KANSAS CITY — From the very first meeting, the very first practice, back in the fall, Dana Altman was relentless in his message: The 2016-17 Oregon men's basketball team would go only as far as its defense and rebounding could take it.
The college basketball landscape is littered with talented scorers. If you want to play for trophies, you' gotta guard.
Early Sunday morning, the UO men returned to Eugene with a big, shiny trophy of wood and metal. It was awarded to the Ducks for being champions of the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Region, thanks to a 74-60 victory Saturday over Kansas.