Oregonian Sports

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Trail Blazers making staff changes, Damian Lillard's injury, rookie of the year voting and they break down the center position. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you weren't able to catch Oregon State's football showcase on Saturday, don't worry. The Beavers wanted it that way. Kind of. The Ducks and Beavers spring games present an annual study in contrast, which is discussed in this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast with hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene. Also on this week's episode: • Why Oregon State's poaching paranoia is justified • How much of Dante Moore should Ducks fans expect to see on Saturday • The Thorns (and WNBA team) owners sure know how to throw a pep rally • The underdog Winterhawks are back in the conference finals • And much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Portland Trail Blazers falling a tad in the NBA draft lottery, analyze the forward position and address the return of Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks' lineup for the playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blazers' extension of Chauncey Billups may not be popular with all fans, but was completely justified given the progress the team made on the court this season. Will history prove that it was the right move for the rebuilding franchise? On the new episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast, hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene debate the merits of Billups' extension while looking at its ripple effects for the Trail Blazers. Also on this week's show: • What Joe Cronin needs to do this offseason for the Blazers to take a step forward • Jazzy Davidson dazzles at Hoop Summit • The WNBA is starting to feel more real in Portland • Bill goes full conspiracy theory on both Sabrina Ionescu and Damian Lillard • What we're looking for at Oregon State's spring game this weekend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Portland Trail Blazers signing coach Chauncey Billups to a contract extension and take a quick look at the team's chances of reaching the playoffs next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss general manager Joe Cronin receiving a contract extension and agree that coach Chauncey Billups should be next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For just the second time in history, the NCAA Tournament has given us four No. 1 seeds in the Final Four, which starts Friday in San Antonio. Is that good for college sports? The Oregonian Sports Podcasts are split on the matter. Cohost Brenna Greene is on the scene for the men's Final Four after spending the previous week at the women's regional in Spokane. She breaks down the scene there and previews the rest of the men's field along with Oregonian sports columnist Bill Oram. Also on this week's episode: • Why the two-regional system is a disservice to women's hoops • Catching up with the former Oregon State women's players who made it back to the Sweet 16 • Picking winners in both tournaments • On the Blazers front, can we trust awards voters to get it right on Toumani Camara? Listen to the full episode here: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Blazers' unexpected 127-113 win at Atlanta, Deni Avdija's second triple-double, Toumani Camara's chances of landing on the All-Defensive team and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The true joy of the NCAA Tournament is that it makes stars of unlikely players. And that can occur both on or off the court. One example was a clip of The Oregonian Sports Podcast hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene during crunch time of Oregon's second-round loss to Arizona in Seattle. Sitting behind the national TV broadcasters, the hosts engaged in animated conversation. What were they talking about? Well, how good are your lip-reading skills? On this week's episode, Bill and Brenna relive the moment that went viral before moving onto more serious topics, including: • The Ducks loss was thrilling but cost them a shot at top-ranked Duke • The transfer portal comes for Oregon State's best players • Missing the NCAA Tournament may have been a blessing in disguise for the UP women • An update on the Portland Diamond Project's $800 million ask of state legislators — including one key endorsement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Blazers making noise in the tight race for the final play-in berth in the Western Conference and more during the latest episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Oregon men are back in the NCAA Tournament and, like last year, back in a 5-12 matchup. Unlike last year, the Ducks are the 5-seed team. Can they overpower Liberty and play for a chance to get to the second weekend in Newark? The Ducks are encountering one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country. And while March Madness is defined by buzzer-beaters and threes, will the Flames actually be able to outshoot Oregon if the Ducks exert their advantage in the paint? On this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast, hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene break down that matchup, while also looking ahead to both the Oregon and Oregon State women making their returns to the tournament field. Also discussed on the show: • Scenes from Selection Sunday in Eugene and Corvallis • Which local team entering the NCAA Tournament has actually disappointed? • A high school legend finally wins a trophy • Did we witness a passing of the torch in 6A girls hoops? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Portland Trail Blazers' fading play-in hopes, the play of Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every once in a while something so remarkable happens that it jumps past all the other very important events of the day and becomes banner news. So while the Oregon men are moving through the Big Ten tournament and two in-state women's teams just battled for an NCAA Tournament berth, Bill Oram and Brenna Greene absolutely had to start this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast with a thorough breakdown of Natalie Zito, nee Gilbert's, surprise appearance to sing the national anthem in front of ex-Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks on Wednesday night. While the Blazers have been on an upswing in the second half of the season, the franchise's idea to reunite Gilbert and Cheeks may have been the season's best moment. Also discussed on this week's episode: • Combined with Bill Walton's tribute night 72 hours earlier, this has been a big week for Blazers game ops • Bill describes other memorable national anthem performances, including a notable freeze-job by an Oscar nominee • Oregon State's win over Portland in the WCC women's title game was a celebration of Oregon hoops • The Oregon men further burnished their March Madness resume with a win over Indiana on the Hoosiers' home turf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Portland Diamond Project has been kicking around ideas for so long that it may take time for some to catch up to the fact that the proposal has transformed and gained real momentum among elected officials and business leaders. Is baseball on the South Waterfront a real possibility? That's unclear. But what's certain is that this is an aptitude test for Portland when it comes to taking a big swing. On this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports podcast, hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene discuss the new renderings of a potential ballpark and the Diamond Project's plans to seek up to $900 million in financing from the legislature, plus other topics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Blazers winning five out of six, what Kyrie Irving being lost for the season means for Dallas and the Blazers, the rise of Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija, plus what reaching the play-in would mean for the franchise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Oregon men's basketball team has rediscovered the spark that keyed its early season run. After an impressive come-from-behind win at No. 11 Wisconsin, the Ducks are looking more and more like a team that could make noise in the NCAA Tournament. At the center of that is their Mr. Clutch, Jackson Shelstad. On this episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast, hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene discuss the fast-approaching college basketball postseason and the outlook for teams around the state, including the Ducks and Beavers Also on this week's episode:  • Shaedon Sharpe's dunk broke the Internet • Bill gets a new puppy and, more vitally, gets to name it • A history lesson about the time two NBA legends met in Corvallis • Portland State football returns downtown — for a day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the team's recent winning streak, chances of reaching the play-in, Shaedon Sharpe's career night and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the Blazers announced improvements to the Moda Center video boards that will feature 7,520 square feet of LED screens and increase the existing center scoreboard by more than 50 percent. Improvements to the 30-year-old arena have been a long time coming, and with the Blazers seeking fan input on the forthcoming project Bill Oram and Brenna Greene discuss on this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast what we enhancements the organization should focus on — from the obvious to the not so obvious. Also discussed on this week's episode:  • A review of the Netflix documentary “Court of Gold” • Find out what Olympic star knew Brenna as “Tonsilitis Girl” in college • With Buck Williams receiving Hall of Fame consideration, what jerseys should the Blazers consider retiring? • On the whole, the Timbers are likely better off without Evander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss where the Blazers stand after losing three consecutive games entering the All-Star break and once again dealing with injuries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blazers were one of only four teams to sit out the trade deadline, a decision that sets the stage for what should be a competitive final two months of the regular season. On this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports podcast, hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene break down the state of the Blazers, their chances to actually reach the play-in and how they find a star (or stars) if reaching the top of the lottery is now a longshot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the team winning nine of 10 and what that means for the rebuild, Thursday's trade deadline, coach Chauncey Billups and the future of the franchise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blazers' recent run of success has created something of a conundrum. They have won five of their last six games, are playing hard and delivering an entertaining style of basketball. They are also at risk of locking the franchise in the NBA's version of no-man's land. That's the main topic of discussion on this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast. Hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene weigh the circumstances the Blazers find themselves in, seemingly taking meaningful steps forward on the court as their plans of a high lottery pick take a simultaneous hit. Can fans enjoy the wins if they also feel like losses? Also discussed on this week's all-Blazers episode: • What does the Blazers front office do with Billups now that he's shown he can get the most out of an imperfect roster? • Blazers game ops rise to the occasion of Damian Lillard's return. Please send earplugs. • By the time Lillard is a free agent, should the Blazers even want him back? • Plus, Brenna exacts her revenge for last week's mea culpa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trail Blazers have hit a winning stride. Is that a good thing for a team that is attempting to rebuild through the draft? It seems likely the roster is headed for another second-half shutdown after the trade deadline. Plus, Brenna eats crow for her confidence that her beloved Gonzaga would have no problem at Oregon State.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, jumps all over the latest developments surrounding the team. Scoot Henderson continues to shine. Anfernee Simons bounced back. Shaedon Sharpe lost his starting role. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oregon fans harbored hopes of watching the Ducks play in the national championship game on Monday in Atlanta. That dream was crushed about three plays into the Rose Bowl as Ohio State overwhelmed Oregon, bringing an abrupt end to one of the best seasons in program history. With the Buckeyes now in the championship game against Notre Dame after edging Texas in the Cotton Bowl, many Ducks fans may be asking themselves this question: Who do we root for now? On this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports podcast, hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene debate that question and come to different conclusions. Also on this week's show: • Looking ahead to Oregon State's first basketball game against Gonzaga in Brenna's lifetime • Was it a good idea for Beavers head coach Trent Bray to appoint himself defensive coordinator, too? • Should Scoot Henderson's career-best performance against Brooklyn be seen as a sign of progress for the young Blazers star or thrown out as an anomaly? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, offers well-earned praise to Scoot Henderson for his performance against the Nets. But was it just a fluke? Also, why does Deandre Ayton coast at times, and should the Blazers regret not trading Damian Lillard to Miami for a package including Tyler Herro? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've had a week to process Oregon's 41-21 loss to Ohio State in Pasadena. While the Ducks were badly outplayed by their opponent, the system that put them in that matchup remains a topic of much debate and scrutiny. On this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast, hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene of KOIN unpack the New Year's debacle, including whether the Ducks should consider any staffing changes. Also discussed on this week's episode: • Will top teams start to manipulate their seasons, including resting players in conference title games? • If the Ducks are gradually leveling up, does that make next year their year to win in the playoff? • With the NBA's trade deadline a month away, what are reasonable expectations for the Blazers front office? • The Blazers have the NBA's sixth-worst record, but with lottery odds front of mind, are they winning too many games? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, examines the team's solid play lately, especially that of Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons and Deni Avdija. Plus, the trade deadline is coming up on Feb. 6. What should the Blazers do? And would we trade for Zion Williamson? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's finally time for the Grandaddy of Them All. On the eve of the Rose Bowl, co-hosts Ryan Clarke and Bill Oram preview Oregon vs. Ohio State for this special edition of Ducks Confidential. Does recency bias favor the Buckeyes, and which position groups will decide this one? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another episode of Ducks Confidential, an Oregonian Sports podcast about the Oregon Ducks. In this edition, columnist Bill Oram and senior writer Joe Freeman discuss the connection between Dillon Gabriel and Marcus Mariota, the two Hawaiian-born quarterbacks who have engineered the most successful seasons in Oregon history and share a unique bond that extends beyond football. How did Gabriel earn Mariota's permission to wear No. 8? How are their mothers connected? And how does their bond impact the Ducks? Oram and Freeman answer those questions and more in the episode. Subscribe to Oregonian Sports podcasts on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As one year closes, we take a look ahead to the next one on the Oregonian Sports podcast, setting goals for the local sports teams and figures as they enter into 2025. Can the Blazers shed some weight — at least contractually? And can the Timbers and Evander decide that what they really want is to work things out? And the Portland Diamond Project... really should host more in the new year. Other things discussed on this week's episode with hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene: · Is calling the new football playoff the “first of its kind” FCS erasure? · Can UP women's basketball go from “totally Meek” to “totally sleek”? · Plus, resolutions for the Ducks and Beavers, the new WNBA team and local sports fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill and James discuss Oregon's upcoming matchup with Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. What might apply from the Oct. 12 classic in Eugene? What's changed? What will perception be with a win or loss for each team? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another episode of Ducks Confidential, an Oregonian Sports podcast about the Oregon Ducks. In this edition, columnist Bill Oram and senior writer Joe Freeman dissect five burning questions surrounding the Rose Bowl and the No. 1 Ducks' chase for the first championship in school history. Who should they want to play in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff? How far do they need to advance to prove they belong among college football's elite? What are the biggest factors separating the Ducks from a title? Oram and Freeman answer those questions and more in the episode. Subscribe to Oregonian Sports podcasts on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this season of giving... out college football awards, is a bit of consistency too much to ask? If Dillon Gabriel was the highest-regarded quarterback among Heisman Trophy voters, then how can he be the country's third-best quarterback by AP All-American voters? Distinguishing the impact of Gabriel's season against the years of Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders may depend on personal preference. On this week's episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast, hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene break down that very question and are even interrupted by a brief restoration of order: A first-team nod for Gabriel on another All-American team. Also discussed on this week's episode: • The seismic departure that is... the Idaho football coach? • No, no. The retirement of soccer legend Becky Sauerbrunn, a USWNT captain whose impact off the field changed the future of women's sports • A difference of opinion on who the Ducks should want to play in the Rose Bowl: Ohio State or Tennessee? • And much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With stars Bryce Boettcher and Dillon Gabriel busy on award stages, Oregon football has been putting in work in the transfer portal as it prepares for the Rose Bowl. We recap the week gone by on both fronts and discuss the upcoming Ohio State-Tennessee matchup — which will decide Oregon's next opponent — on this week's Ducks Confidential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Oregon Ducks are Big Ten champions. A thrilling win against Penn State earned Oregon the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and a Rose Bowl berth. What to make of Oregon's historic season so far, and their much-discussed path in the playoff? Ducks Confidential has you covered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oregon is going to the College Football Playoff. That's a given regardless of what happens in the Big Ten Championship game against Penn State. The question is whether the Ducks will earn a first-round bye and a direct pass to, presumably, the Rose Bowl, or if they will have to host a home game at Autzen Stadium in December. As the playoff field takes shape, Bill Oram and Brenna Greene, hosts of the Oregonian Sports Podcast, discuss what they like and don't like about the new system as the 12-team playoff works out the kinks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, examines all that went right and all that went wrong for the 8-14 Trail Blazers during the first quarter of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks capped an undefeated regular season with a thrashing of rival Washington on Saturday. Next up? A Big Ten championship game tilt with Penn State. Some in the sports media sphere think Oregon would benefit from a loss in this game to ease their hypothetical path in the College Football Playoff. This is not one of those podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should Oregon State have started Ben Gulbranson at quarterback from the outset? Does the defense need a tweak, or a major overhaul? What are the Beavers' biggest transfer portal needs? With Oregon State's 2024 season in the rearview mirror, it's time to get cracking on improvement and returning to bowl eligibility. Former Beavers defensive end Isaac Hodgins and The Oregonian/OregonLive's Nick Daschel discussed OSU's final game and the future on the latest Beaver Banter podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, goes over the impact of recent injuries, the inconsistent play of Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe and others, and if the 7-11 Blazers have played a little too well for their own good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After much ado about tiebreakers, Oregon football has clinched a spot in the Big Ten championship game. But first, the Ducks seek an undefeated finish to the regular season with a win against Washington. A preview of that UW game, plus a recap of the week gone by for men's and women's basketball, on this week's Ducks Confidential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Isaac Hodgins admits he's not sure he would have had Trent Brays' go-for-it guts late in Oregon State's 41-38 win over Washington State. But the Beavers' former defensive end liked the result, as well as the subtle differences on defense that made a difference. The Oregonian/OregonLive's Nick Daschel and Hodgins discussed everything that went into an OSU win that ended a five-game losing streak. Also on the podcast: a 10 a.m. kickoff in Boise, getting ready for an opponent on a short week, and Thanksgiving is a perfect day for a starving lineman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices