Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com
Ducks Hand Altman 600th Victory
11/17/17 | Men's Basketball
Oregon beat Alabama State 114-56 on Friday to make Dana Altman the 34th all-time D-I coach with 600 career victories.
EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon men's basketball team handed head coach Dana Altman the 600th NCAA Division I coaching victory of his career, a 114-56 defeat Friday of Alabama State before 8,100 fans in Matthew Knight Arena.
Altman became the 10th active D-I coach with 600 career wins, and the 34th all-time. "I've had really good guys that worked with me, and then the schools I've worked at — Oregon, Creighton, Kansas State, Marshall — basketball is important to all those schools," Altman said. "I've been really fortunate to work at great places, had great staffs to work with, and great players."
How It Happened: The Ducks (3-0) came out hot, making 12 of their first 14 field-goal attempts to take an early lead. Oregon held the Hornets (0-4) without a point for 3:33 of the first half, scoring 11 unanswered points for a 31-10 lead. Later, the Ducks made five three-point attempts in five possessions, the last by Payton Pritchard for a 57-24 advantage.
Up 57-26 at halftime, the Ducks got into a back-and-forth swing with Alabama State out of the break. But with the score 66-39 after a Hornets three-pointer, Oregon held the visitors without a point for the next 6:51, and without a field goal for the next 7:48, going up 91-40 on a three-point play by Keith Smith with 7:36 to play.

Who Stood Out: Kenny Wooten led six scorers in double figures with 19 points, and added 13 rebounds for his first career double-double. The lanky post also blocked five shots, helping the Ducks hold the Hornets to .345 shooting overall. Oregon, meanwhile, shot .625 both overall and from three-point range, with eight different Ducks hitting a three. Elijah Brown and Pritchard each went 3-of-4 from three, and they combined for 13 assists.
What It Means: The Ducks gave their head coach his 600th career win in emphatic fashion, and also put forth their most complete performance to date in this young season.
Quotable
Head coach Dana Altman
On the progress through three games
"We've made a step in each game. I think our energy level was better, our execution was better; defensively at times they were better. … They wanted to play better. They practiced a little better; I thought we had a couple good practices Wednesday and Thursday, so I thought we'd play good tonight. It was better today."
Senior guard Elijah Brown
On Oregon's execution overall
"We felt like we made some pretty good progress, especially on the defensive end. We defended better, we rebounded better, we shared the ball, scored a lot of points, got out in transition a bit. We can cut our turnovers down a little bit — that's one negative I have — but overall it was pretty complete."
Freshman wing Abu Kigab
On Wooten's defensive presence
"Kenny's presence is definitely felt. Having him in practice, knowing he's behind you, gives you a sense of comfort. It really makes you play harder on the ball, so he really helps the whole team. He's a difference maker."
Notable: Senior Roman Sorkin did not suit up due to a foot problem, Altman said. The UO coach said he hopes to have Sorkin back Sunday but won't rush him. … The Oregon football team attended the first half before returning to the team hotel to rest up for Saturday's game against Arizona (4:15 p.m., Pac-12 Network). … Altman is 10th among active career coaches with his 600 wins, three fewer than his good friend, Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger. The Sooners beat Oregon's next opponent, Ball State, 108-69 on Wednesday.
Up Next: The Ducks close out their season-opening four-game homestand when they host Ball State on Sunday (6 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
Altman became the 10th active D-I coach with 600 career wins, and the 34th all-time. "I've had really good guys that worked with me, and then the schools I've worked at — Oregon, Creighton, Kansas State, Marshall — basketball is important to all those schools," Altman said. "I've been really fortunate to work at great places, had great staffs to work with, and great players."
How It Happened: The Ducks (3-0) came out hot, making 12 of their first 14 field-goal attempts to take an early lead. Oregon held the Hornets (0-4) without a point for 3:33 of the first half, scoring 11 unanswered points for a 31-10 lead. Later, the Ducks made five three-point attempts in five possessions, the last by Payton Pritchard for a 57-24 advantage.
Up 57-26 at halftime, the Ducks got into a back-and-forth swing with Alabama State out of the break. But with the score 66-39 after a Hornets three-pointer, Oregon held the visitors without a point for the next 6:51, and without a field goal for the next 7:48, going up 91-40 on a three-point play by Keith Smith with 7:36 to play.
Who Stood Out: Kenny Wooten led six scorers in double figures with 19 points, and added 13 rebounds for his first career double-double. The lanky post also blocked five shots, helping the Ducks hold the Hornets to .345 shooting overall. Oregon, meanwhile, shot .625 both overall and from three-point range, with eight different Ducks hitting a three. Elijah Brown and Pritchard each went 3-of-4 from three, and they combined for 13 assists.
What It Means: The Ducks gave their head coach his 600th career win in emphatic fashion, and also put forth their most complete performance to date in this young season.
Quotable
Head coach Dana Altman
On the progress through three games
"We've made a step in each game. I think our energy level was better, our execution was better; defensively at times they were better. … They wanted to play better. They practiced a little better; I thought we had a couple good practices Wednesday and Thursday, so I thought we'd play good tonight. It was better today."
Senior guard Elijah Brown
On Oregon's execution overall
"We felt like we made some pretty good progress, especially on the defensive end. We defended better, we rebounded better, we shared the ball, scored a lot of points, got out in transition a bit. We can cut our turnovers down a little bit — that's one negative I have — but overall it was pretty complete."
Freshman wing Abu Kigab
On Wooten's defensive presence
"Kenny's presence is definitely felt. Having him in practice, knowing he's behind you, gives you a sense of comfort. It really makes you play harder on the ball, so he really helps the whole team. He's a difference maker."
Notable: Senior Roman Sorkin did not suit up due to a foot problem, Altman said. The UO coach said he hopes to have Sorkin back Sunday but won't rush him. … The Oregon football team attended the first half before returning to the team hotel to rest up for Saturday's game against Arizona (4:15 p.m., Pac-12 Network). … Altman is 10th among active career coaches with his 600 wins, three fewer than his good friend, Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger. The Sooners beat Oregon's next opponent, Ball State, 108-69 on Wednesday.
Up Next: The Ducks close out their season-opening four-game homestand when they host Ball State on Sunday (6 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
Team Stats
ALST
ORE
FG%
.345
.625
3FG%
.368
.625
FT%
.692
.760
RB
20
46
TO
17
15
STL
5
12
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Kwame Evans Jr. | Postgame vs. Portland
Thursday, December 18
Dana Altman | Postgame vs. Portland
Thursday, December 18
Takai Simpkins & Jackson Shelstad | Postgame vs. UC Davis
Sunday, December 14
Dana Altman | Postgame vs. UC Davis
Sunday, December 14














