LAS VEGAS — The end likely came for Pac-12 Conference basketball on Saturday. It also marked the beginning of an unexpected journey for Oregon.
The Ducks had to win the conference tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament. And behind a hurting big man who was perfect on this night, they found a way.
N’Faly Dante, playing with a bruised tailbone, made all 12 of his shots and scored 25 points, and Oregon secured an automatic bid by defeating Colorado 75-68.
By winning the conference tournament, fourth-seeded Oregon (23-11) will play in the big tourney because the Ducks weren’t projected to receive an at-large invitation to the 68-team field. This was the Ducks’ sixth Pac-12 Tournament championship and first since 2019.
“We knew what we had to come down here and do,” said Oregon guard Jermaine Couisnard, who had 14 points and eight assists. “We knew we had to win three straight.”
Third-seeded Colorado (23-10) is expected to receive an at-large bid. The Buffaloes, whose eight-game winning streak ended, entered the game 24th in the NCAA’s NET ranking.
“I have coached teams that have deserved to be in that weren’t in, and I’ve also coached teams that didn’t deserve to be in that got in,” Buffaloes coach Tad Boyle said. “All that matters is what that committee thinks. I look at our metrics, I look at these guys and there’s no doubt in my mind this is an NCAA Tournament team.”
Colorado guard Luke O’Brien (0) celebrates after making a 3-point shot against Oregon) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Pac-12 tournament Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. Credit: AP/John Locher
Dante, who was injured in Friday’s semifinal victory over Arizona, also had nine rebounds and three steals and was named the tournament’s most outstanding player. He picked up his third foul 2:19 into the second half, but never got a fourth and ended the game with a plus-19 rating.
“It feels really good,” Dante said. “It was something I…
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