Ducks Men Lose Pac-12 Championship, Gain 3 Seed In Midwest Regional

It was a split decision day for the University of Oregon's men's basketball team. The number five Ducks fell to number seven Arizona in the Pac-12 Championship game hours before finding out they would receive a three-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

They will travel to Sacramento, CA. to play 14-seed Iona Friday morning in the Midwest Regional.

HAVE PATCH EMAIL YOU ALL THE LATEST NEWS

The Ducks had been down by as much as 14 before battling to make it a close three-point loss to Arizona.

"We've got to bounce back from here — and we've got the group to do it," UO coach Dana Altman said at the Ducks' Selection Sunday watch party. "They're very competitive. I'd sure like to work with them three more weeks, but to do that we've got to think about it one game at a time."

This is the Ducks fifth straight trip to the NCAA under Altman though last year they received their first-ever Number 1 seed. They lost in the Elite Eight round.

"This time of year, this never gets old," Altman said. "This is an exciting time. And to be in the top 12 in the country, we're in a good spot."

Their opponent, Iona, won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's automatic bid for a second straight year after beating Siena in a dramatic 87-86 OT win their conference championship game.

If the Ducks make it through the first round they could find themselves playing Creighton - Altman's former program. They first have to get through Rhode Island.

Photo UO