The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses the depth of the Western Conference on display during the NBA playoffs and how far the Blazers trail several elite teams with young talent. Also, Damian Lillard's playoff run with the Bucks comes to an early end. And are the Blazers set at center? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Rob Gale era is off to a brilliant start for the Portland Thorns, winners of four straight and regaining confidence amid an imperfect stretch. Has Portland’s interim manager found the right mix? On this week’s episode, Chris and Ryan break down what has worked well for the Thorns in their winning streak, and examine Gale’s influence. Plus, checking in with the Timbers after eight straight games without a win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sports columnist Bill Oram and Brenna Greene of KOIN debate, then recap an Oregon spring game that played out against the backdrop of eight Ducks getting selected in the NFL Draft. Other highlights from this week’s show include: · How are things going for Damian Lillard, injured in Milwaukee, with the Bucks on the verge of elimination in the first round? · Saying goodbye to the supposed superteams that went heavy on star power. Bill shares some thoughts on the end of LeBron’s 21st season. · Brenna talks Winterhawks in the playoffs while Bill tries to rename a rival hockey team and name one that doesn’t even exist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why did Oregon State’s spring game on Saturday leave both Bill Oram and Brenna Greene of KOIN feeling a little underwhelmed? There are plenty of reasons, including the lack of participation among the Beavers’ few recognizable names and a missed opportunity to ramp up the fan experience. What other takeaways did they have from the Spring Showcase? They get into all of that — including the quarterback who was most impressive — on this episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast. Also discussed: • Ways that OSU could spruce up its spring affair • Why Oregon’s upcoming spring game is intriguing • How Blazers fans should feel after watching Damian Lillard torch the nets in the Bucks’ Game 1 win • Kelly Graves is moving out, the Thorns are moving up and the Winterhawks are moving on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Big move on the coaching front: the Portland Thorns are moving Mike Norris into the front office and Rob Gale into the interim coach role. How will the global search for a permanent gaffer play out? On this episode, which was recorded on Friday, April 19, Chris and Ryan discuss the Thorns’ move, and look back on a compelling contest for the Timbers vs. LAFC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses the franchise’s offseason following a 21-61 season. Plus, why the Blazers retained coach Chauncey Billups, why GM Joe Cronin plans to remain on the development path and what to expect this offseason and next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Blazers' current roster is not good enough to win next year, and the front office appears ready to go all in on its youth movement. So is losing next year the best path? The answer is almost undoubtedly yes, but will fans put up with it? And what moves does general manager Joe Cronin need to make to set the franchise up for long-term success and could it mean trading a fan favorite? Bill Oram and Brenna Greene from KOIN discuss the fallout of another losing season, while looking to the future of a roster built around Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Also on this week’s episode: • Highlights from Blazers' exit interviews in Tualatin • Why the Thorns made a coaching change four matches into the season • What to look for in the OSU spring game on Saturday • Is this the year Ben Gulbranson finally wins the Beavers starting quarterback job? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s been a trend all season: one good half, one rough half for the Portland Timbers. Saturday’s 3-3 draw with SKC was a nice turnaround, but how can Portland put together a complete performance? Chris Rifer and Ryan Clarke break it down on this week’s Soccer Made in Portland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ducks Confidential is back! After a few weeks off, co-hosts Ryan Clarke and James Crepea break down what they’ve seen and heard at Oregon football spring practice, and look back on a magical run for Oregon men’s basketball. Plus, plenty to talk about in the transfer portal carousel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Oregonian's Bill Oram and KOIN 6's Brenna Greene break down the issues facing Oregon State and try to answer why there has been so much apathy toward this Blazers season. Also, a look back at a historic NCAA Tournament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses rookie Scoot Henderson’s growth during the team's recent road trip, as well as what we've learned about the young forwards and what we hope to learn during upcoming exit interviews following the end of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, takes a look at Chauncey Billups getting elected into the Hall of Fame, how the Blazers ended their 10-game losing streak with a "bad win" and if any signs of hope for the future have been on display. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ever since Soccer Made in Portland co-host Ryan Clarke left for a vacation to South Korea and Japan, it’s been rough sailing for the Portland Timbers and Thorns. This begs the question: is it his fault? On this week’s episode, Ryan returns to join co-host Chris Rifer in reflecting on three straight losses for the Timbers, and evaluating a Thorns team still trying to shake off the cobwebs early in its season. Plus, discussion on Sophia Smith’s contract extension and the experience of watching a Timbers game at PDX Taproom in Tokyo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Coming into her senior season, Lake Oswego’s Mia Brahe-Pedersen already has the things many of her Oregon high school peers are seeking. She’s already a 12-time state champion (three each in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay), a two-time Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, an 11-time national champion and a 22-time All-American. She holds the Oregon high school record in the 100 (11.00 seconds), 200 (22.43), 4x400-meter relay (3:48.49) and the 4x200-meter relay (1:39.86), she’s signed a name, image and likeness deal with Nike and she’s already committed to run for USC. But Brahe-Pedersen doesn’t have everything she came for. “Overall, my goals are pretty simple,” she said. “Break as many records as possible and make as much history as possible.” Read the full story written by high school sports coordinator Nik Streng at OregonLive.com/sports on Thursday, March 27. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s time for another episode of Beaver Banter, an Oregonian Sports podcast about Oregon State sports. Veteran reporters Nick Daschel and Joe Freeman discuss the Beavers’ march to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, Travis Bazzana’s remarkable hot streak, the players who have entered the men’s basketball transfer portal and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses rookie Scoot Henderson’s recent struggles, forward Kris Murray’s potential, and coach Chauncey Billlups’ future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oregonian Sports Podcast co-host and KOIN reporter Brenna Greene recently suggested that Selection Sunday might be the very best sports day of the year. Really? We had to discuss that and rank our top five contenders for that title as March Madness begins. The Oregon men and both the Oregon State and University of Portland women are all in their respective fields and looking to shake up some brackets. Brenna and Oregonian columnist Bill Oram discuss all that and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Basketball gave him the hope to keep going during the nearly four years he spent in prison, but Brett Hollins said he has not picked up a ball since his final game as a senior captain at Southern Oregon University. The 29-year-old joined Oregonian columnist Bill Oram, who recently profiled Hollins in the three-part series, “The Baller’s Conviction,” to reflect on his journey from prison to college basketball and to share what comes next. Read “The Baller’s Conviction” here: https://www.oregonlive.com/collegebasketball/2024/03/the-ballers-conviction-watch-southern-oregons-brett-hollins-tell-his-own-story-read-the-whole-series.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s time for another episode of Beaver Banter, an Oregonian Sports podcast about Oregon State sports. Veteran reporters Nick Daschel and Joe Freeman take a look at the Beavers’ bracket in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, spring football, OSU pro day and the baseball team’s continued excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss Deandre Ayton’s dominant play and react to his comments to Fentress about his transformation into becoming a dominant force for the Blazers. Also, Ayton talked about that whole situation with the ice strom. Plus, Scoot Henderson and when is the tank coming? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices