Connect with us

Oregon

Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State basketball’s 68-52 win at Oregon

Published

on

Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State basketball’s 68-52 win at Oregon


play

1. MSU rides a couple great performances to a win in a game it could have lost

EUGENE, Ore. — That’s how you win the Big Ten. Not that performance by Michigan State — the Spartans will have to be better in several ways against stiffer tests later in conference play. But it’s partly games like this — when you find yourself in a battle on the road against a wounded team that seems connected and up for the fight — that decide championships and seeding in the NCAA tournament. 

For the second straight game in the Pacific Northwest, MSU wasn’t its best in some of the ways it has been this season. For the second straight game, it pulled away behind the deft play of point guard Jeremy Fears, and this time with outstanding games from two others in its core four, Carson Cooper and Coen Carr. 

Advertisement

On a night Jaxon Kohler found himself in foul trouble early and never got going offensively (taking just three shots), Carson Cooper was as close as he’ll ever be to Hakeem Olajuwon, scoring a career-high 19 points, on 8-of-10 shooting, to go with seven rebounds and four blocked shots. Coen Carr, with 15 points and eight rebounds, played with purpose we hadn’t seen from him in recent games.

And so MSU, which trailed 38-35 and led just 42-41, got away with a game that might have gone differently if not for a few great performances and a finish during which the Spartans showed a lot of the mettle we’ve seen all season.

MSU, now 17-2 and 7-1 in the Big Ten, needs wins over Maryland (Saturday) and at Rutgers (next Tuesday) to get to 9-1 at the turn of league play when Michigan visits Breslin Center on Jan. 30.

Coen Carr answers emphatically — and this should be his every night

Tom Izzo won’t have to stick up for Coen Carr after this one. Three days after declaring it would be a “cold day in Hell” before he gave up on Carr after Carr’s uninspiring performance at Washington and January struggles, Carr delivered an emphatic performance — best characterized by his driving layup through Oregon’s Sean Stewart to give the Spartans a 53-42 lead with 7:15 remaining. 

Advertisement

That play spoke to his mindset and aggression all night. Forget the shooting — hitting 3 of 5 3-pointers is nice and it would be outstanding for this team if he hit them more regularly. But it was the purpose with which he played all night that stood out.

Carr finished with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting. But he also pulled down eight rebounds and dished three assists, a couple of them really nice plays, in 27 minutes.

It was a heck of an answer to a lackluster start to the month. He also showed what he’s capable of — on the glass and as a playmaker — and that should be expected every night.

A Trey Fort sighting — when MSU needed it

Trey Fort has become the odd man out for MSU’s basketball team for most of this season. He’s behind Divine Ugochukwu, Kur Teng and Jordan Scott at shooting guard, largely because he hasn’t shown he can offer something at a higher level than those three. Ugochukwu gives the Spartans secondary ball-handling, Teng is the best shooter of the group and Scott is the best defender, rebounder and all-around impact guy.

Advertisement

If Fort were hitting shots at a higher clip than 29% from 3 and 32% from the floor — heading into Tuesday night — or a difference-maker defensively, he’d have a larger role. Instead, he’s getting single-digit minutes most nights, including just three against Northwestern, two against Indiana and five at Washington. To his credit, his body language and attitude have remained positive, at least in public settings and, by all accounts, around his teammates.

That’s important, because he’s a turned ankle from a much larger role. And still a capable player and shot-maker, and someone who can create his own shot — even if sometimes early this season it wasn’t the shot Tom Izzo and Co. wanted.

Tuesday at Oregon, he played 15 minutes, including the final 8:31 of the first half and more than six minutes in the second (another long stretch). He was what he hasn’t been for MSU regularly — a better option than Scott or Teng, neither of whom played aggressively or well. 

Fort hit two jump shots n the first half, the first to put MSU ahead 23-22 and then 25-22. Both came at the time the Spartans were struggling to find offense. In the second half, he entered the game with 13:52 remaining with MSU trailing 38-35 and completely out of sorts offensively. On MSU’s second possession with him in the game, Fort came off a screen and buried an 18-foot jumper. He then buried a 3 from the right side to put the Spartans ahead 42-38 with 11 minutes remaining.

Fort is a fearless shooter, which is both a strength and a weakness. On this night, it was a strength, his confidence needed. 

Advertisement

MSU was plus-12 with Fort in the game in those 15 minutes and he finished an efficient 4-for-5 from the floor in two extended stints. These weren’t planned stints. But he’ll get more of them in the future because of it. And MSU will likely be quicker to go to him when the others aren’t producing. He got his opportunity and delivered when the Spartans needed it.

“Trey let the game come to him, instead of forcing the game,” Izzo said. “I was not only impressed, but I was excited for him. It’s been a rough go for him.”

Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on X @Graham_Couch and BlueSky @GrahamCouch.



Source link

Advertisement

Oregon

Oregonians can go crabbing, fishing fee-free for 1 weekend in June

Published

on

Oregonians can go crabbing, fishing fee-free for 1 weekend in June


play

Oregonians can fish, clam and crab for free during Oregon’s annual Free Fishing Weekend in June.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said it will hold another free fishing weekend June 6-7, offering all Oregonians and nonresidents the chance to fish for free across the state for two days.

Advertisement

 No fishing or shellfish licenses or tags, endorsements or validations are required on these days. Oregon State Parks will also offer free parking at state parks on June 6.

While fishing may be free, ODFW said that all other fishing regulations apply. That includes single rod limitations, bag limits, size restrictions and closures.

Fishing regulations are available online and MyODFW.com for any in-season regulation updates.

Here’s what to know about Oregon June 2026 free fishing weekend.

Advertisement

Will Oregon lakes be stocked for 2026 free fishing weekend?

ODFW will be stocking many of Oregon’s lakes and ponds with rainbow trout for free fishing weekend.

People are encouraged to visit the recreation report at ODFW’s website to find the best fishing spots, and to check out the trout stocking schedule for stocking locations.

ODFW said that drought conditions will make a difference this year and some smaller lakes and ponds might be warmer than usual. The agency suggested fishing earlier in the day or fishing for warm water fish like bass, bluegill and crappie.

How to go crabbing and clamming during Oregon’s June 2026 free fishing weekend

For Oregonians who have never tried crabbing or clamming, free fishing weekend can be a good opportunity to learn.

Advertisement

ODFW provides information on how to get started crabbing on its website. It includes tips and tricks on how to crab, where to crab, how to measure a crab and how to tell if it is male or female.

People can also visit the website for information on how to get started clamming, including how to dig for clams, where to dig for clams and what species to look for.

As of May 26, crabbing is open coastwide. Razor clamming is only allowed from the Washington border to Cape Blanco. It is currently prohibited from Cape Blanco to the California border.

The agency warns that closures can happen at any time, especially closures related to shellfish biotoxins, or toxins carried by shellfish that can cause serious illness.

Advertisement

For updated recreational shellfish biotoxin closures, visit the ODA website or call the shellfish biotoxin hotline at 1-800-448-2474.

To get updated harvesting statuses, people can visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture website.

To check for additional closures during free fishing weekend, people can visit myodfw.com.

What are some events happening during fishing weekend?

ODFW and volunteers will be hosting free events around Oregon on June 6. These events will offer equipment and hands-on instruction for beginners learning how to fish.

Some of the scheduled events include:

Advertisement
  • Twin Ponds in Ukiah from 9 a.m. to noon on June 6
  • Olalla Reservoir in Toledo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 6
  • Silverton Marine Park in Silverton from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 6
  • Cleawox Lake in Florence from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 6
  • Henry Hagg Lake in Gaston from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 6
  • Alton Baker Park in Eugene will hold a youth-only event for anglers 17 and younger from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 6
  • Small Fry Lake in Estacada from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 6.

Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval is a lifelong Oregonian who covers trending news, entertainment, food and outdoors. She can be reached at GSandoval@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.



Source link

Continue Reading

Oregon

Oregon Shuts Down Washington State 4-0 in Eugene Regional

Published

on

Oregon Shuts Down Washington State 4-0 in Eugene Regional



Oregon State Baseball Stays Alive With 9-2 Win Over Yale

Through the first four innings, the game was a pitcher’s duel, with the only base runner being Washington State’s Cam Macleod, who was hit by a pitch in the third inning. Oregon starting pitcher Will Sanford was putting on a clinic, striking out ten Cougars in the first four innings.

In the top of the fifth, the Duck bats started working. Burke-Lee Mabeus hit a double to right center, and then Maddox Molony was walked. Oregon had two base runners, but two outs on the board, and the eighth player in their rotation, Jax Gimenez, was coming to the plate. Gimenez got the job done, hitting a short single to right to score Mabeus and put Oregon up 1-0.

Advertisement


The Good, The Bad, and What’s Next After Oregon State’s NCAA Tournament Win Over Yale

Advertisement

Washington State came close to evening things in the bottom of the fifth. After striking out Dustin Robinson and forcing a ground out from Ryan Skjonsby, Sanford walked Ollie Obenour. Cam Macleod then hit a single, WSU’s first hit of the game, to put a runner in scoring position. Sanford remained clutch on the mound however, striking out Kyler Northrup, his twelfth K of the game, to end the inning.

Sanford picked up his 13th strikeout in the bottom of the sixth, and his 14th in the bottom of the seventh, but ended his day shortly after, having walked Dustin Robinson. Tanner Bradley came in for Oregon and finished off the inning, keeping the Ducks one run lead in place.


Oregon State Comeback Bid Falls Short in Eugene Regional Opener, 3-2

Washington State starter had his day end in the top of the eight, after picking up his seventh strikeout. His game will be overshadowed by Sanford, but Myers also had an impressive day, allowing five hits, two walks and one run in his 7.1 innings pitched. Scott Rienguette came in to close out the inning, giving Washington State six outs to get a run.

Advertisement

The Cougs didn’t get one in the bottom of the eighth, going three up three down, and got into trouble in the top of the ninth. Angel Laya led off with a single, and was replaced by pinch runner Elijah Cook. Cook moved to second on a bunt, and then Brayden Jaksa was walked. A fielder’s chocie from Burke-Lee Mabeus got Washington State a second out, but runners at the corners.

Advertisement


Eugene Regional Preview: Meet The Washington State Cougars

Naulivou Lauaki then came to the plate, and blasted the ball over the center field wall, giving Oregon a 4-0 lead headed into the final frame. Gavin Roy grounded out for the first out, but Max Hartman then singled to give the Cougars some hope. A wild pitch Matt Priest advanced Hartmna, but Priest struck out swinging. Dustin Robinson then struck out, sending Washington State to the loser’s bracket.

Washington State and Oregon State will play one last time tomorrow, with the winner having the tough task of taking down the Ducks twice on their home field to keep their Omaha hopes alive.

Add us as a preferred source on Google



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Oregon

Cruise ship rescues stranded mariner off Oregon coast

Published

on

Cruise ship rescues stranded mariner off Oregon coast


play

A cruise ship rescued a Canadian man stranded on his boat nearly 500 miles of the Oregon coast on May 26, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The 74-year-old man, who the agency did not name, was sailing from Hawaii to British Columbia when his vessel ran into gale-force winds and 30-foot high waves. The 29-foot boat’s engine failed and the mast broke, injuring the man’s shoulder.

Advertisement

He’s made the same trip four times before, Coast Guard officials said, and had food, water, a life raft and a life jacket on board. The mariner used his handheld satellite communicator to contact the U.S. Coast Guard’s Northwest District, which the agency used to track him.

He was rescued 489 miles off the coast of Tillamook.

“This mariner’s experience and preparedness allowed the Coast Guard and other agencies to communicate with him and effect a rescue,” Coast Guard Northwest District Search and Rescue Program Manager Scott Giard said. “His foresight to bring a satellite communicator averted a tragedy.

Coast Guard officials deployed a C-27J cargo plane from Sacramento, California, to function as their “eye in the sky” as they coordinated the rescue because he was so far from the shore.

Advertisement

The plane assessed the state of the sea and the damage to the vessel. It was also equipped with life rafts, communication gear and rations that could sustain a survivor while responders coordinate the rescue, officials said.

Coast Guard officials contacted a cruise ship, the Silver Whisper, that went 120 off its charted course to rescue the stranded Canadian man. The Coast Guard found the Silver Whisper by tapping into its Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue system, a global network that tracks the positions of commercial ships that participate in the program.

Eder Campuzano is the local news editor for the Statesman Journal. He can can be reached at ecampuzano@statesmanjournal.com. Find him on Bluesky at @ederc.bsky.social or Threads @ederc.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending