[Quack Attack]

New Ducks getting acclimated



By Chris Hansen
The Register-Guard
Published: July 25, 2008 12:00AM


Michael Dunigan positioned himself just beyond the three-point line and began hoisting up some long-range shots. His first attempt went off the back of the rim. The second went off the backboard, as did the third.

Then with a smile, the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Oregon men’s basketball freshman grabbed his ball, casually drove through the lane and effortlessly thundered home a two-handed dunk that echoed throughout the empty stands at McArthur Court on Wednesday. “He’s so big,” marvelled former Thurston High School standout Drew Wiley, a fellow freshman who was watching Dunigan warm up from a folding chair nearby. “I didn’t get to play against people that big much. I’m looking forward to having him on my team.”

Right now, the Ducks, who have been holding voluntary scrimmages throughout the summer school session, are just starting to get a feel for exactly what kind of team that will be, though it will surely be one that expects Dunigan to provide more of a presence inside than out on the perimeter. “I’ll learn to hit it one of these days,” Dunigan said of his three-point abilities. “I’m playing in the paint right now, though.”
The Chicago native, who is the centerpiece of Oregon’s heralded six-man freshmen class, certainly passes the eyeball test as the powerful and skilled post player the Ducks have been lacking.

The McDonald’s All-American has been impressive during live action as well. “Big Mike, he’s young, but he’s got a lot of skill,” junior guard Tajuan Porter said. “He’s going to help us a lot down low and give us a great inside presence.”

With only seven returning players from last season’s NCAA Tournament team, Dunigan won’t be the only freshman who will play a significant role for Oregon during the upcoming season, which opens Nov. 14 against Northern Colorado at Mac Court.

“The summer is when the season starts,” Porter corrected. “It’s when guys get used to each other and our style of play and how things are suppose to be done. Right now (the freshmen) are just having fun and getting adjusted to the college life. But we’re still working. The summer is a big part of our program. You get ahead in the classroom and get ahead on the court and they’re doing a good job right now.”

With the return of 6-5 wing Matt Humphrey from his duties with the national U18 team that finished second at the FIBA America’s tournament in Formosa, Argentina, all six freshmen are in town and working out.
And Dunigan hasn’t been the only rookie to draw raves, either.
Teondre Williams, a 6-4, 190-pound guard from Norcross, Ga., near Atlanta, and Garrett Sim, a 6-1 point guard from Sunset High School in Portland, also were singled out.

“Teondre Williams is a freak athlete,” Humphrey said.
“Teondre, I had never seen him play until he got out here, and he’s really shown me some things,” Porter said. “I didn’t know he was that athletic and that skilled.”

Sim was the Class 6A co-player of the year and led the Apollos to the state championship game. He originally signed a letter of intent with Cal but requested his release when coach Ben Braun was fired. He signed with the Ducks in late April. When asked who has surprised him the most this summer, Wiley didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Right there,” he said pointing to Sim. “He’s a very good, very good point guard. He shoots it great, can handle it and sees the whole floor. He’s the real deal. He’s a lot faster and quicker than he looks and he makes big shots.”
For Sim, it’s just the continuation of what has been a break-out year.
“I was a late bloomer,” Sim said. “I’ve gotten a lot bigger and a lot stronger, and it’s just taken my confidence and my game to a whole different level. I knew I had to prove myself. There are a lot of guards here. I just have to keep working hard, which is fine, I like competition. But I’ve just got to prove myself and get the respect of the team.”
He’s been able to do that so far. “I hadn’t heard of him until we got out here,” Dunigan said. “My first impression is that he is pretty damn good.”
The other freshman, 6-8, 260-pound post Josh Crittle, has been sitting out the scrimmages with an injured shoulder.

Crittle, who was teammates with Humphrey at Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago, still earned praise for his conditioning efforts.
“He’s dropped a few pounds since he’s been out here,” Porter said. “He came out here with a gut. He came out here nine months pregnant and now he’s just three months pregnant.”

In the absence of UO coaches, who aren’t allowed to participate in the summer scrimmages, it’s been Porter who has taken on the role of team leader and chief motivator. And so far, Porter has liked what he has seen.
“It’s a new beginning, a new family, new talent,” Porter said. “And we’re probably going to have a new style of play this year. It’s going to be real exciting.”