1938–39 Oregon Ducks men's basketball team
Encyclopedia
The 1938–39 Oregon Ducks men's basketball team was a Division I college basketball
team that represented the University of Oregon
. The Ducks
, coached by Howard Hobson
, played in the Pacific Coast Conference
(PCC) and compiled a 29–5 won–loss record in regular and postseason competition. After winning the PCC title, they became the champions of the inaugural NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
.
called the Ducks the "Tall Firs" due to the height of the team's players, with whom Oregon was taller than most other teams of the era. Three Ducks were named to the All-America
team following the season: 6'8" center
Slim Wintermute
, 6'4" forward Lauren Gale
, and 5'8" guard Bobby Anet
. Other players on the team included 6'4" forward John H. Dick and 5'11" guard Wally Johansen
. Ford Mullen
, a future Major League Baseball
player, was a backup guard on the team. Oregon's entire starting lineup returned from its 1937–38 team, which had lost a conference championship playoff to Stanford
. Also returning was the Ducks' head coach, Howard Hobson
, who was in his fourth season on the job.
Oregon's preferred offensive game plan was to play an attacking fast break style of basketball. In response, opposing teams with shorter players often played a slower-paced offense; as a result, Hobson wound up supporting a shot clock
in college basketball. On defense, the team switched between zone
and man-to-man
styles depending on how its opponent played.
51–24 on November 29, 1938. Oregon then recorded victories against Multinomah AC, Signal Oil, and Pacific Packards by at least 12 points each. Following those games, the Ducks embarked on a long trip through the Eastern United States; they were the first college basketball team from the West Coast to do so. The first game of the trip came in December at New York City's Madison Square Garden
against City College of New York
(CCNY). Oregon had a poor start to the game; according to the Sporting News, the team was "confused by officials' interpretation of legal and illegal screens
to the moving picks set by City College of New York." Despite a comeback attempt late in the game by Oregon, CCNY won 38–36 to hand the Ducks their first loss of the season. The trip continued with stops in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, among other locations. The Ducks went 6–1 in the seven games following the CCNY loss; their only loss in that stretch came against Bradley
. The final game of the road trip, held in San Francisco on New Year's Eve, saw the Ducks lose to Stanford.
At the beginning of 1939, the Ducks began their PCC schedule with consecutive home games against Washington State
, winning the first and losing the second. Oregon then began a 10-game winning streak, their longest since the start of the 1937–38 season. Idaho
lost four times to the Ducks during the streak, and Oregon State
, Washington, and Washington State were defeated twice each. On February 18, the Ducks' streak ended with a 50–31 loss to Oregon State, which would be their last of the season. Six days later, the Ducks posted a 48–37 win over the Beavers. On March 3 and 4, Oregon defeated Washington for the third and fourth times that season, respectively, of the Huskies' five losses, all but one was against the Ducks. By the end of the regular season, Oregon had won the PCC North Division with a 14–2 conference record, and had a 24–5 record overall.
By winning the PCC North Division, the Ducks earned the right to play the winner of the South Division, California
, in a best-of-three playoff series. The series was held at McArthur Court
, the Ducks' home arena. In addition to the PCC championship, the winner would gain a berth in the first NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
, which the National Association of Basketball Coaches
would run. The first game was won by the Ducks, 54–40; more than half the Ducks' points were scored by Gale and Wintermute, who had 18 and 11 respectively. Oregon clinched a two-game sweep with a 53–47 victory in the second game; Dick and Wintermute contributed 16 points apiece.
The Ducks advanced to the NCAA Tournament's West Regional, which was held on March 20 and 21 in San Francisco. First, Oregon defeated Texas
in the first round by a score of 56–41. Wintermute had 14 points in the game, and Dick added 13. In the regional final against Oklahoma
, Dick had 14 points and Gale and Wintermute scored 11 and 10, respectively. Oregon advanced to the national championship game with a 55–37 victory. The title game was held on March 27 in Northwestern University
's Patten Gymnasium
. The Ducks' opponent was Ohio State
, who had won the East Regional by winning against Wake Forest
and Villanova
.
Oregon took advantage of the Buckeyes' defense, which was designed to stop Gale and Wintermute, by using Gale as "a decoy", in his words. This created an opportunity for contributions from the Ducks' other players, including Dick, who led both teams by scoring 15 points. On Ohio State's offensive possessions, the Ducks used a match-up zone defense
, which held the Buckeyes' field goal percentage
to 17 percent for the game. The Ducks held a five-point lead at halftime
, and pulled away in the second half to win the national championship, 46–33. Afterward came what Dick termed "a two-handed trophy presentation"; during the game, Anet had broken a figure off the top of the championship trophy while attempting to gain possession of the ball by the sideline.
in 1965, and Gale followed him into the Hall 12 years later. The entire 1938–39 Oregon team has been enshrined in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
, and Anet, Dick, Gale, Hobson, Johansen, and Wintermute were inducted as individuals. The University of Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame selected the team and Hobson as part of its inaugural class of inductees in 1992. Dick and Gale (1993), Wintermute (1994), and Anet and Johansen (1996) were also inducted in later years. All five of the team's starters have had their numbers retired by the university.
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
team that represented the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
. The Ducks
Oregon Ducks men's basketball
Oregon Ducks men’s college basketball is an intercollegiate basketball program that competes in the NCAA Division I and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference, representing the University of Oregon. The Ducks play their home games at Matthew Knight Arena. Oregon, then coached by Howard Hobson, won...
, coached by Howard Hobson
Howard Hobson
Howard Andrew "Hobby" Hobson was a college basketball coach, who authored numerous books on the subject. He also has the distinction of coaching the team who won the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship with the Oregon Ducks in its inaugural year of 1939.-Playing career:Hobson...
, played in the Pacific Coast Conference
Pacific Coast Conference
The Pacific Coast Conference was a college athletic conference in the United States which existed from 1915 to 1959. Though the Pacific-12 Conference claims the PCC's history as part of its own, the older league had a completely different charter and was disbanded in 1959 due to a major crisis...
(PCC) and compiled a 29–5 won–loss record in regular and postseason competition. After winning the PCC title, they became the champions of the inaugural NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
1939 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
-External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page.-See also:* 1939 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament...
.
Roster
Newspaper editor L. H. GregoryL. H. Gregory
William Lair Hill Gregory was a 20th century American sportswriter and sports editor for The Oregonian newspaper of Portland, Oregon for more than 50 years. His popular column, "Greg's Gossip," was standard morning reading for several generations of Portland sports fans.-Early life and career:Born...
called the Ducks the "Tall Firs" due to the height of the team's players, with whom Oregon was taller than most other teams of the era. Three Ducks were named to the All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
team following the season: 6'8" center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
Slim Wintermute
Slim Wintermute
Urgel "Slim" Wintermute was an American collegiate and professional basketball player.-Collegiate career:...
, 6'4" forward Lauren Gale
Lauren Gale
Lauren "Laddie" Gale was an American collegiate and professional basketball player.-NCAA championship:A native of Oakridge, Oregon, the 6'4" Gale played forward for the University of Oregon under head coach Howard Hobson...
, and 5'8" guard Bobby Anet
Bobby Anet
Charles Robert "Bobby" Anet was a college basketball guard who helped guide the University of Oregon to win the inaugural NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament championship in 1938–39...
. Other players on the team included 6'4" forward John H. Dick and 5'11" guard Wally Johansen
Wally Johansen
Wallace A. "Wally" Johansen was a college basketball guard who played for the University of Oregon when it won the inaugural NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament championship in 1938–39.-Early life:...
. Ford Mullen
Moon Mullen
Ford Parker "Moon" Mullen is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played one year for the Philadelphia Blue Jays during the season. Listed at 5' 9", 165 lb., Mullen batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, a future Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player, was a backup guard on the team. Oregon's entire starting lineup returned from its 1937–38 team, which had lost a conference championship playoff to Stanford
Stanford Cardinal men's basketball
The Stanford Cardinal Men's Basketball team represents Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference. The team has won 13 conference championships , the last in 2004, and one NCAA championship, in 1942...
. Also returning was the Ducks' head coach, Howard Hobson
Howard Hobson
Howard Andrew "Hobby" Hobson was a college basketball coach, who authored numerous books on the subject. He also has the distinction of coaching the team who won the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship with the Oregon Ducks in its inaugural year of 1939.-Playing career:Hobson...
, who was in his fourth season on the job.
Oregon's preferred offensive game plan was to play an attacking fast break style of basketball. In response, opposing teams with shorter players often played a slower-paced offense; as a result, Hobson wound up supporting a shot clock
Shot clock
A shot clock is used in some sports to quicken the pace of the game. It is normally associated with basketball, but has also found use in sports such as snooker, professional lacrosse, water polo, and korfball....
in college basketball. On defense, the team switched between zone
Zone defense
Zone defense is a type of defense, used in team sports, which is the alternative to man-to-man defense; instead of each player guarding a corresponding player on the other team, each defensive player is given an area known as a "zone" to cover....
and man-to-man
Man-to-man defense
Man-to-man defense is a type of defensive tactic used in American football, association football, and basketball in which each player is assigned to defend and follow the movements of a single player on offense. Often, a player guards his counterpart , but a player may be assigned to guard a...
styles depending on how its opponent played.
| Name | # | Position | Height | Year | Home Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Anet Bobby Anet Charles Robert "Bobby" Anet was a college basketball guard who helped guide the University of Oregon to win the inaugural NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament championship in 1938–39... |
20 | Guard | 5–8 | Senior | Astoria, OR Astoria, Oregon Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811... |
| John Dick | 18 | Forward | 6–4 | Junior | The Dalles, OR The Dalles, Oregon The Dalles is the largest city and county seat of Wasco County, Oregon, United States. The name of the city comes from the French word dalle The Dalles is the largest city and county seat of Wasco County, Oregon, United States. The name of the city comes from the French word dalle The Dalles is... |
| Lauren Gale Lauren Gale Lauren "Laddie" Gale was an American collegiate and professional basketball player.-NCAA championship:A native of Oakridge, Oregon, the 6'4" Gale played forward for the University of Oregon under head coach Howard Hobson... |
28 | Forward | 6–4 | Senior | Oakridge, OR Oakridge, Oregon Oakridge is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States. The population was estimated at 3,205 in 2010. It is located east of Westfir on Oregon Route 58, about east of Eugene, and southeast of Portland... |
| Bob Hardy | 40 | Forward | 6–3 | Senior | Ashland, OR Ashland, Oregon Ashland is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States, near Interstate 5 and the California border, and located in the south end of the Rogue Valley. It was named after Ashland County, Ohio, point of origin of Abel Helman and other founders, and secondarily for Ashland, Kentucky, where other... |
| Wally Johansen Wally Johansen Wallace A. "Wally" Johansen was a college basketball guard who played for the University of Oregon when it won the inaugural NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament championship in 1938–39.-Early life:... |
32 | Guard | 5–11 | Senior | Astoria, OR Astoria, Oregon Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811... |
| Red McNeely | 15 | Guard | 6–2 | Sophomore | Astoria, OR Astoria, Oregon Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811... |
| Ford Mullen Moon Mullen Ford Parker "Moon" Mullen is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played one year for the Philadelphia Blue Jays during the season. Listed at 5' 9", 165 lb., Mullen batted left-handed and threw right-handed... |
13 | Guard | 5–8 | Junior | Olympia, WA Olympia, Washington Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. It was incorporated on January 28, 1859. The population was 46,478 at the 2010 census... |
| Matt Pavalunas | 11 | Guard | 6–0 | Junior | Raymond, WA Raymond, Washington Raymond is a city in Pacific County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,975 at the 2000 census and decreased 3.1% to 2,882 at the 2010 census. The town's economy is based on logging and fishing, together with a limited amount of tourism.... |
| Earl Sandness | 36 | Center | 6–4 | Sophomore | Astoria, OR Astoria, Oregon Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811... |
| Ted Sarpola | 25 | Forward | 6–2 | Junior | Astoria, OR Astoria, Oregon Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811... |
| Slim Wintermute Slim Wintermute Urgel "Slim" Wintermute was an American collegiate and professional basketball player.-Collegiate career:... |
22 | Center | 6–8 | Senior | Longview, WA Longview, Washington Longview is a city in Cowlitz County, Washington, United States. It is the principal city of the "Longview, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area", which encompasses all of Cowlitz County. Longview's population was 36,648 at the time of the 2010 census and is the largest city in Cowlitz County... |
Regular season
The Ducks began the 1938–39 season by defeating PortlandPortland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
51–24 on November 29, 1938. Oregon then recorded victories against Multinomah AC, Signal Oil, and Pacific Packards by at least 12 points each. Following those games, the Ducks embarked on a long trip through the Eastern United States; they were the first college basketball team from the West Coast to do so. The first game of the trip came in December at New York City's Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden (1925)
Madison Square Garden was an indoor arena in New York City, the third of that name. It was built in 1925 and closed in 1968, and was located on Eighth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets in Manhattan on the site of the city's trolley car barns. It was the first Garden that was not located near...
against City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
(CCNY). Oregon had a poor start to the game; according to the Sporting News, the team was "confused by officials' interpretation of legal and illegal screens
Screen (sports)
A screen is a blocking move by an offensive player, by standing beside or behind a defender, to free a teammate to shoot, receive a pass, or drive in to score. In basketball, it is also known as a pick. Screens can be on-ball , or off-ball...
to the moving picks set by City College of New York." Despite a comeback attempt late in the game by Oregon, CCNY won 38–36 to hand the Ducks their first loss of the season. The trip continued with stops in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, among other locations. The Ducks went 6–1 in the seven games following the CCNY loss; their only loss in that stretch came against Bradley
Bradley Braves men's basketball
The Bradley Braves men's basketball team represents Bradley University, located in Peoria, Illinois, in NCAA Division I basketball competition. They currently compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2006, reaching the...
. The final game of the road trip, held in San Francisco on New Year's Eve, saw the Ducks lose to Stanford.
At the beginning of 1939, the Ducks began their PCC schedule with consecutive home games against Washington State
Washington State Cougars men's basketball
The Washington State Cougars Men's Basketball team represents Washington State University and competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I...
, winning the first and losing the second. Oregon then began a 10-game winning streak, their longest since the start of the 1937–38 season. Idaho
Idaho Vandals
The Idaho Vandals are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Idaho. They participate in NCAA Division I - FBS in the Western Athletic Conference ....
lost four times to the Ducks during the streak, and Oregon State
Oregon State Beavers men's basketball
The Oregon State Beavers men's basketball program, established in 1901, is the intercollegiate men's basketball program of the Oregon State University Beavers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference. The team is coached by Craig...
, Washington, and Washington State were defeated twice each. On February 18, the Ducks' streak ended with a 50–31 loss to Oregon State, which would be their last of the season. Six days later, the Ducks posted a 48–37 win over the Beavers. On March 3 and 4, Oregon defeated Washington for the third and fourth times that season, respectively, of the Huskies' five losses, all but one was against the Ducks. By the end of the regular season, Oregon had won the PCC North Division with a 14–2 conference record, and had a 24–5 record overall.
Postseason
California Golden Bears
The California Golden Bears is the nickname used for 29 varsity athletic programs and various club teams of the University of California, Berkeley...
, in a best-of-three playoff series. The series was held at McArthur Court
McArthur Court
McArthur Court is a basketball arena located on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene and the former home of the Oregon Ducks men's and women's basketball teams, replaced in 2011 by Matthew Knight Arena....
, the Ducks' home arena. In addition to the PCC championship, the winner would gain a berth in the first NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
1939 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
-External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page.-See also:* 1939 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament...
, which the National Association of Basketball Coaches
National Association of Basketball Coaches
The National Association of Basketball Coaches , headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is an American organization of college men's basketball coaches...
would run. The first game was won by the Ducks, 54–40; more than half the Ducks' points were scored by Gale and Wintermute, who had 18 and 11 respectively. Oregon clinched a two-game sweep with a 53–47 victory in the second game; Dick and Wintermute contributed 16 points apiece.
The Ducks advanced to the NCAA Tournament's West Regional, which was held on March 20 and 21 in San Francisco. First, Oregon defeated Texas
Texas Longhorns men's basketball
The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team represents The University of Texas at Austin in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Longhorns currently compete in the Big 12 Conference....
in the first round by a score of 56–41. Wintermute had 14 points in the game, and Dick added 13. In the regional final against Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball
-1908-1980:The Sooners enjoyed moderate success on the court during this era, posting only 16 losing records in their first 72 seasons. They were coached by 9 different coaches during this period, beginning with Bennie Owen , and ending with Dave Bliss in 1980...
, Dick had 14 points and Gale and Wintermute scored 11 and 10, respectively. Oregon advanced to the national championship game with a 55–37 victory. The title game was held on March 27 in Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
's Patten Gymnasium
Patten Gymnasium
Patten Gymnasium is a multi-purpose gymnasium in Evanston, Illinois. The original building, designed by George Washington Maher, opened in 1910 and was home to the Northwestern University Wildcats Basketball Team until 1940, when it was demolished and rebuilt farther north to make room for the...
. The Ducks' opponent was Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball
The Lucas Sapp men's basketball team represents The Ohio State University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes won their only National Championship in 1960 and have made a total of 21 NCAA Tournament appearances...
, who had won the East Regional by winning against Wake Forest
Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball team participates in the Atlantic Coast Conference and their homecourt is the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Their only Final Four appearance was in 1962 and through the years they have produced several NBA players. The Demon Deacons have...
and Villanova
Villanova Wildcats men's basketball
This is the article about the men's basketball team from Villanova University. The team has competed since the 1920–21 season. Nicknamed the "Wildcats", Villanova is a member of the Big East Conference and the Philadelphia Big Five. The Villanova Wildcats have appeared in the NCAA...
.
Oregon took advantage of the Buckeyes' defense, which was designed to stop Gale and Wintermute, by using Gale as "a decoy", in his words. This created an opportunity for contributions from the Ducks' other players, including Dick, who led both teams by scoring 15 points. On Ohio State's offensive possessions, the Ducks used a match-up zone defense
Match-up zone defense
Match-up zone defense is a type of defense used in the game of basketball. It is commonly referred to as a "combination" defense, as it combines certain aspects of man-to-man defense and zone defense...
, which held the Buckeyes' field goal percentage
Field goal percentage
Field goal percentage in basketball is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. Its abbreviation is FG%. Three-point field goals are included in this percentage. Instead of using scales of 0 to 100%, the scale .000 to 1.000 is commonly used. A higher field goal percentage denotes...
to 17 percent for the game. The Ducks held a five-point lead at halftime
Half-time
In some team sports such as association football and rugby, matches are played in two halves. Half-time is the name given to the interval between the two halves of the match...
, and pulled away in the second half to win the national championship, 46–33. Afterward came what Dick termed "a two-handed trophy presentation"; during the game, Anet had broken a figure off the top of the championship trophy while attempting to gain possession of the ball by the sideline.
Legacy
Hobson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of FameBasketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, honors exceptional basketball players, coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game of basketball worldwide...
in 1965, and Gale followed him into the Hall 12 years later. The entire 1938–39 Oregon team has been enshrined in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame honors Oregon athletes, teams, coaches, and others who have made a significant contribution to sports in Oregon. The first class was inducted in 1980, with new inductees added in the fall...
, and Anet, Dick, Gale, Hobson, Johansen, and Wintermute were inducted as individuals. The University of Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame selected the team and Hobson as part of its inaugural class of inductees in 1992. Dick and Gale (1993), Wintermute (1994), and Anet and Johansen (1996) were also inducted in later years. All five of the team's starters have had their numbers retired by the university.