Everyone knew this season would be vastly different for the Oregon women’s basketball program, but no one could have predicted just how different.
The pandemic has put a damper on this season without the passionate fan base the Ducks have generated over the last few seasons.
But the season and the next chapter of Oregon women’s basketball did begin Saturday and even though nine new players suited up for the first time as Ducks, the result was eerily similar.
Led by Taylor Mikesell’s 28 points, the Ducks disposed of Seattle 116-51.
The sophomore transfer from Maryland buried seven threes in the first half and eight for the game. For a short while, it looked like Jaz Shelley’s team record of 10 treys in a single game might be in jeopardy.
“She’s one of the best shooters I’ve ever coached,” head coach Kelly Graves said of Mikesell.
Considering he’s had Sabrina Ionescu, Erin Boley, and Courtney Vander Sloot, that’s definitely high praise for Mikesell. But according to Oregon’s newest sharp-shooter, knocking down threes is just part of the deal.
“I always have confidence in myself, so when I’m shooting the ball if I miss it’s more of a fluke than anything else,” Mikesell said. “I just got a feeling in warmups and the energy of just being out on the court again was awesome.”
While Mikesell was bombing away from the outside, a familiar face was dominating inside the paint. Senior Lydia Giomi racked up her first double-double in her career with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
“(I’ve been) working on stepping out and taking that shot (the fade-away) and just really being more assertive in the post,” Giomi said.
The 6-4 center also said that she is thankful that she doesn’t have to guard Sedona Prince’s fade-away in a game situation. Prince, who stands at 6-7 and can move like a small forward, proved to be a tough defensive matchup for the smaller Seattle team. Prince is going to be a tough matchup for most teams in the country.
A transfer from Texas, Prince had hoped to play for the Ducks last season, but the NCAA put the kabosh on that. It might have been a blessing in disguise as it allowed her injured leg to heal completely. In her debut, Prince poured in 17 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Another player who has been more than patient to play for Oregon is Nyara Sabally. Satou’s younger sister had hoped to make it a family affair in Eugene, but leg injuries hampered the 6-5 forward. Now also at 100 percent, Sabally knocked the rust off with 10 points and six rebounds.
Graves knew that this day would eventually come, the day where Sabrina Ionescu, Ruthy Hebard and Satou Sabally would no longer be Ducks.
Replacing all-time legends like that is going to be tough, but he was able to sign the top recruiting class in the country.
At one point, all five of those recruits are on the floor at the same time.
Point guard Ta’Hina Paopao led the “Fab Five,” along with Kylee Watson, Maddie Scherr, Angela Dugalic, and Sydney Parrish for a four-minute stretch.
How those five fit in with the other veterans and newcomers will be interesting to watch as the season rolls along. Oregon is scheduled to go on the road Monday to play Portland inside the Chiles Center before the Pac-12 season comes.
Colorado is the first opponent in the 22-game conference schedule at Matthew Knight Arena Friday, Dec. 4.