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    After uncertainty, Kent staying in Eugene

    Saturday, July 26, 2008, 01:50 PM EST [Ernie Kent]

    As I mentioned earlier, things are pretty slow in the college basketball world these days, but it was nevertheless surprising to see Oregon and Ernie Kent agree to a new contract through the 2012-13 season last week.

    Kent, after all, was on the hot seat for much of the 2007-08 season, and after a poor showing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Mississippi State, it wasn't certain that the 2002 Pac-10 Coach of the Year would be returning to Eugene, Ore., in the fall.

    That skepticism, though, has washed away now that Kent will be assured four more years with the Ducks.

    "I am honored to have been the head basketball coach at the University of Oregon for the last 11 years," he said. "But our work here has just started. I want to build on the momentum and excitement that has been generated from our recent success ... and take this program to the next level."

    Yet even with the questions and doubt surrounding him this offseason, Kent has had an impressive career at Oregon, sporting a 211-134 record and five NCAA Tournament appearances, including two trips to the Elite Eight - the last coming in 2006 against two-time national champ Florida.

    Meanwhile, looking ahead, the Ducks lose a lot this offseason with the departures of Malik Hairston, Bryce Taylor, Maarty Leunen and Mitch Platt, and Kent will therefore have to rely on diminutive point Tajuan Porter to pick up the scoring load in his junior season.

    But at 5-foot-6, Porter is going to need help, and Joevan Catron should continue to improve in the paint.

    And while that probably won't be enough, the Ducks do bring in one of the best recruiting classes in the country, featuring Michael Dunigan, Matt Humphrey, Drew Wiley, Josh Crittle, Teondre Williams and Garrett Sim.

    With arguably the best recruiting class down in Westwood, UCLA will probably be favored to win the Pac-10 for a fourth straight year, but don't forget about Kent and his Ducks potentially making some noise in 2008-09.

    On another note, things are looking up for Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie, who learned last week that his star forward Patrick Patterson is breezing through rehab on his ankle and is now ahead of schedule.

    The 6-foot-8 sophomore suffered a stress fracture in February and is now running on a treadmill in a therapeutic pool.

    Gillispie said that Patterson could be back and ready to practice by next month, but if I were him, I wouldn't be rushing anyone - especially my star player - back from an injury that could creep back up.

    In fact, Patterson was one of the main reasons the Wildcats overcame such a horrendous start in 2007-08 after losses to Gardner-Webb, UAB and Houston (the loss at home to San Diego wasn't a bad one after all).

    At 16.4 points and 7.7 rebounds a game, Patterson should be one of the SEC's top big men this upcoming season, but as we all know, in this day and age in college hoops, you're only an injury away from losing a lot rather quickly.
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