Oregon Faces Texas: More Than Just a Basketball Game

The Oregon Ducks are gearing up for their biggest challenge of the season – a showdown against the No. 1 Texas Longhorns in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. But for one player, the pressure extends beyond the court. Oregon guard Astera Tuhina is facing a different kind of challenge: perfecting her latest hair design.

The Pressure is On…For the Hair Stylists!

“There’s a lot of pressure on them,” Tuhina shared after practice at the Moody Center. “Sometimes I’m really stressed and it makes them stressed. But they understand there’s no room for error. You have to be perfect.” While she could be referring to the formidable Texas Longhorns, Tuhina was actually talking about the team members tasked with creating her eye-catching hairstyles.

A Scalp as a Canvas

Tuhina’s hair has become a vibrant expression of her personality. She’s been experimenting with shaved designs since high school, evolving from a mullet to a completely shaved head before the start of this season. Since then, her scalp has transformed into a canvas, showcasing everything from hearts and hand outlines to the iconic Grateful Dead Dancing Bears. She frequently draws inspiration from Pinterest, sporting designs dyed pink, blonde, and even tie-dye, complete with flames and smiley faces.

Teammate Support and Artistic Precision

“It speaks about her character and the person she is — she just does that,” said teammate and roommate Elisa Mevius, who has even contributed to the designs. “I did the hearts. I liked those a lot. I was begging her to let me do it. She’s like, ‘Make sure they’re even!’ and I’m like shaking in the back trying to do it.” Mevius added with a laugh, “But you can always fix it. We always do it a day or two ahead of a game when we do it, so technically we could just always bleach it again.”

Facing the Longhorns: An Uphill Battle

Despite the fun with hair designs, the Ducks face a significant challenge on the court. They are 26.5-point underdogs against a Texas team that dominated Missouri State and boasts a stellar record. The Longhorns recently won the SEC Tournament and are considered strong contenders for the national title.

Staying Focused and Embracing the Moment

Oregon coach Kelly Graves is focused on keeping things as normal as possible. “They understand this is big,” Graves said. “But we try to make it as normal as possible.” The team spent Saturday with a light workout, interviews, and watching other tournament games.

For Tuhina, this is her first time reaching the second round of the NCAA tournament. “Kelly told us yesterday that only 32 teams make it to the second round, so I think we’re just grateful to be here and obviously we’re going to compete tomorrow,” she said. “Everything is possible.”

The Hair Continues…

And if the Ducks defy the odds and continue their tournament run, expect Tuhina’s hair to remain a focal point. “It probably isn’t good for my scalp because I bleach it so much,” she admitted. “I’ll have to take a break and grow it out a little (after the tournament), and then go back to it when you least expect it.”

Source: Lookout Eugene-Springfield