Notes From 1st Day's sessions

In the spring of 2004 Oregon fans saw South Salem HS senior standout Jeremiah Dominguez dominate the 4A basketball field in Eugene for the state playoffs. Fans were expecting Oregon coach Ernie Kent and his coaching staff to offer and as it appeared Dominguez could play at the Pac-10 level even with his lack of size as Dominguez stands 5'6.

Well Oregon didn't offer and Dominguez ended up going to the University of Portland and then transfered to Portland State last season for his last two years of basketball. Dominguez sat out last season and entered this season as a Red-Shirt Junior and starting for the Vikings.

Dominguez ended up leading the Vikings to a Big Sky Tournament Championship and earning Big Sky player of the year as he averaged 14 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 rebounds a game as he shot 47% from the field and 44% from the three point line.

So did Oregon make the right choice and not offering the mighty might PG from Salem?

This observer thinks Oregon made the right choice in not offering Dominguez. Yes he is the same height as current PG Tajuan Porter but Porter has shown the ability to be able to score and create his own shot when matched up against bigger, faster, and stronger defenders. Porter is quicker with and without the ball and has a better range for his long ball.

The deciding factor is the fact that Porter has shown he can have big games against good teams where Dominguez has not shown he can rise up against better competition and raise his game much like Porter has shown. On the flip side however, Dominguez has shown the ability to run an offense in both half court and a face pace offense. He is a considerably better distributer then Porter is however.

All in all, most people would take Porter over Dominguez in most cases. Oregon and Viking fans might get a chance to see the two mini ballers match up and battle on the court next season as Oregon played Portland this year and it should be Portland State's turn to play the Ducks.