Former MSJC Eagle Helped Ducks To NCAA Elite 8
by MSJC Sports Information
Former MSJC men's basketball standout Dwayne Benjamin will be playing in the NCAA's Sweet 16 Thursday when his Oregon Ducks team takes on Duke in a game at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
Oregon advanced to the Sweet 16 this past weekend with wins over Holy Cross on Friday and St. Joseph's on Sunday. Benjamin scored 12 points in the Ducks first round victory against Holy Cross. Benjamin was the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2014 for the Eagles and was also named First Team All State as he helped MSJC to the first of their three straight conference titles. Benjamin, who is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, was a first team All Foothill Conference performer for the Eagles during his freshman season.
This season for the Ducks, Benjamin has played in all 36 of the team's games and helped Oregon to a 30-6 record and the top seed in the West Region. Benjamin is averaging 8.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He has scored in double figures 13 times this season and had a season high 25 points back on November 25th against Arkansas State.
"The whole Mt. San Jacinto basketball family is really enjoying this NCAA Tournament, because they are paying special attention to him," said MSJC Head Coach Patrick Springer. "I think everybody around here, whether they are Oregon fans or not are pulling for the Ducks". "I think it's worth noting that Dwayne has been a part of over 100 wins in his college playing career, that is something special," added Springer.
Benjamin has been part of 102 victories to this point in his college career to be exact. He won 46 games here at MSJC and now his teams at Oregon are at 56 and counting. Last year during Benjamin's junior year at Oregon the Ducks went 26-10, before losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to eventual National Runners-up Wisconsin. Now Benjamin and his teammates will get a chance to take on the defending National Champions, the Duke Blue Devils. It doesn't get any bigger than that in college basketball.
Oregon and Duke will face off on Thursday, with tip-off set for 6:55 pm local time.
Former All State MSJC men's basketball player Dwayne Benjamin has helped his new team the Oregon Ducks into the NCAA Tournament's Elite 8. (photo courtesy of University of Oregon)
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