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NCAA Tournament: Oregon Ducks Head Coach Dana Altman Has Earned Respect

By Justin Phillips

Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman looks on during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman looks on during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Following the Xavier win over the 2 Seed Arizona Wildcats it is time to shift the conversation from Sean Miller to Oregon Ducks Head Coach Dana Altman.

Miller was again named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year. The Arizona Wildcats lost to Oregon in Eugene this season, their only Regular season meeting. Arizona returned the favor and took the Pac-12 Championship in Las Vegas, thus earning a 2 seed, with the Ducks getting a 3 seed. Fast forward two weeks into the NCAA Tournament and the Ducks are onto their second straight Elite 8 performance and Arizona is headed home after a loss to 11 Seed Xavier on Friday night.

Arizona had an opportunity on Friday to beat Xavier. Even after calling a timeout and setting up a play, they were unable to get it done. A similar circumstance may have been said about the Oregon Ducks after a last second Michigan Three Pointer missed in their respective Sweet 16 matchup.. Oregon won by a point.

Miller and Altman have had their battles in the Pac-12, but it is certainly time to give the Oregon Head Coach earned respect. He has been leading the Oregon Ducks for seven seasons. He accomplishments are many including  seeing a  team through two undefeated seasons at Matthew Knight Arena. Now has the team on the cusp of another Final Four making the Elite 8 again. Now at 32 wins the team has the most victories in a season in their history.

Now if Altman can get the Oregon Ducks to the Final Four it will no longer be a quiet respect for one of the most consistent Coaches in the Pac-12 Conference in recent years.

Next: Tyler Dorsey Leads Oregon Ducks To Elite 8

The Oregon Ducks and Kansas Jayhawks tipoff on Saturday at 5:49pm Pacific Time on TBS.

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