Thursday, March 6
Indianapolis, Ind.
9 a.m.
University of Oregon
vs
Indiana
Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com
Tournament Time For UO Women's Basketball
03/05/25 | Women's Basketball
The Ducks traveled to Indianapolis on Tuesday for the Big Ten Tournament, looking to raise their level in the postseason.
INDIANAPOLIS — Wake-up call was early for the Oregon women's basketball team Wednesday, to help the Ducks adjust to living on Eastern Time for as long as they can stay alive in this week's Big Ten Tournament.
A few hours later, the UO women gathered in a hotel meeting room for film review of their opponent in Thursday's second round, Indiana. The team watched video of the Hoosiers prior to heading to practice at Marian University, just across the White River to the west of the team's hotel in downtown Indianapolis.
Assistant coach Jodie Berry led the film review, but head coach Kelly Graves chimed in regularly. Late in the session, he offered a big-picture admonition.
"It's tournament time, you guys," said Graves, who is looking to lead a team to the NCAA Tournament for the 14th time in his career, and the sixth time at Oregon. "We need everybody dialed in. The focus has gotta go up, and that starts today in practice."
The sentiment was understandable. But there are signs the Ducks have already received that message, thanks to their senior leader.
In the wake of Oregon's regular-season finale, a loss Sunday in Seattle that had no bearing on the Ducks' conference tournament seeding, senior guard Deja Kelly made a request of a staff member. She was looking for highlights of the team's last extended postseason runs, led by the likes of Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally a half-dozen years ago.
Once she had procured the clips, Kelly sent them Monday in a group chat to her teammates. The next morning, the Ducks were scheduled for a brief practice prior to departing for Indianapolis. Kelly suggested arriving even earlier to get up some extra shots before the postseason dawns.
The schedule showed brief film review at 6:50 a.m., followed by practice at 7 a.m. The practice courts showed a flock of Ducks there by 6:30 a.m., having answered Kelly's call to arrive early for extra shooting.
"People are locked in this time of the month and want to get better and want to be at their best," Kelly said. "It's definitely a good thing."
The Ducks spent their flight to Indianapolis on Tuesday resting and catching up on school work. After landing, the team headed to Marian University for the first time, to get their legs moving and blood flowing again after the four-hour trip.
It had been a long day, and the UO women were less than 48 hours removed from the sting of Sunday's loss. But it didn't show.
"We had a quick, short turnaround, and needed everyone to bring the energy," senior post Phillipina Kyei said after Tuesday evening's practice. "And I think everyone did."
The Ducks will face Indiana on Thursday at noon local, 9 a.m. back in Eugene. It potentially will be the first of four games in four days, with conference regular-season champion USC lurking in the quarterfinals Friday should Oregon advance Thursday.
Winning this tournament will be a daunting task. But in the lead-up to Thursday's tip-off, the Ducks looked ready to take it on.
"There's a different pep in your step around this time of year, and we're really excited going into this tournament," Kelly said. "Sunday's loss definitely lit a fire under us a little bit. And we know that we have a lot to play for — as well as a lot to prove still, too."
A few hours later, the UO women gathered in a hotel meeting room for film review of their opponent in Thursday's second round, Indiana. The team watched video of the Hoosiers prior to heading to practice at Marian University, just across the White River to the west of the team's hotel in downtown Indianapolis.
Assistant coach Jodie Berry led the film review, but head coach Kelly Graves chimed in regularly. Late in the session, he offered a big-picture admonition.
"It's tournament time, you guys," said Graves, who is looking to lead a team to the NCAA Tournament for the 14th time in his career, and the sixth time at Oregon. "We need everybody dialed in. The focus has gotta go up, and that starts today in practice."
The sentiment was understandable. But there are signs the Ducks have already received that message, thanks to their senior leader.
In the wake of Oregon's regular-season finale, a loss Sunday in Seattle that had no bearing on the Ducks' conference tournament seeding, senior guard Deja Kelly made a request of a staff member. She was looking for highlights of the team's last extended postseason runs, led by the likes of Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally a half-dozen years ago.
Once she had procured the clips, Kelly sent them Monday in a group chat to her teammates. The next morning, the Ducks were scheduled for a brief practice prior to departing for Indianapolis. Kelly suggested arriving even earlier to get up some extra shots before the postseason dawns.
The schedule showed brief film review at 6:50 a.m., followed by practice at 7 a.m. The practice courts showed a flock of Ducks there by 6:30 a.m., having answered Kelly's call to arrive early for extra shooting.
"People are locked in this time of the month and want to get better and want to be at their best," Kelly said. "It's definitely a good thing."
The Ducks spent their flight to Indianapolis on Tuesday resting and catching up on school work. After landing, the team headed to Marian University for the first time, to get their legs moving and blood flowing again after the four-hour trip.
It had been a long day, and the UO women were less than 48 hours removed from the sting of Sunday's loss. But it didn't show.
"We had a quick, short turnaround, and needed everyone to bring the energy," senior post Phillipina Kyei said after Tuesday evening's practice. "And I think everyone did."
The Ducks will face Indiana on Thursday at noon local, 9 a.m. back in Eugene. It potentially will be the first of four games in four days, with conference regular-season champion USC lurking in the quarterfinals Friday should Oregon advance Thursday.
Winning this tournament will be a daunting task. But in the lead-up to Thursday's tip-off, the Ducks looked ready to take it on.
"There's a different pep in your step around this time of year, and we're really excited going into this tournament," Kelly said. "Sunday's loss definitely lit a fire under us a little bit. And we know that we have a lot to play for — as well as a lot to prove still, too."
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's BasketballKelly Graves | Selection Sunday
Monday, March 17
Deja Kelly, Peyton Scott & Phillipina Kyei | Selection Sunday
Monday, March 17
Peyton Scott & Ari Long: "A good, competitive basketball game."
Thursday, February 27
Kelly Graves: "We've played really well."
Thursday, February 27
