The University of Oregon Ducks men's basketball team swept both Washington State (Ranked 9th in the nation) and the Washington Huskies this weekend at Mac Court ("The Pit")in Eugene. The game against the Huskies was a particularly hard fought game because of two factors. First, the Ducks and Huskies don't like each other as I have pointed out a number of times on this blog. Second, is because of an event that took place last year at the Pac-10 Tournament in Los Angles. Ryan Appleby the Washington guard took a shot at Aaron Brooks and cut his lip. Brooks soon thereafter put a forearm to Appleby's face causing his nose to bleed and requiring some stitches to his face. Brooks was ejected from the game and in the dressing room wrote a letter of apology to Appleby and his coach. Brooks was suspended for two games including the game in Seattle against the Huskies earlier this year that the Huskies won. Brooks made a big mistake and paid for it. Last night the two players met on the basketball court for the first time since the incident last year. At the beginning of the game Aaron Brooks approached Ryan Appleby to shake hand and Appleby refused. Again after the game Brooks attempted to shake Appleby's hand and he refused. He said after the game that Brooks should have received more punishment than he had received. The refusal to shake the hand of Brooks inflamed the Oregon student section "The Pit Crew" and they were on Appleby the entire game. In the end Brooks and the Ducks got the last laugh when Oregon led by Brooks beat the Huskies ruining any chance Washington had of going to the NCAA tournament. At the end of the game the "Pit Crew" was chanting N I T... N I T ( Washington may go to the NIT Tournament since they won't go to the NCAA Tournament. It's know as a losers tournament. In the past I have not been a big fan of Brooks due to his immaturity and he was wrong to have hit Appleby; but, he has grown since the incident a year ago. Appleby on the other hand is a bitter person and has no class!
