Oregon

Bubble-team Oregon looks to secure NCAA bid vs. Colorado

Published

2 years ago

March 16, 2024

Bubble-team Oregon looks to secure NCAA bid vs. Colorado

LAS VEGAS — Oregon, the fourth seed in the Pac-12 Conference tournament, could be playing for its NCAA Tournament life when it takes on third-seeded Colorado in the conference title game on Saturday night.

The Ducks (22-11) likely need the automatic berth that will come with a victory in the final Pac-12 tourney, while the Buffaloes (24-9) have been considered to have done enough to deserve an at-large berth.

And that was before they knocked off No. 22-ranked and second-seeded Washington State 58-52 in a semifinal game on Friday night.

But the bigger stunner was Oregon’s earlier upset of sixth-ranked and top-seeded Arizona on Friday. The Ducks rallied from 14 down in the first half, went up 13 with about five minutes to go, and then held on to win 67-59.

Jermaine Couisnard and Jackson Shelstad combined for 41 points for Oregon, making 7 of 15 3-pointers. N’Faly Dante had 14 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and three steals despite missing about 12 minutes after suffering a leg injury early in the game.

“Those three really did some great things,” Oregon coach Dana Altman said. “Our energy wasn’t really good the first half when we were missing those shots. And we knocked those down and we got really good energy there.

“So we live another day.”

Colorado has won eight consecutive games, including 79-75 at Oregon on March 7. The Buffaloes earlier beat the visiting Ducks 86-70 on Jan. 18.

“We’re going to have to play a hell of a game to win,” Colorado coach Tad Boyle said of beating Oregon a third time.

Colorado’s KJ Simpson is averaging 19.5 points per game, and Boyle said he thinks Simpson is the best defensive point guard in the Pac-12.

“What’s the word you guys use?” Boyle asked rhetorically in his post-game press conference. “He’s a dawg.”

Tristan da Silva averages 16.0 points, and Eddie Lampkin Jr. has been a force down low, averaging 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, setting up an intriguing battle with Dante.

Colorado won the first Pac-12 tournament title in 2012 and could win the last one this season. Colorado and Oregon are among the teams leaving the Pac-12 after this season, with the Buffaloes headed to the Big 12 and the Ducks to the Big Ten.

–Anthony Gimino, Field Level Media

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Oregon

Here’s why Oregon statehood falls on Valentine’s Day

Published

5 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

Here’s why Oregon statehood falls on Valentine’s Day

It’s easy to remember the date when Oregon became a state because it shares it with Valentine’s Day.

Although it would have been sweet if the day was intentionally selected, it was not. That day in 1859 just happened to be when President James Buchanan signed the bill officially admitting Oregon as the 33rd state in the Union.

Oregon is the first state with a Feb. 14 anniversary of statehood. The event was celebrated at the Capitol Saturday with live music by the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association.

The group performed classic American folk songs and fiddle tunes such as “Bile ‘Em Cabbage Down,” also known as “Boil Them Cabbage Down.”

The earliest known printed version of the song appeared in 1878, meaning it was probably known by people on the Oregon Trail, said Cathy Yale, chairwoman of the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association’s District 8. There are 10 districts.

Oregon’s Anniversary of Statehood was celebrated at the Capitol Feb. 14 with live music by the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association.Kent Spendal

Musicians invited kids to a table to touch an old-fashioned cigar box guitar, autoharp, fiddle and mountain lap dulcimer.

People also had a chance to see the original Oregon Constitution protected in a glass case on view in the Capitol Galleria. The document will be returned to the Oregon State Archives.

For more on Oregon’s birthday, see Oregon-themed valentines created by OregonLive.com. The Peak Northwest podcast, celebrating Oregon’s birthday and beloved places in every part of this state, can be heard at OregonLive.com/podcasts.

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Oregon

Oregon bill bars public bodies from helping privatize federal lands

Published

17 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

Oregon bill bars public bodies from helping privatize federal lands

Oregon legislators are considering a bill that would prohibit public bodies from spending resources to help sell or transfer federal public lands to private interests.

“National public lands belong to all Americans, including all Oregonians,” Fiona Noonan, of Central Oregon LandWatch, said at a hearing on the bill Feb. 2.

For years, some congressional leaders have sought to privatize federal public lands. The effort has gotten a boost under the Trump administration.

A draft federal budget bill released last summer proposed selling off thousands of acres of Oregon public lands, including Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land. That provision was dropped from the bill.

Significant areas in Oregon, especially the areas around Mount Hood, have been targeted for privatization.

“This profiteering would eliminate public access and permanently degrade recreational experiences, local economies, and cultural and traditional uses throughout Oregon, and thwart long-term conservation management needed to sustain these resources for generations to come,” Ryan Houston, executive director of the Oregon Natural Desert Association, said in written testimony.

Senate Bill 1590 prohibits public bodies from using state or local funds, data, technology, equipment, personnel or other resources to help sell or transfer certain federal lands to private parties.

“Protecting Oregon’s federal land base, and the rivers that run through them, from privatization is vital to ensuring guaranteed public access for recreation, preservation of important wildlife habitats and ecosystems, maintenance of outdoor economies, and protection of cultural sites and clean water sources,” said Kimberley Priestley, of WaterWatch of Oregon.

The bill applies only to real property managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service or the National Park Service.

It contains multiple exemptions, including for property located within urban growth boundaries, surplus federal buildings, lands held in trust for, or transferred for the benefit of, a federally recognized tribe in Oregon or a tribal member, and transfers for infrastructure, utility or transportation purposes.

“It’s modeled after the sanctuary promise law that has long protected Oregonians from overbearing activity by the federal government,” said Sen. Anthony Broadman, D-Bend, the bill’s chief sponsor.

No one spoke against the bill at the hearing, although Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, testified in favor of a gut-and-stuff amendment that would have replaced it with a bill requiring the Oregon Department of Forestry to make changes to the draft Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan.

The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire voted Feb. 10 to send the bill to the Senate floor. It is not currently scheduled for further action.

Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on X at @Tracy_Loew

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Oregon

How to watch Penn State Nittany Lions: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Feb. 14

Published

1 day ago

February 13, 2026

Press Room

How to watch Penn State Nittany Lions: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Feb. 14

The Oregon Ducks and Freddie Filione V will duke it out when the Ducks (8-16, 1-12 Big Ten) take on the Penn State Nittany Lions (11-14, 2-12 Big Ten) at Matthew Knight Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. ET.

We provide more coverage below, including how to watch this game on BTN.

To prepare for this matchup, here’s what you need to get ready for Saturday’s college basketball action.

Oregon vs. Penn State: How to watch on TV or live stream

Game day: Saturday, February 14, 2026
Game time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Arena: Matthew Knight Arena
TV Channel: BTN
Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Oregon vs. Penn State stats and trends

Penn State scores 75.6 points per game and allow 78.8, ranking them 193rd in the nation offensively and 310th on defense.
On the glass, the Nittany Lions are second-worst in the nation in rebounds (26.9 per game). They are 174th in rebounds allowed (30.9 per game).
Penn State is 271st in the nation in assists (12.8 per game) in 2025-26.
In terms of turnovers, the Nittany Lions are 33rd in the country in committing them (9.4 per game). They are 163rd in forcing them (11.5 per game).
Penn State makes 7.2 3-pointers per game and shoots 32.7% from beyond the arc, ranking 249th and 252nd, respectively, in the nation.
In 2025-26 the Nittany Lions are 14th-worst in college basketball in 3-pointers conceded (9.6 per game) and -1-worst in defensive 3-point percentage (38.1%).
In 2025-26, Penn State has attempted 38.1% percent of its shots from behind the 3-point line, and 61.9% percent from inside it. In terms of made shots, 26.7% of Penn State’s buckets have been 3-pointers, and 73.3% have been 2-pointers.

Oregon vs. Penn State Odds and Spread

Spread Favorite: Ducks (-6.5)
Moneyline: Oregon (-293), Penn State (+233)
Total: 147.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Friday at 9:21 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

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Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.

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