Oregon vs. Kansas State: A Look Back at 2007

by dvieira on Dec 6, 2008 9:56 PM PST in Oregon Ducks Basketball

The 2007 Oregon Ducks Men's Basketball Team had a group of seniors that were highly recruited with equally as high expectations. The 2007 Kansas State team had one of the best forwards in the game last year in Michael Beasley. How would the game play out? It would prove to be one of the best wins in Oregon history

Oregon came into the game at 5-1, ranked #17 in the country. The Ducks had come off a great outing, beating San Francisco 110-79, and matching the 6th highest score in Oregon Ducks history, averaging 93.2 points per game. Balance was the name of the game for the Ducks who had 7 players scoring in double figures. Kansas State, by contrast, was still looking to find itself. They came into this game at 5-1, just like Oregon, and were led by power forward Michael Beasley, averaging 26.5 points per game. The Wildcats were the "Michael Beasley Show" and everything rolled through him.

Oregon got off to a shaky start. The Ducks were 3-15 in 3-point field goals in the first half but battled back against a crazy Wildcat crowd to force the game into overtime. With Aaron Brooks gone, Joevan Catron and Tajuan Porter stepped up, scoring 15 and 14 points respectfully. Experience seemed to be the difference in the game as Oregon had 4 starters returning from the previous season.

"There's a reason why IBM doesn't go out and hire 18-year-old high school graduates. They go out and hire guys that graduated from college, and there's a reason for that." -- Kansas State coach Frank Martin

With Maarty Leunan getting 3 offensive rebounds at the end of regulation and hitting a free throw to send it into overtime, Kansas State forward Billy Walker just couldn't hold it anymore. Bryce Taylor and Joevan Catron put the Ducks ahead in overtime and never looked back. Oregon would move on to 6-1 with a huge win on a national stage

ESPN Box Score

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via deadspin.com

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Comments

That was one of the best games in recent Oregon basketball history

That and the 2006 WSU and UCLA games.

Why was Aaron Brooks gone though? Did he foul out?

Kicker.

by qrsouther on Dec 7, 2008 10:32 AM PST reply actions

Graduation?

by DUCKinNY on Dec 7, 2008 10:47 AM PST up reply actions

yep, this is true. This was the year after Brooks graduated and there was some question who was going to run the team at the point.

--Dominic

Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.

by dvieira on Dec 7, 2008 10:57 AM PST up reply actions

Ohhh you're right.

I for some reason thought this was an ’06 game.

I miss him so.

Kicker.

by qrsouther on Dec 7, 2008 1:41 PM PST up reply actions

a "huge win," on the "national stage?"

not so much. Though it was a great game, K-state was nothing too special.

by coolconman on Dec 7, 2008 11:30 AM PST reply actions

Well I'd say Beasley was quite under the microscope.

And I may be wrong but I think the game was broadcast pretty widely.

Kicker.

by qrsouther on Dec 7, 2008 1:52 PM PST up reply actions

yep on both counts. Michael Beasley was considered a possible “number one draft pick” going into this game and it was broadcast nationally on ESPN. Kansas State did go on to the NCAA tournament that year, getting to the second round. Oregon hadn’t played too many teams up until this point that were nationally ranked and outside the conference (in their house).

--Dominic

Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.

by dvieira on Dec 7, 2008 2:18 PM PST up reply actions