Posted by at 12:07 PM | Permalink

I back-up my previous blog with the first 3.5 minutes of the first half.
Defensively, this Winthrop team is impressive....and fast. Leunen just picked up his first foul of the day. The Golden Eagles have the adrenaline pumping right now as they lead it 6-4 early. I'm still concerned about the focus that Oregon has. They know Winthrop's story pretty well....now they are seeing it.

Posted by at 11:54 AM | Permalink

We are about 2.5 hours from tip-off over at the Spokane Arena....and, the more I think about it, I'm really not too hot on Oregon's chances today. It's a feeling that I've had for the past 24 hours or so. Winthrop is the 11-seed....with it's only losses this season coming to tournament teams N.Carolina, Maryland, Texas A&M, and Wisconsin. Those are a 1, 2, 3 and 4 seed (not in that order).
Ironically, as I'm typing this, Clark Kellogg and Seth Davis just said they like Winthrop today too.

I thought that Oregon was mentally focused before the Miami U game. They admitted their were butterflies, but were able to still post the win. With the Golden Eagles, I'm convinced that they are the team of destiny--at least here in Spokane. I see them advancing today....in a contest that could be decided at the free-throw line.
Craig Bradshaw is gonna be load for the Ducks. And that could spell foul trouble for Maarty Leunen...who is a decent defender. But the 6-10 Kiwi is as athletic a player in this tourney. I believe Maarty is going to be in over his head. I certainly hope I'm wrong....because I like what the Ducks have been able to do just to get here.

I'll fire up the "blog machine" once again just before tip-off and keep you posted throughout the contest. Off to the arena I go.....GO DUCKS!

Posted by at 10:15 AM | Permalink

No, Allen Iverson isn't here....but the Oregon Ducks are about two hours away from their most crucial practice of the season. We just arrived to the Spokane Arena, where it is very quiet. Understandable, given that there are no games here today.
Tomorrow's opponent (Winthrop) is on the floor now....which is closed to the public and media. However, I did just take a peek in there.....and the Golden Eagles are as serious as ever. Don't be shocked if this game is as close as yesterday's versus Miami, OH. Oregon needs to get out and run....that is their bread and butter.

A couple observations on Winthrop...they are slowly becoming a mid-major power.
They held off Notre Dame yesterday for their first tournament victory.....and, in the process, won their 19th consecutive game.
A key for the Ducks is trying to contain Craig Bradshaw. He's a very athletic center who put up 24 on the Irish. He's a force down low for Winthrop....and the Ducks must be able to control him. The key for Oregon is to have tough interior defense.....that's where this game will be won or lost.

We will be speaking to both teams very shortly....I'll have a story coming up on tonight's 5:00 & 6:30 newscasts. Tune in then.....

Posted by at 12:58 PM | Permalink

Here comes Ducks junior Bryce Taylor....two big 3's has the Ducks up 54-46.
Taylor--as you may recall--made all 11 of his shots in their last game vs. USC.
Just under 4 minutes to play....timeout on the floor.....Ducks lead it by 8.

Posted by at 3:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ernie Kent is using a 7-man rotation...so his guys may seem a little spent right now.
Adam Zahn has come in to put a body on the Pollitz twins....and he quickly picked up 3 fouls. However, it's working....as the Ducks have stretched their lead to 8 with 7:37 to play.
Side note: Nobody can seem to keep their eyes off the Duck cheerleaders. I will agree, they are very easy on the eyes. :)

Posted by at 3:24 PM | Permalink

Basketball is a game of runs....but Miami doesn't want to go away anytime soon.
Oregon leads 44-38 with 10:15 left in the game. The fans are just now starting to get into it with the Duck band playing the school fight song -- Mighty Oregon.
Strap yourselves in....this could be a down to the wire. Doug Penno looks rested too--but let's not go there right now.
More later...

Posted by at 3:17 PM | Permalink

We have reached halftime here in Spokane....as the Ducks lead it 25-22.
Oregon seemed to relax a little after their massive 20-0 run....and the Redhawks capitalized thanks to Micheal Bramos' hot hand from outside. He hit three of 'em from beyond the arc.
The Ducks must bring the energy back on the defensive end....I thought they got a little soft and less aggressive. A very important half of basketball looms ahead. Good energy in this arena...that's to be sure.

Posted by at 2:42 PM | Permalink

I said a game of runs....the Ducks are on a 17-nothing run....courtesy of a monster jam by the pride of Redmond, Maarty Leunen. Malik Hairston just tacked on a free-throw...18-oh run....and yes, the Ducks are in serious rythym now. It is on!! Bryyce Taylor just scored....Oregon looks to be picking up where they left off in the Pac-10 tourney.

Posted by at 2:19 PM | Permalink

Miami starts on a 9-0 run....and now it's Oregon's turn.
Aaron Brooks is getting into the groove.....having scored last 5 points. The later coming on a nice pull up jumper. A new game all over again. By the way...Winthrops head coach is sitting right in front of me. He's the star of press row!
More later....

Posted by at 2:10 PM | Permalink

The Ducks cheerleaders run out onto floor during timeout....only to see representitive from NCAA run like a mad woman out onto floor screaming "NO, OREGON....NO".
They had to scramble back....it wasn't their turn! Classic....one of those "had to be there moments".
Just mentioned on PA that Tennessee put up 121 points on Long Beach State....WOW!

Posted by at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

...aren't matching the intensity whatsoever that Miami, OH is. I guess there is something to say for seeing an opponent first. The Ducks trail early, 9-zip....and have yet to find a rythym anywhere on the floor. Good thing is....there is 17:34 left in opening half!

Posted by at 1:59 PM | Permalink

It's over...and Winthrop is into the second round. A thrilling last 2 minutes provided of excitement.....but the Irish fold under the fast-paced Eagles, 74-64.
Barely 60 seconds had passed....and the Oregon Ducks were taking the floor.
New AD Pat Kilkenny is in the house....seated right alongside Phil Knightj--shocking revelation, I know. When the Ducks came out...they were greeted by cheers and boo's....don't know what that's all about. I'll investigate though. 18 minutes and counting before the Ducks and Miami Redhawks get going. The wait is nearly over!!!! Go Ducks!

Posted by at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It appears the "luck of the Irish" has run out. The Golden Eagles are up by 14 with 9:33 left....and are on their way to their 19th consecutive victory. A strong contingent of Duck fans are already in the house here in Spokane ready for the days second game.

A couple observations on Winthrop....they are fast and aggressive. It's a style that is similar to Oregon's....plus, they also play well on the defensive end.

Posted by at 12:58 PM | Permalink

Spokane....we're here! That's the vibe the Oregon Ducks are silently chanting.
My photographer (you know him as Brian "The Ace" Warner) and I drove the nearly 6 hours to get to the capital of the Inland Empire. Peaceful drive really. And, it happened to be my first trip back through my old stomping grounds in the Tri-Cities.

Geographically speaking....the Ducks are the closest of the 8 teams in the Midwest Regional. Today, (Thursday) was a psuedo combo of practice and media availability.
The Ducks were loose....but carried a certain swagger about them when they entered the arena. That's a good sign!! They are confident, yet very humble about being here. As Tajuan Porter told me....they are here on business. Spokane isn't really a city where you can lose focus (you hearing me UofO football players?). Oregon seems like this is their Regional to lose....and I couldn't agree more. You always want to guard against a letdown....especially the Ducks who are flying as high as anyone in college hoops right now.
Oh, I wanted to mention one other observation!! The NCAA tourney is BIG...and, mark my words, ONLY GET BIGGER!!
The media contingent here is incredible. Sure, I see everyone from Portland/Eugene....but every TV market is here. ESPN anchors, FSN reporters are in the house too! It's a real life "Who's Who?"

Since I'm relatively new to the world of "blogging".....I'm going to attempt to send new entries during the Ducks run through Spokane. Tune in during the Oregon-Miami game for updates....tip-off at around 2 pm PST Friday. Talk to you then...

Adam Bjaranson

Posted by at 7:56 PM | Permalink