Boucher emerged out of nowhere last season as an NBA prospect for the Ducks. As a 6-foot-10-inch big with top-notch shot-blocking ability and shooting range past the 3-point line, he’s posed matchup problems across the Pac-12 for the last two seasons.
Unfortunately for Boucher — and Oregon — it appears his college career has ended prematurely.
Not long before Saturday night’s game, the Ducks announced that Boucher, a senior, tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season, a troubling blow for an Oregon team with Final Four aspirations.
Boucher still was in good spirits for most of the game, walking around on crutches. During the game, Boucher pumped up his replacement, Kavell Bigby-Williams. The junior from London had both a big dunk and block in the first half, and Boucher was visibly the most excited player on Oregon’s bench.
“It was a tough morning,” Oregon coach Dana Altman said before the game. Chris is sad, his teammates are sad. ... But you are judged by how you respond to adversity.”
