34. Florida Gators
35. Ole Miss
36. USC Trojans
39. Mississippi State Bulldogs
41. Memphis Tigers
42. McNeese Cowboys
45. VCU Rams
46. Dayton Flyers
47. St Mary’s Gaels
49. UCF Knights
52. Clemson Tigers
53. New Mexico Lobos
58. SMU Mustangs
60. Nevada Wolfpack
61. TCU Horned Frogs
63. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
65. Syracuse Orange
68. Iowa Hawkeyes
70. Butler Bulldogs
71. Princeton Tigers
74. Oklahoma Sooners
75. West Virginia Mountaineers
76. Georgia Bulldogs
77. UAB Blazers
80. Missouri Tigers
Here’s where each of our analysts have the Ducks ranked:
| Steven | Maxwell | Kam | Cody |
| 34 | 41 | 14 | 34 |
2022-2023: The Dana Altman Dynasty
Dana Altman has enjoyed a remarkable streak of success throughout his coaching career. He first gained prominence as the head coach of Creighton in the 1990s and early 2000s. After leaving Creighton in 2010, he took the helm at the University of Oregon. With over 1,150 games coached and an impressive all-time winning percentage of 65.7%, Altman has firmly established himself in the ranks of elite college basketball coaches. His tenure at Oregon has been characterized by a winning percentage of 69.4%, which has earned him numerous Coach of the Year awards in his conference and solidified his status as the 20th winningest coach in NCAA history.
Entering the 2022-2023 season, Altman aimed to replicate his previous successes with the Ducks. Coming off a season where Oregon finished 20-15 and placed 6th in the Pac-12, the team retained many key contributors, with 48.4% of their minutes and 49.7% of their scoring returning. The Ducks started strong but faced challenges with a tough non-conference schedule, ending up with a 7-6 record before entering conference play. Despite their potential, they struggled to find momentum, managing only a few winning streaks, including one of three games. By the end of the regular season, they finished with a record of 18-13, setting the stage for a competitive Pac-12 tournament.
In the first round of the Pac-12 tournament, Oregon narrowly defeated Washington State by five points, but their journey ended in the second round against a seasoned UCLA team, concluding the season with a 19-14 record. Although they missed out on an NCAA tournament bid, the Ducks received an invitation to the NIT. They demonstrated resilience, defeating UC Irvine convincingly in the first round and then beating UCF by 14 points in the second round. However, their season concluded with a narrow three-point loss to Wisconsin in the NIT quarterfinals.
Offensive Philosophy
Historically, Altman’s teams have been recognized for their methodical offensive style, often emphasizing the high post. This approach allows for a spread offense with shooters positioned around the perimeter. In the 2022-2023 season, the Ducks showcased their methodical style, finishing with a two-point field goal percentage of 53.1%, ranking 77th nationally. One of the team’s strengths was rebounding, where they ranked 40th in total rebounds. However, their offensive efficiency suffered, as they were in the lower quartile for field goals attempted per game, averaging 56.8 attempts, which ranked 246th in the nation. This inefficiency contributed to an average of only 70.6 points per game, placing them 202nd nationally.
Strong Defensive Play
Oregon’s success has always hinged on a strong defensive identity, heavily influenced by Altman’s emphasis on zone defense. This defensive strategy allows the Ducks to disrupt opponents’ passing lanes, reflected in their average of 5.6 steals per game. Opponents shot just 40.9% against them, ranking Oregon 39th nationally. Altman’s commitment to defensive principles was evident as the Ducks allowed an average of 66.3 points per game, ranking 68th in the nation.
Key Players
The 2022-2023 Ducks were anchored by a seasoned veteran presence, most notably senior center N’Faly Dante, who earned 1st Team All-Pac-12 honors. He averaged 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while contributing defensively with 1.4 blocks per game. Senior guard Will Richardson, a former top 100 recruit and 2nd Team All-Pac-12 selection the previous season, added 12.2 points and 5.1 assists per game. Jermaine Couisnard, a senior guard who transferred from South Carolina, also played a vital role, averaging 12.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. As the Ducks navigated uncertainty regarding the eligibility of several veterans, they aimed to push forward with a talented roster eager to uphold Oregon’s storied basketball tradition.
2023-2024: Continued Success for Oregon
The 2023-2024 season began with optimism, as Oregon secured three top-30 recruits: guard Jackson Shelstad, forward Mookie Cook, and forward Kwame Evans Jr. Key contributors Jermaine Couisnard and N’Faly Dante returned, though the team faced the loss of Will Richardson and Kel’el Ware, a former top-10 recruit from 2022. Offensively, the Ducks experienced a notable improvement, averaging 75.6 points per game (ranking 111th nationally) and shooting 45.8% from the field (103rd nationally). Their ball movement was evident, as they finished 127th in assists with 13.8 per game.
Defensively, however, Oregon saw a decline, allowing 72.3 points per game and finishing 193rd nationally. Despite this setback, their offensive firepower kept them competitive. By the end of the regular season, the Ducks achieved a 20-11 record and entered the Pac-12 tournament as the 4th seed. They narrowly defeated a struggling UCLA team in the first round and triumphed over a formidable Arizona squad, securing a place in the Pac-12 tournament championship, where they beat Colorado to claim the title and earn an NCAA tournament bid. As an 11 seed, they faced a tough South Carolina team in the first round but managed to pull off a hard-fought victory. Their remarkable run came to an end in the second round against Creighton, where they lost by 13 points.
Individual Standouts
N’Faly Dante continued to be a cornerstone for Oregon, earning his second consecutive All-Pac-12 1st Team honors and a place on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. He averaged 17 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. Jermaine Couisnard contributed significantly as well, averaging 16.6 points and 4.6 rebounds, particularly shining during March Madness. Freshmen Jackson Shelstad and Kwame Evans also made impactful contributions, with Shelstad averaging 12.8 points and 2.8 assists per game, shooting 45% from the field, while Evans contributed defensively with 2.2 stocks per game, averaging 7.3 points and 4.9 rebounds.
Looking Ahead: The 2024-2025 Season and Beyond
As Oregon prepares for the 2024-2025 season, the team aims to build on last season’s tournament bid with aspirations for further success. They will return seven players, including key contributors Jackson Shelstad, Jadrian Tracey, and Kwame Evans. The departures of Couisnard and Dante will create opportunities for talented players to step into prominent roles. Nathan Bittle, a 7’0″ senior and former top-20 recruit, alongside sophomore guard Mookie Cook, who had a late-season start last year, are poised to make significant impacts.
Recruitment for the upcoming season has been a mixed bag, with Oregon landing only one notable four-star recruit, Jamari Phillips from Dream City Christian. However, the Ducks have aggressively pursued talent through the transfer portal, securing senior center Supreme Cook from Georgetown, senior guard TJ Bamba from Villanova, 6’3″ senior combo guard Ra’Heim Moss from Toledo, and 6’8″ senior forward Brandon Angel from Stanford. Additionally, they added a promising junior college recruit, 6’6″ Dezdrick Lindsay from Florida Southwest.
With seven returning players and two of last season’s top six contributors, the Ducks are well-positioned for another strong campaign. Retaining 47.3% of last season’s minutes and 62.4% of its scoring production allows room for new stars to emerge, particularly in the frontcourt. The 2024-2025 season promises excitement as they aim to solidify their status among the best teams in the Big Ten conference while chasing tournament aspirations. Keep an eye on Jackson Shelstad, as he will likely become a focal point in the offense, playing a crucial role in the Ducks’ success this season.
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