Oregon Ducks Basketball

Dominic Artis is a 5’11", 165-pound point guard from Richmond, California, and he has been tearing it up lately.

Artis may have the best ball handling in the 2012 class, just see for yourself.  With a great step-back jumper and the ability to make tricky passes between multiple defenders, it’s a shame Artis isn’t very well known.

I recently got the chance to do an interview with him and here is how it went:

ZH: What are you working on this summer to become a better player?

DA: I'm working on finishing with contact and also working on shots off the dribble.

ZH: Do you feel that you are underrated?

DA: I do feel underrated, and hope to prove who I am this summer.

ZH: What schools are you considering? Who, if anyone, is at the top of that list?

DA: The schools I am considering are California, Washington St, Stanford, Louisville, Oregon and Washington.

ZH: Who is the best player you have played against?

DA: Haven't really played against someone that's given me problems. But I am looking forward to play Speice so I can go up against Devonte Smith.

ZH: How are the Drew Gooden Soldiers doing so far this season?

DA: So far we are doing well. We have an overall record of 9-1 and have a good chemistry on and off the court.

ZH: Which current or former NBA player would you compare your game to?

DA: I would compare my game to Chris Paul. That's someone I try to portray my game after.

ZH: Do you believe in the East Coast Bias?

DA:  I do. Here on the west coast there's really not that much love shown. A clear example is the last McDonald's All-American game that only had one or two kids that were really from the west coast.

ZH: Who are some players on the West Coast that recruiters should be on the lookout for?

DA: I would say Jamil Brown. He's a real athletic wing that’s here in the bay area that hasn't really got good exposure. 

(For more info on Artis, visit here!)

Nike is one of the most profitable, if not the most profitable, athletic companies in history.

Starting out as a Japanese-funded company, Nike quickly soared to the top of America's clothing and athletic accessories businesses. You are probably even wearing some Nike gear right now.

However, Nike did not begin in Japan. Rather, it began at the University of Oregon, the day Phil Knight arrived on campus.

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Knight was a journalism major and was also on the Oregon track team and won letters in 1957, '58 and '59. He was coached by Bill Bowerman, one of the most iconic track and now business icons in the history of the United States, and developed a close relationship to him during his time in Eugene.

Knight loved everything about the school. Being a Portland native and Duck fan for most of his life, he was passionate about both his sports and school. 

After graduating from the University of Oregon and after some service duty, Knight graduated from Stanford with an MBA and immediately made a huge impact.

Though I could bore you with some more random background details about Knight and Bowerman and how they secured a deal with a Japanese shoe company to market in the United States, the fact of the matter is that they together founded Nike, Inc. and made it one of the most successful companies in history.

Now, one would think that since both Knight and Bowerman, founders of Nike, attended the University of Oregon, it would be okay for Nike to be a large part of the university. I mean, if you look at other schools, such as Auburn, they have certain athletic lines pegged to their name as well (Under Armour).

However, especially over the past few years, many have grown frustrated with just how much Nike is a part of Oregon. They look at the university and see corruption everywhere: new uniforms every four years, a new basketball arena, a new baseball field and a new academic center for athletes.

For every new thing that Phil Knight does in correlation with the University of Oregon, there are more and more people hopping on the "Let's hate Nike and the University of Oregon" bandwagon.

But is all of this hate actually justified beyond school rivalry hatred (I expect a bunch of Husky and Beaver fans to ridicule this article)?

The simple answer to the question posed above is a resounding no.

For one thing, I would like to share a touching story with you about how much Phil Knight really loves the University of Oregon.

Without a doubt in my mind I am sure that all of you have heard of the new Matthew Knight Arena. It is a state-of-the-art, futuristic arena located in Eugene, Oregon that is essentially a Nike building where the University of Oregon now plays its home basketball games.

I was lucky enough to be there for opening night, and boy, were the pregame ceremonies something to witness. While I had seen Phil Knight at the home football games walking the sideline with other Oregon legends, I never fully understood just how much he loved the university he was a part of and still remains a part of until this day.

Before tip-off, Phil Knight took center stage and gave the capacity crowd a heartfelt talk that touched everybody in the arena.

To the chants of the commonly heard phrase, "Uncle Phil, Uncle Phil!", Knight gave the keynote address of the night. Though you may think that most of his speech was about how much the University of Oregon rocked and how crazy this place was going to be, it was not.

Much of his speech was devoted to recognizing how much his family mattered to him and thanking them for being out there on such a special night. From aunts and uncles to his deceased son Matthew Knight, Phil Knight was trying to illustrate just how much his family and university impacted him in becoming the man he is today.

"I hope the main emotion that carries forward is joy." That is a direct excerpt from Knight's speech on opening night, and it illustrates just how much he does not care about the big money this building will bring it, but how much he wants to see people be happy. Yes, winning is a plus, but Knight wants to see people enjoy the fruits of his labor and enjoy an experience that he has been able to enjoy himself, all because of the University of Oregon.

Matthew Knight Arena is not only a place where the University of Oregon men's basketball team will play in many years to come (80, as hoped by Knight), but it is Phil Knight's final and greatest gift to his son as well.

This arena not only encapsulates the appreciation for the University of Oregon that Knight has, but it is also how he wants to remember his son—by giving joy to a community that has given he and his family so much support throughout his entire life.  

Complain all you want about how involved Nike is with the University of Oregon. There really is nothing ethically wrong with it. Knight is only giving back to his alma mater that has provided him with so much.

It is through private donations that Knight has given Oregon so much, not through Nike's money. Just because he has a bigger pocketbook than most anybody in this nation does not mean that he cannot give however much money he wants to the university he was a part of; to do so would be unethical and hypocritical.

I say hypocritical because, while the University of Oregon does receive a lot of money from Phil Knight, who are its other donors? Yes, there are quite a few successful graduates from the U of O, but nowhere near other universities such as Stanford, Washington, USC, Auburn and the top-tier academic schools where their graduates make millions each year. So why the big deal with the University of Oregon?

It is not right to hate a university because it has donors who realize how much the university has given them throughout their lifetimes and want to see their alma mater succeed even more in the future. Phil Knight and Nike have helped Oregon to do this.

For many years, the University of Oregon was the laughingstock of the Pac-10. Year after year us Duck fans had to watch as our teams sat at the bottom of the Pac. However, Phil Knight wanted to change this. He wanted his university to succeed on a national level, and his private donations have helped the U of O achieve top-tier national status not only athletically, but academically as well.

Yes, the University of Oregon gets new uniforms every four years, but that is part of the excitement at the university and part of the tradition now just as much as any other tradition at other schools that draws excitement from around the campus. It is part of a history now that Knight wants to see continue, and so he, through the company he co-founded and currently chairs, makes generous donations to the universities success.

Academically, Knight has greatly helped Oregon as well. He helped to fund their new academic center for athletes, as well as made a large donation to both the library and law school, which is one of the nicest law buildings in the nation. He also makes considerable donations around the Eugene community and Oregon in general in order to give back to something that has given him so much.

Say what you want about how affiliated Oregon and Nike seem to be, but I believe that it is an altruistic contribution by somebody who is proud of where he came from. If you don't believe that had Knight gone somewhere else he would not be doing the same exact thing he is doing right now, you are very confused and need to reassess your point of view.

I am sorry that Knight had to graduate from Oregon and all of you Duck haters have to see his contributions bring Oregon into the national spotlight. It was the university that he chose to go to, and he now just wants to thank the people who let him become who he is today.

Hate all you want—Phil Knight and the University of Oregon, and successively Nike, are a great pairing and will continue to remain that way (without any NCAA violations, I might add) for a very long time.

I grew up in in rural Oregon.  I was born into a baseball-loving household.  The beautiful thing about being from Oregon is that you can choose any baseball or football team as a child and root for them as if they were your own.  No one is bound by geographical loyalties, although basketball brought the obligatory Trail Blazers allegiance. 

Being baseball fans, my family never discussed other sports—only baseball.  My dad chose the Atlanta Braves as his favorite team.  My two older twin brothers chose the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals.  I chose the Detroit Tigers because I got a cool hologram sticker of the Tigers mascot as a child.  There was only one real problem; I just didn't care all that much for baseball. 

Fast forward to 2005.  Something happened that changed my sports watching career (which was non-existent at the time) forever.  I transferred to the University of Oregon.  I fell in love with college football. 

I didn't and don't seem to care as much about the empty emotions of the NFL.  College football struck a chord with me that no other sport ever had.  I also got into college basketball during my time at the University of Oregon.  In 2007, the Ducks made it all the way to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.  I couldn't connect with my family about it, but college football and basketball became my baseball.

Fast forward to present day.  I live in Ann Arbor. The Pac-10 is bad at basketball, and the Oregon Ducks suffered throughout much of this season. 

A curious thing happened, though.  Right around the time the university finished Matthew Knight Arena, the Ducks started winning basketball games.  I was no longer content in just checking the scores after the games.  I wanted to watch the games.  There was only one problem: I didn't get any of the games on my extensive satellite package.  It got worse—I didn't get ANY Pac-10 games on television. 

I decided I would just have to settle for watching the games on the (previously) wonderful espn3.com.  It was then that I realized I was in trouble.  There was not a single Pac-10 game on the massive site.

I wasn't about to give up.  Oregon was about to play UCLA and I was not to be deterred. I called up the biggest and best sports bar I could think of in Ann Arbor: Buffalo Wild Wings.  They have at least 30 televisions.  They had to have the game, right?

The hostess on the phone assured me they had the game and would put it on a TV for me, so I grabbed my girlfriend and headed to Buffalo Wild Wings.  Two orders of wings and a pitcher of beer order later, a manager came out and informed me that he couldn't find the game on their TV plan.  He showed me the game on a massive printed-out schedule, and said that only FOX Sports NW carried the game, and he couldn't get the station in Michigan.  I asked him if he could get any Pac-10 game, and he looked down to his massive list and shook his head.  He felt bad and was a nice guy, and ended up comping my appetizer.  

I sat and ate my wings, drank my beer and watched the Western Kentucky basketball game on display in front of me.  A couple of beers later, I found myself preaching and ranting to my poor, uninterested girlfriend.  Here is (some of) that rant:

Sports—especially college sports—are more than just a battle on a court or a battle on a field.  They're a battle of geography.  They're a battle of cultures.  I feel that Pac-10 fans feel this more than most.  We have less people than the East Coast (two-thirds of the population of the US lives East of the Mississippi River), yet are more spread out.

We have less sports teams, and those teams have less national media exposure.  It is for that reason that I've always argued that Pac-10 fans are likely to have a more diverse knowledge of sports than fans of any other major conference.  I know that all of you SEC/Big East/ACC/Big Ten/Big 12 fans must disagree, but it makes sense.

A big reason Pac-10 fans are more likely to know more about other teams than vice versa is due to time zone differences.  Pac-10 games come on much later.  If you want to watch a Pac-10 basketball game (hypothetically since it seems to be impossible), you would have to stay up until well after midnight, as tip-off times are typically around 10:30 PM.  No one is at fault for this, but it adds to the trend.

Television networks show SEC football games more than any other conference.  I'm not going to say whether that's good or bad, but it's true.  The consequence for college football fans across America?  We're more likely to watch more SEC games.  I know I watch most of them.  

The Big East and the ACC get more basketball games on television.  The result?  I watch more ACC and Big East basketball games.  I can hear the responses now: "But the ACC/Big East are the best conferences in basketball and the SEC is the best conference in football!" 

Honestly?  This is very hard for me to admit, but those people are right.  I can make an intelligent argument against such claims, but my argument in support would be much more lucid and plausible.  Even if those conferences were better (sigh, they are), I would say it doesn't matter.  The result is that everyone knows more about SEC football and ACC basketball. 

The thing is, Big 12 games and Big Ten games, and even Mountain West or Sun Belt games—they're all on television.  Their image is out there; their brand is gaining popularity. Brand recognition and image—and the access to those images—is everything.  It's the driving force behind popularity, merchandising, recruiting and success.

That's the point I'm trying to make.  Everyone has their teams.  Everyone has their loyalties.  But some loyalties weren't learned during childhood.  Some loyalties are random.  Some loyalties were made by just watching the damn games.  

I don't like the SEC, but I find myself rooting for Tennessee.  Why?  I don't really know.  I just like watching them play.  And there it is, if I want, I am able to watch those games. 

Pac-10 basketball is different than Big East basketball.  ACC football is vastly different than Big Ten football.  And occasionally, sports fans want to check in and see what other teams and conferences are all about.  They're curious about a team's reputation and image and want to learn more about the brand. 

College sports are a collision of passion.  They're a battle of tradition.  They're a conflict of geography and localized jingoism.  That's why we love them.  But when networks fail to provide access to certain regions or conferences—be it the Pac-10, Big East, WAC or even the MEAC, we're all robbed of that battle. 

Let us have the opportunity to choose sides and battle, but don't steal from us the choice.

In the meantime, I'll be watching Oral Roberts play Seton Hall because I can.

After two disappointing seasons as the Pac-10's biggest loser, the Oregon Duck basketball team has made it back.

Back to the AP Top 25 standards? Of course not. At barely above .500, the 12-11 Ducks won't probably see a bid into the NCAA Tournament.

But back to the standards of its loyal fans all across the Pacific Northwest? Boy, you'd better believe it.

The Ducks, after losing their first four Pac-10 games by an average of 14 points, are back in business by winning five out of their last seven, the last of which over conference rival No. 20 Washington. 

Now, what has sparked this new formula for success?

Is it because of the new $200 million arena that they moved into a month ago? Some may argue this, but the Duck men have been able to get it done on the road at tough venues like rival Oregon State and Stanford (a win that broke a 25-year losing streak at Maples Pavilion). 

Yes, it should be noted that the opening of Matthew Night Arena has inevitably added a new spark surrounding the team and the fan base. These are "new-look" Ducks, as they look a whole lot less like a mediocre team full of young talent and more like a team on the rise, ready to take the Pac-10 Conference by storm.

As I expressed earlier, this isn't a team destined for greatness this season, but a team for the future.

As a first-year coach, Dana Altman has brought in a recruiting class that has sparked much excitement around Eugene, especially with the signing of Jabari Brown, the highest-rated shooting guard on the West Coast out of the 2011 class.

With all this optimism surrounding the program, the newly revived Ducks are on their way up in the college basketball world. A nice change from the last two dismal seasons the Ducks experienced.

Dana Altman knew he had a rebuilding job when he came to Eugene as the Oregon men's basketball head coach.

And this season has been filled with its frustrations, for sure.

Coming up short against No. 8 Missouri in early December was disappointing.

Losing six games in a row, which included the Ducks first four Pac-10 games, was trying.

But Oregon seems to have turned a corner.

Suddenly a team that opened the Pac-10 season 0-4 has won five of its past seven games, including Saturday night's upset win over the No. 19 Washington Huskies.

Following the game, Altman said, “In any situation, a little success goes a long way," comparing his team’s feeling about itself to a student who puts in extensive preparation for an examination and is rewarded with a good grade.

"You get fired up and the next test you’ve got a little more confidence. Yeah, the guys should feel good, they should have more confidence, they passed a big test."

Last night's victory against the Huskies gave Oregon a home sweep of the Washington schools, following a 69-43 rout of Washington State on Thursday night.

That's a nice accomplishment in any season.

Senior forward Joevan Catron (pictured above) leads Oregon in both scoring (15.8 ppg) and rebounding (6.6 rpg). 

The Ducks will take their momentum and confidence on the road to face UCLA and USC later this week.

Picking up even a split in SoCal will help the Ducks to continue rising.

Oregon Ducks

Record: 8-10 Overall, 1-5 in Conference (Last)

Key Players:

Joevan Catron-The redshirt senior is active for the game and will be key in the post, leading the team this season with 15.9 points and 6.4 rebounds.

EJ Singler- Mr. Everything is averaging 11.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and a block this season, but he’s going to have to be at his best in Corvallis for the Ducks to have a chance.

Jeremy Jacob- Ducks have to get him going on the block to capitalize on possessions, and Jacob is their best, true interior player averaging 7.3 points and 4 rebounds this season.

X-Factor: EJ Singler.  As he goes, so does the team and it’s success.

Wildcard: Jonathan Lloyd.  When the freshman shows up, he provides a needed scoring burst off the bench that could make the difference down the stretch in a close game.

Key Stats:

The Ducks are among the Conference’s elite in field goal attempts, but are the worst in the Pac-10 in field goal percentage.  They also are last in defensive rebounds, but their hustle makes them one of the best teams on the offensive boards.  They are also among the Conference’s elite in free throw percentage, but last in free throw attempts.  They are also second in the Pac-10 in steals. 

Duck’s Breakdown:

Oregon always seems to have problems breaking the 1-3-1 defensive pressure of Oregon State.  On the offensive end, they will have to capitalize on their offensive opportunities, as there won’t be nearly as many as they are used to against the Beaver’s Princeton offense.  The Duck have struggled shooting the ball from 3 this year. In Corvallis, they will have to count on Garret Sim, Singler, and Jay-R Stowbridge from distance, as they account for over half the teams makes from 3 this season.  Point guard Malcolm Armstead has to make good decisions, as he has struggled this season, turning the ball over with nearly three times per game.  Oregon will also need Tyrone Nared to step up in the post and make plays defensively around the hoop.  Gill Coliseum has become a tough venue for the Ducks or any Pac-10 team to win in, and they are going to have to be playing well to get it done.

Oregon State Beavers

 Record: 8-9 Overall, 3-3 in Conference (T-5th)

Key Players:

Jared Cunningham-The sophomore sensation is having a breakout season with 14.6 points and 3.2 steals this season as the 1-3-1 point man.

Omari Johnson-He’s struggled recently in Pac-10 play, but putting up 8.9 points and leading the team with 6.7 rebounds per game.

Calvin Haynes-Inconsistent leader this season for the Beavs, averaging just 10.8 points in a disappointing senior campaign. 

X-Factor: Omari Johnson. He traditionally plays well against Oregon, especially at home from the perimeter.

Wildcard: Calvin Haynes. If he can get it going early, he adds another big worry for the Ducks on defense.

Key Stats:

The Beavers are tops in the conference in steals, largely thanks to Cunningham’s ability to harass opposing point guards.  They are also the leader in free throw attempts and makes.  Every other category, the Beavers are middle of the pack.

Beaver’s Breakdown:

Four players make up 70% of the team’s 3-point shooting, meaning that Cunningham, Johnson, Haynes, and Ahmad Starks could be crucial to their success from the perimeter.  Joe Burton, Haynes, and Cunningham make up 60% of team assists, and will be the key playmakers.  Look for freshman Devon Collier to emerge in the paint as well, as Oregon doesn’t have much size to contest the Beavers inside, as someone always seems to kill the Ducks in the interior.  They get solid contributions from Starks, Burton, Roberto Nelson, and Lathen Wallace, from which any of them are capable of stepping up.  With the exception of Cunningham, there really isn’t one player who dominates the team looks to in order to make plays.  There are plenty of capable playmakers on the roster, and it will be a matter of how many can get going.  If they can make Oregon play keep away and Cunningham reads the passing lanes, then they can take the Ducks out of their up-tempo element.

Game Prediction: 68-59 Oregon State

The Beavers have been a tough out in Pac-10 play in Corvallis under Craig Robinson.  Even with Oregon State as one of the biggest up-and-down teams in the nation, they have been solid on their home court so far.  Gill Coliseum will prove too much for Oregon, a team that hasn’t consistently shot the ball well and struggled to generate productive offense.  The tempo Oregon State creates and defensive pressure they apply will slow down the up-tempo offense and play to the Beavers advantage.  Look for low scoring affair with sloppy play and plenty of turnovers.

Even at a relatively young age, I’ve seen and experienced my share of storied locations in the sporting world: Michigan Stadium (The Big House), Neyland Stadium (Tennessee), Memorial Stadium (Cal-Berkeley), Madison Square Garden, Staples Center, The Rose Bowl and of course, historic McArthur Court. 

However, after taking a recent sneak peek at the brand new $200 million Matthew Knight Arena, my jaw may need some dentistry work done, as it spent so much time on the floor during the tour. That said, Swishscout.com presents "Matthew Knight Arena: The Legend of Mighty Oregon Just Got Bigger."

The new home to the University of Oregon basketball program has to be inducted as one of the wonders of the sporting world.  TVA Architects, the Portland-based architecture firm, developed a magnificent vision to represent Oregon basketball and revolutionize how NCAA basketball arenas are built. 

According to their press release, one of the main goals of the design firm was to “not only honor the heritage of Mac Court, but to also create a forward-looking, modern ‘theater for basketball’ that will provide an unprecedented experience for players and fans alike.”  Mission accomplished.

For Ducks fans, Mac Court is a cornerstone of the Ducks experience and a wonderful venue to experience a basketball game. 

However, "The Pit" has been around for 84 years and, for as much as fans love its nuances, has become outdated.  As much fun as it is to sit in hardwood seats, cramped quarters, have multiple obstructed views, and only a couple bathrooms to choose from, it was time for a change.  It was the second oldest on-campus arena in the nation and it definitely looked and felt that way. 

It will be forever remembered for having the crowd on top of the action and raucous noise the audience generated to back their team.  Thankfully, all of this has been preserved and recreated to a greater extent in the new venue.

The outside of the building is a tease to the anticipation of the action that lies inside.  Lead designer Robert Thompson: “The building’s orientation, scale, and transparency all serve to create a sense of anticipation for fans from the moment they park their cars or bikes to the time they take their seats.”

Thirty percent of the building’s outer façade is made up of glass, giving the fan a glimpse of the inside.  From the three main entrances of the building, the hanging scoreboard is visible through the entrance, lending to the excitement.  To fit in with the local tradition of Eugene, there is a large collection of hanging bike racks for fans to hang their bikes just outside the arena, with an underground parking garage available as well.

Walking through the main concourse of the structure, everything is simply a cut above.  From basic signs, vending carts, extensive interior white oak wood paneling, the whole feeling of the building exudes "extraordinary."

“We wanted Matthew Knight Arena to embody the values of the university: innovation, creativity, and optimism,” Thompson said.  The building is just that, being the first anticipated LEED Gold certified facility in the NCAA, a mark of how environmentally friendly, energy efficient and "green" it really is.

The history of Ducks basketball is accurately captured along the perimeter of the concourse’s main level.  It’s captured with team photos of the 2002 and 2007 men’s teams who reached the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight, women’s legendary player Bev Smith, the great volleyball teams of the school, and a special dedication to the 1939 "Tall Firs" Oregon basketball team who won the first NCAA Basketball Tournament title.

All of it tells a story of the University of Oregon athletics and tradition on the hardwood.  So whether you are a UO alum or a diehard fan, it will give you chills to see the history re-created in front of you as walk to your seats.

Walking inside the actual bowl of the arena, all the anticipation and build-up of expectations comes to a point of unparalleled excitement.  The enormous HD scoreboard is lit up with “Knight Vision” and you can see two interlocking Oregon O's between the four main screens of the display.

The actual basketball court itself is something special with an aura and energy that jumps out at you upon first sight.  Seeing the designs of the trees and being “Deep in the Woods” pays homage to the "Tall Firs" and it pops out at the viewer with an ominous glow that may have never before seen from a basketball court.  It is named "Kilkenny Floor" after prominent booster and former UO athletic director Pat Kilkenny.

Staying true to its Mac Court roots, all 12,364 seats are on top of the action.  The acoustics will support the obnoxious amount of energy from the Oregon fan base.  There isn’t a single obstructed view in the building, with nearly every seat (with the exception of the student section) being padded and comfortable. 

The actual interior of the arena is still very steep, much like Mac Court, in order to preserve the intimate feel of the building.  There are no suites in the arena, just seats.  For a comparison of how Matt Court is versus its predecessor, here is a link to differentiate the amenities.

The 405,000 square foot arena is the most expensive on-campus arena in the United States.  In addition, there are two full-size practice courts that adjoin the facility. 

There is also the McArthur Club lounge on the main floor level, which is for VIPs and boosters.  It pays tribute to Mac Court with recreations of old floor designs and newspaper articles that highlight the history of the renowned building.  The "Matthew Knight" name comes from Nike founder and foremost University donor Phil Knight, whose son Matthew died in a 2004 diving accident.

As a very recent graduate from the University of Oregon, my expectations were very high based on how much the entire cost of the facility was.  After getting a firsthand look of the arena and seeing everything up close, it has far exceeded those lofty expectations. 

The entire building has a legendary feel to it, a special place where the legacy of Oregon basketball will be played for years to come.  It will, and already has become, a major point of contention for Oregon recruiting and in the arms race for modern facilities. 

He’s not the best guard in the nation. 

He’s not the best shooter in the nation. 

He’s not even the best NBA prospect in the nation.

Swishscout.com has him ranked 17th on their prospect big board, while similar recruiting services have a similar read on his stock in the 2011 prep class. 

Then what makes Jabari Brown’s commitment so valuable? 

Unlike many of the players ranked ahead of him, Brown is the surest long-term investment that a program has right now.

Brown, who hails from Oakland, CA, is a versatile guard that is a national name because of his dynamic game. 

Deadly from 3, creative off the dribble, sets up teammates with ease, and can flat out score.  He has a game that bodes well in an up-tempo system and he's shown signs he can take on the role of being an offense’s primary option. 

Perhaps more importantly, Jabari Brown is not a great NBA prospect right now, and that is an asset for NCAA basketball within itself.  Brown can be a great player who will do well in college, but needs time to develop his game before he can move on. 

So,why does that matter more to a program, as opposed to getting a higher ranked ‘one and done’ prospect?

First, look at the program Brown has committed to.  The Oregon Ducks are a team that are reeling after the departure of nearly half its roster and firing coach Ernie Kent. 

Dana Altman, the new head coach who runs a similar style offense, basically has to rebuild the program from scratch after losing players to transfer this off-season.  He still has some key players left over in Malcolm Armstead, EJ Singler, and Joevan Catron, but recruiting is a big piece to building their future success. 

With Jabari Brown, he has a player who can become a national name in a few years. 

Jabari can run and play with the fast paced system, and can get hot from 3.  If he stays for 3-4 years, Brown will likely become the face of the men’s basketball program. It’s a beneficial relationship where Brown brings back Oregon’s program, and in return, he gets the recognition and credibility to make the next step.

As is, Brown is overly trigger happy from 3, doesn’t have great size and build for an NBA SG, and he is an underdeveloped playmaker. He will get better, develop, and bring veteran leadership to the program over his tenure; something the program hasn’t had since the days of Aaron Brooks. 

Best-case scenario, he becomes a household name and improves his draft stock for the NBA.  Brown can become a seasoned player for the Ducks, and prove he can be a contributor on an NBA roster during his college career.

Looking at the recent history of Pac-10 Basketball, it’s a league that was amongst the best in the nation just a few years ago. 

Suddenly, the high caliber recruits that were being brought in opted to enter the league after a year or two, leaving numerous teams to rebuild without them. 

The conference is littered with examples of prominent players leaving early. 

There’s Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, and Jrue Holiday at UCLA; Jerryd Bayless, Marcus Williams and Jordan Hill at Arizona; OJ Mayo and DeMar DeRozen at USC; Brooke and Robin Lopez at Stanford; James Harden at Arizona State, and Spencer Hawes at Washington. 

As a result, a program with stability and experience takes the Pac-10 regular season title with Cal-Berkeley, and a seasoned UW team wins the conference tournament in 2010. 

Of all the teams listed above, UCLA was the only team to make the Final Four with its talent, albeit 3 years in a row.  The teams that are building for the long term, as opposed to the short, are the ones who are reaping the benefits.

In recent NCAA Basketball history, ‘three’ is the magic number. Third year laden talent with a core of at least three big time players is doing the trick.  Those teams are consistently coming up with big wins in the tournament and taking home the titles. 

The University of Florida is a solid example of this, and maybe the only exception.  Back to back championships in 2006 and ’07, with a core of tenured and talented players.  Names like Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, who were breakout sophomore stars that ran away with the title in ’06 during a year of tournament craziness. 

They repeated the next year during their junior campaigns in a more conventional way because of their experience. 

In ’08, The Kansas Jayhawks had key juniors stars in Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers, and sophomore Darrell Arthur. 

The ’09 North Carolina team had key juniors Ty Lawson, Danny Green, Wayne Ellington, and senior Tyler Hansbrough. 

The ’10 Duke Blue Devils had juniors Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, and senior Jon Scheyer.

Clearly, the teams with star powered tenure and those destined for the NBA are the ones coming out on top.  That’s not to say that freshman phenoms can’t contribute, as they can play a big part like Derrick Rose, Greg Oden, and Michael Conley did. 

But, having veterans is what is putting teams consistently over the top. 

Getting ‘One and Done’ type players for your NCAA program right now is almost like making a deal with the devil. 

If a program is lucky, they might get one good or outstanding year from the player, two if they are lucky (Blake Griffin at Oklahoma, for example). However, the program is immediately forced to reload that roster spot and routinely change their game plan from year to year. 

The best example of this today is Jon Callipari and the Kentucky Wildcats.  Last year, they were loaded with fabulous freshman John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Eric Bledsoe, but only made it to the Elite 8, where their inexperience proved to be their undoing. They are left with nothing to build on, as all their key pieces are gone.

This year they have reloaded with Terrence Jones, Brandon Knight, and Doron Lamb, but what are the odds any of them sticks around after this season? 

Again, they have a great incoming class next year with Marquis Teague, Michael Gilchrist, Anthony Davis, and Kyle Wiltjer, but all of them likely wants to be ‘One and Done.’ 

Elite players are flocking to Kentucky, not because they want to do well as a team, but because they want to improve their NBA draft stock.  They are amongst the most talented players, but want to cash in as soon as possible at the NBA factory, and could probably care less about success in NCAA Basketball.

There have been multiple ‘One and Done’ talents, such as Kevin Durant, Michael Beasely, and OJ Mayo who have failed to go any further than the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament.

The one recent exception to a freshman leading a team to the title is Carmelo Anthony at Syracuse.  For the ‘One and Done’, college basketball just becomes a necessary year detour before starting their NBA career.

With the ‘One and Done,’ there can be consequences as well.

OJ Mayo’s recruitment and tenure at USC was plagued by scandal, ultimately ending in the vacancy of victories and loss of scholarships.

With Eric Bledsoe going to Kentucky, there was a story that came out about extra benefits and payments for his commitment to the Wildcats.

Even today, there is still controversy swirling around Anthony Davis heading to Lexington with his family and allegedly taking money.

Callipari made a similar play at Memphis with Derrick Rose, and left the Tigers with sanctions from the NCAA upon his departure. It's a dicey business that is often surrounded by close scrutiny and consequences, if not executed properly.

Unfortunately, making the dicey move to get the commitment is often what makes the difference.

More often than not, the ‘One and Done,’ 5-star caliber player comes with high expectations. They will either fail to live up to them in their one-year and then leave early because they have NBA potential, or have a great year and leave early because their stock improves.  Either way, the program becomes discombobulated after their departure, and has to go back to the drawing board too soon.

‘One and Done’ becomes like a drug to programs, where you either have to keep yout habit fed in order to win—like Kentucky—or just enter into rehab to get clean—like USC.

It’s all a matter of stats and stock versus tenure and wins.

Are you in it for the short-term hype and NBA potential, or for the long term wins and program stability?

This isn’t to say that ‘One and Done’ players aren’t great NCAA prospects and don’t have good intentions, but it all comes down to money and bettering their situations while they can.

Duke is the one program that has consistently been able to bring in high caliber players and keep them in their system for an extended period of time. Perhaps most importantly, Duke has done it with great success and no controversy.

It’s a new era in College Basketball, but as usual, whoever can adapt their program and build for the future, will have the best long term success.