Josh Huff has a sprained knee

Ducks fans collectively sighed in relief as the news that Josh Huff's knee injury is not serious and is only a sprained knee.  He was seen running without a brace and he reportedly said that he might try to play in the spring game.  Ducks fans have been left in suspense as the team has been quiet regarding the injury.  Huff was injured in an incident without contact, where he had to be helped off the field and could not put any weight on his leg.

Huff is going to be a major part of the Ducks' offense this coming year.  He is a 5'11 receiver who is strong at 207 lbs.  He has ran a 4.34 forty and plays just as fast or even faster.  Huff repeatedly showed amazing sight running in the open field.  He is most likely the new deep threat for the Ducks, but the Ducks will run screens for him, use him out of the back field, and on returns.  As a true sophomore he looks poised to have a huge season in 2011.

Oshay Dunmore commits to the Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks have landed their first football recruit of the 2012 class, Oshay Dunmore.  Dunmore, from Newport, will stay in state and head to Eugene.  He is an athletic player who will most likely end up on offense, he excelled mostly as a running back in high school.  Oshay is 6'2 and almost 200 lbs, he has the frame of a wide receiver but he is athletic enough that he could also be developed into a corner or safety.  He is a nice first addition to the class of 2012.

Malcolm Armstead to transfer closer to home

The Ducks have lost 6'0 guard  Malcolm Armstead as he has decided to transfer closer to his Florida home.  Armstead was a consistent contributor for Altman and the Ducks, he averaged 27.5 minutes per game and played in all 38 games this season.  He scored almosat 9 points per game while dishing out 4 assists per game, and now the Ducks will either look to their bench or to the Minnesota transfer guard Devoe Joseph, a 6'4 guard who is instant offense, and can distribute the ball.


Armstead may have foreseen a drop in minutes with the anticipated arrival of Jabari Brown and the addition of Devoe Joseph, or he may have just wanted to move closer to home.  Either way Armstead gave the Ducks two good seasons and it looks like that will be all.  

Which players would be a good fit for Portland in the 2011 NBA draft?

The Blazers have a few crucial holes that need to be filled this upcoming off season.  Although many people are calling this draft very weak because there are very few players that look like they will be all-stars, I think there will be a lot of solid role players and there will be definitely be one or 2 layers that surprise everyone and become great.  The Blazers look poised to get the 21st pick of the draft.  This means they will get a player that will need some development for at least a year before they are ready to contribute.  They do have some assets they could use to trade up if there is a player they really like, but I don't expect them to go that route.

The Blazers 2 biggest needs are a stable center to go along with LaMarcus, and a point guard for the future.
Here is a list of a few players that might be available around the Blazers pick and that I think would be a good fit in Portland.

1. Brandon Knight-  Knight's stock has been all over this season, and every scout has a different take on him.  He seems to be more of a scorer than a distributor, but he is extremely talented, athletically gifted, and has a lot of upside.  If he is available I would expect the Blazers to pull the trigger on him and then try to use Andre Miller's contract as a trade asset.

2. Kenneth Faried- Faried is another player who has a ton of talent but could slip to the Blazers.  He would slip because he lacks the ideal size even though he is the best rebounder in this draft.  He reminds me of Ben Wallace because of how defensively active he is.  He would be a great back up for Aldridge, and think of a defensive minded line up like Wallace, Faried, Aldridge, Batum, Mathews.

3. Lucas Nogueira- Nogueira is a young seven footer out of Brazil.  He is very offensively, but he could come in and help on defense.  He is very athletic and has a huge wing span.  He could learn a lot from Marcus Camby in the last few seasons of his career, and if Portland's trainers could develop him in the same way as LaMarcus, he could be a great pick.

4.Markieff Morris- Markieff is the better rebounder and shot blocker of the Morris twins, and he would help out Portland's front line.  He would bring a lot of energy off the bench for Nate McMillan.  His offensive game is still improving and he continues to show upside.

5.Nolan Smith- Smith had a great senior season at Duke, but there are questions of whether he could play the point in the NBA or is he an undersized 2 guard.  I think that he could learn a lot from Andre Miller, but I don't know if he would be an upgrade over Patty Mills.


6.Patric Young- Young is a little undersized at the center position but he makes up for it with long arms and elite athleticism.  He reminds me of Kendrick Perkins because of what he does on the floor.  He won't give you much offense yet, but defensively he will compete.  He will be a project, but he has the potential to develop into a nice player.

Gerald Wallace Has Become Beloved By Blazer Fans

Gerald Wallace brought his heart and hustle to Portland, and so far it is paying off.


During his career Gerald Wallace has been known as the ultimate hustle player in the NBA. He is not known for his offense, but he makes his living with defense and rebounding   When Portland acquired him at the trade deadline they had a good idea of what they were getting, but they could not imagine how Wallace's presence would change the face of the team.  Since he arrived the Blazers have been playing with more heart, more hustle, and more toughness.  Wallace's demeanor is to not back down from anyone, and that is rubbing off on some of the younger players who had been criticized for being soft.

Wallace can play the 2, 3, or 4 and he is an exceptional defender at each position.  He has been starting at the power forward position, moving aldridge to the center position.  That line up is very small, and conventional wisdom would say that the lineup is too small to compete against bigger team, especially because front court depth is a major problem.  That, however, is not the case as the Blazers have been not only competing, but winning crucuial games down the stretch.  They have been playing hard and hitting the glass, led by Wallace.

Wallace has been key to these wins, he has had 40 point games, and many 13-15 rebound games.  He has been locking his man down each game and he has not been afraid to get down low and do the dirty work.  Friday was a perfect example, he seemed like he was on the floor every other play.  He got in Artest's face all night and did not back down when he got in his face.  Wallace even took a huge charge against the 7 foot Andrew Bynum which swung the momentum back to the Blazers side.

When Wallace was traded to Portland I think blazer fans knew he was athletic and talented, but I don't think they understood how athlletic and how talented he really is.  He seems to be one of the most athletic players on the floor every night.  He has also proven he can knock down the open three, which was a concern at the beginning.  The fact that he is hitting his open shots, hustling on the boards and on defense, and throwing down thunderous dunks is making him a fan favorite.  He was given a standing ovation Friday night as the fans chanted his name during the closing minutes in the victory over the Lakers.  It looks like the addition of Wallace was a perfect move, and it seems like Portland fans are eager for this marriage to continue for many years to come.

Carlos Emory Becomes A Duck

Carlos Emory played at Howard Junior College in Texas and was one of the top juco basketball players last season, and now he will be bringing his talents to Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene next season.  He will fill the hole that Joevan Catron's depature created.  Emory is an undersized power forward at only 6'7, but he makes up for it with his athleticism and motor.  Carlos is a player who can play inside or outside and likes to drive the ball to the basket and finish hard at the rim.

Last year he was named Western junior college  athletic confference player of the year while averagving 17 points and grabbing 7 boards per game.  He did that despite battling the disease Colitis which is a painful intestinal disease.  His playing weight is at 240 but last year he lost 20 pounds.

There is confusion about where his scholarship is coming from however because the Ducks have already met their limit.  This means they will have to drop one scholarship player in order to add Emory.

Overall, once Emory is added to the team he will bring immediate help.  He is very explosive at the rim and his toughness and rebounding down low is just what Dana Altman needs in Eugene.  

Oregon Ducks WR Josh Huff Goes Down With Knee Injury

The Ducks' emerging sophomore WR Josh Huff went down during Friday's practice with an apparent knee injury suffered while diving for a ball and was seen grabbing his left knee with both hands. When he was helped off the field he was unable to put any weight on his leg. 

There is still no official statement on the severity of or  the exact nature of the injury, but it is never a good sign when there is no contact and a player is injured like that.  

Huff was a true freshman last season and was poised to be the 3rd starter behind the senior Tuinei and Junior Hoffman.  If Huff is indeed out fellow sophomore Nick Cole will take his place.

Huff's absence would be a big blow to Oregon's passing offense, he was going to be their deep threat because of his explosive athleticism.  Last year he showed he was one of the most explosive players in college football, he is a threat to take it all the way anytime he touches the ball.  I know Ducks' fans are all rooting for Mr. Huff right now.