Oregon men’s basketball hasn’t been the same since one assistant coach left
Oregon might still make the 2023 NCAA Tournament, but it is not going to be easy. Oregon is squarely on the bubble in February for a second straight season. It’s not where the Ducks expect or hope to be. This program is supposed to make the NCAA Tournament without a lot of drama or uncertainty, but that hasn’t been the case the past few years.
Oregon will likely need to beat UCLA this Saturday to make the Big Dance. A win over USC could give the Ducks an added boost.
We talked to Ducks Wire analyst Donald Smalley about the loss of an Oregon assistant coach, and the role of that assistant in building the UO program to a higher level. Without Tony Stubblefield, Oregon just hasn’t been the same.
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Trojans Wire:
“If Tony Stubblefield returned, would any of this still be happening?”
Donald Smalley, Ducks Wire:
“Probably not, but Oregon has to get past that. Tony Stubblefield has his own program now. Oregon is still recruiting on an elite level. Perhaps the big men would develop a little quicker with TS on the staff.”
