UPA 2003 COLLEGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
University of Oregon
How they got here:
1st in Northwest Region
Scouting Report
After emerging from one of the toughest regions by beating defending champs Stanford and getting revenge over sectionals rival Oregon State, there may be no team more exciting to watch on offense in Austin than Oregon EGO. Oregon will lull you to sleep with a conservative dump and swing offense before exploding with possibly the best deep game in the country. The throwers leading the Ego aerial assault include sophomore Seth Wiggins (#10), Graduate Student Justin Grishkin (#8), and the spirit of the Oregon team, Ben Wiggins (#1). Wiggins has pulled to the front of the Callahan race with an arsenal of throws that are unmatched in College ultimate. Ranging from conventional hucks and breaks to more crowd-friendly blades and hammers, expect Wiggins to pull out any throw, at anytime, from any point on the field - and complete most of them. A stable of tall deep receivers shares the enviable task of being on the deep of Wiggins' bombs, but defenses should also be prepared for handlers cutting long from behind the disc. Containing Wiggins is the key to stopping the Oregon offense - good luck.
On defense Oregon plays an excellent zone and a switching man defense that capitalizes on opponents' poor choices. Doug McKenzie (#12) leads the defensive unit and can cover a lot of ground quickly with his 6'1" size, enormous layouts and impressive skies. He'll also hurt you on the turn and is primary look when Oregon needs a big goal.
Oregon's biggest weakness this year seems to come from within. For a team with so much talent, Ego has suffered a surprising number of defeats, though many were early in the season. The mistakes that led to these setbacks appear to be behind them after an amazing Regional tournament performance, but their wide-open style of play leaves Oregon susceptible to the upset on an off day. Oregon also knows how to win the big games and has already beaten top national competition such as Texas, Colorado, and Wisconsin.
A team that appears to have more fun than anyone else on the field, it sometimes seems difficult to consider Oregon as a national powerhouse. But, with a bona fide star in Ben Wiggins and talented team that has learned how to win the big games, don't be surprised to see Ego coming down with some crazy hammers on Sunday in Austin.
Self-reported stats
Big season wins:
Beat Texas, Colorado, Cal-Berkeley, Humboldt, UW, San Diego en route to
winning President's Day.
Beat Wisconsin, UMass and Colorado at Easterns
Beat Santa Cruz, Stanford and Oregon State en route to winning NW Regionals
Big season losses:
Lost to Brown and Santa Barbara at Stanford Invite.
Lost to Cal-Berkeley at Easterns.
Lost to NCState at Ultimax.
Lost to Oregon State at Sectionals.
Players to watch on offense:
Ben Wiggins (5'10'', sr, #1)
Doug Mckenzie (6'1'', sr, #12)
Justin Grishkin (5'11'', grad, #8)
Seth Wiggins (6'1'', soph, #10)
Players to watch on defense:
Ben Wiggins (5'10'', sr, #1)
Doug Mckenzie (6'1'', sr, #12)
Justin Grishkin (5'11'', grad, #8)
Seth Wiggins (6'1'', soph, #10)