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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 1974)
Whatever happened to Kamikaze Kids? COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — It was sup posed to be a laugher. The Oregon basketball squad traveled to Colorado Springs last Friday night to play the Air Force Academy during a two-week respite from the Pac-« wars. Instead of breezing through Air-Force as the seers predicted, the Falcons enjoyed the last laugh in the form of a 76-66 upset victory over the Ducks. Not only were the Ducks soundly beaten, they were outhustled, out rebounded and outmuscled throughout the game. The aforementioned were former traits of the Oregon basketball program which had carried them to a perfect 4-0 record in Pac-8 play and a share of first place with UCLA, who joined the ranks of mortals in their upset loss to Notre Dame Saturday. Coach Dick Harter didn’t take his squad’s sorry performance lightly. ‘"Diere was no excuse for it,” said a disappointed Harter. ‘‘We didn’t hustle. There was no defense out there except for four to five minutes in the first half. We didn’t execute, there was no leadership, and we got no play out of anybody tonight.” Although it was a flat performance for the Ducks, now sporting 10-5 won-loss record overall, they still had their chances to escape Cadet Field House with a victory. Two shooting slumps, on in each half, sealed the Ducks’ doom. The first one occurred with the Falcons behind 37-30 late in the first half. The Ducks went on a three-minute scoring drought while Air Force retaliated with a 11-point scoring binge towards making 43-39 halftime score. The second non-scoring spree was more disastrous. With Oregon making their bid late in the game with 10 minutes remaining, the Falcons ripped off another 11 points and the Dudes broke down offensively for nearly six minutes. Air Force’s 14-point lead at 66-52 was too much to make up in the limited time left. It was a game the Ducks would soon like to forget. The Falcons garnered 18 more rebounds, 42 24, without a player on the floor over 6-5. Rick Nichelson, who happens to be that 6-5 center, pulled in nine rebounds and sewed 15 points. Air Force’s Dan Kraft was the main gun, sewing 22 points. The key to the game lay in the free throw situation, however. Although the Ducks sewed four more field goals than Air Force, the Falcons con nected on 22-29 free throw attempts, while Oregon only received eight chances from the free throw line, making four of them. “Air Force outhustled us to the ball and we fouled them,” said Harter. “It was a lack of effort; we didn’t block out and we didn’t do it.” Gerald Willett, who was a question mark betore the game after missing a week of practice due to injury, kept the Ducks looking respectable through a major portion of the game. The 6-8 center, who usually has to look up to his opposite match-up at center, obviously enjoyed bong the tallest man out on the floor in scoring 18 points on nine of 12 shots. Greg Ballard, who is leading the Pac-8 in reboun ding, was held to a scant four rebounds. It was that kind of night. Ron Lee made only one third of his shots in scoring 12 paints, mishandled the ball with six turnovers, and allowed his man Dan Kraft to lead all scorers with his 22 points. After the weekend sweep against the Washington schools last weekend, Harter gave his players an uncharacteristic two off days from practice, but that will soon be a forgotten luxury in the wake of the Air Force loss. Harter has indicated that he will “increase the work load considerably” for the Ducks return to Pac-8 ball against Oregon State, Saturday. And that will mean tougher and more demanding practices in preparation for the OSU encounter. It was just after a series of practices following the Far West debacle last month that Oregon started clicking in Pac-8 play. With considerable work during the practice sessions with the coming week, the Ducks should ably defend their share of first place. No one can take that away from them — yet. recycle this paper! conserve energy read the ODE during daylight SCHUSS SKI CLUB ATTENTION MEMBERS AND INTERESTED PERSbNS MEETING AT THUNDERBIRD MOTEL JAN. 29th AT 7:30 PM WILL DISCUSS TRIPS TO f BACHELOR, CRYSTAL MTf LAKE TAHOE AND { OTHER TRIPS AND BUSINESS OF THE CLUB 344 3035 For Information Call 344-3030 277 Coburg Wood SGNUSS SKI CLUB OPEN TO MEMBERSHIP Phone 344-3030 or 344-3035 Mt. BACHELOR Starts Jan. 12th +2 days, 1 night, Saturday and Sunday + Includes: Bus, Motel (Shared), two Lift Tickets, Shuttle, Saturday Night Fondue Party, Free Breakfast Sunday Timberline Mt. Hood Meadows Feb. 1, 2, 3 See U of O vs. OSU Basketball at Portland Then Ski Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows Includes: Basketball Tickets, Bus, Motel (Shared), 2 Lift Tickets Feb. 16, 17, 18 Includes: Bus, Motel (Shared), 3 Lift Tickets, SKI TAHOE TOUR 5 days and 4 nights. Mar. 15th to 20th Includes: Bus. Shuttle. Motel (shared). 5 Lift Tickets for Heavenly Valley. Kirkwood. Incline. North Star & Alpine We also have a bus to BACHELOR every Saturday which includes an After-Ski Fondue Party and Live Entertainment at the Castle Keep and Red Toe Lounges, and a bus every Sunday to HOODOO SKI BOWL. CALL 344-3030 or 344-3035 FOR
