Less than 36 hours from now, the Oregon women’s basketball team will begin the 2008-09 season with the first official practice of the season.

With the NCAA allowing the first practice to be at 5 p.m. local time tomorrow, the Ducks are scheduled to hit the floor of McArthur Court to officially tip off the season and open practice.

It is an exciting time for Oregon, a program that returns Pac-10 all-conference guard Taylor Lilley, 2008 Olympian Micaela Cocks, as well as the heralded sophomore class. In addition, it will be the first official practice for freshmen Darriel Gaynor, Jasmin Holliday and Amanda Johnson.

One of the reasons the Ducks have had two successful back-to-back recruiting classes is the hard work of assistant coach Willette White.

Like many others on staff and in the Oregon Athletic Department, coach White can’t wait until the season tips off on tomorrow.

“I think finally getting to put more than one hour together is exciting,” White said. “The players have really embraced our teaching so far, and seeing their development over the last five weeks has been special.”

The Ducks haven’t made it a secret that the team is going to run the floor early and often this season, instituting an offense that focuses on pushing the ball up the floor for transition buckets.

“It’s been fun and exciting to watch the players get out and run the floor,” White said.  “They are really excited about pushing the ball  up the floor and running the lanes hard. It’s going to be really exciting for our fans to watch this season.”

Oregon has two of its most experienced players in Cocks and Lilley, who are expected to start at the two guard spots. Freshman Darriel Gaynor will add to that crew, while senior redshirt Rita Kollo and sophomore Tatianna Thomas can also provide depth out on the wing.

“I think we’re deeper in those positions,” White said.  “Now we‘ve got added athleticism and quickness that will work with our returners and what they can do. The young kids are catching on quickly.”

Along with Gaynor and Kollo, the Ducks have added junior Lindsey Saffold and freshmen Jasmin Holliday and Amanda Johnson into the fold.

“The freshmen and Lindsay are catching on well,” White said. “We have more quickness and athleticism; AJ who can just plain shoot the ball, slashers in Jazz and Lindsay, and D, who can defend and push the ball up the floor. Each brings something different to the table and we’re excited about that.”

In her third season on the Oregon coaching staff, White has noticed some changes from years in the past.

“I think everyone is on the same page and wants the same thing,” White explained. “Everyone comes in daily and puts in the work and high level of intensity that is needed. We don’t have to worry about their work ethic.”

So with practice a day away, it is just 18 days until the Ducks return to Mac Court for an exhibition game with Northwest Christian University on Sunday, Nov. 2.

“Mac Court has always been a special place to play,” White said. “It’s definitely more fun being on the Oregon side of things when you’re at Mac. We’re excited to get back and see the fans again. I think they will enjoy watching this team do some very special things this year.”

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