Bracketology: Oregon Ducks On The Outside Entering Pac-12 Play
ESPN Bracketology Expert Joe Lunardi is already looking ahead to March Madness and the Oregon Ducks have some work to do.
The non-conference schedule was not kind to the Oregon Ducks. Despite a 10-3 mark, the quality of their opponents were not headline material. Oregon did have an opportunity in the Phil Knight Invitational, but fell flat finishing 1-2 and finding adversity over Thanksgiving Weekend.
The team that jumps off the page in the Pac-12 right now is Arizona State. Lunardi has them listed as a 1 seed. Arizona State who lost three straight games a month ago has rebounded and enters this week as a 4 seed. USC(10) and UCLA(11, play in) are the only other Pac-12 teams on the board entering Conference play.
While Oregon hosts Utah and Colorado this weekend, Arizona and Arizona State square off on Saturday night. It will likely be the most watched Pac-12 game for the season.
Despite being 10-3, Oregon Basketball has played well during the early part of the schedule. They are the second best scoring team in the Pac-12. The Ducks are holding opponents under 40 percent shooting also leading the league.
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Oregon Head Coach Dana Altman is not pleased with where his team is entering Pac-12 play. There are a lot of areas of concern to work through. Oregon is getting Defensive rebounds and the Ducks bench is finding the basket easily with players like Kenny Wooten and Abu Kigab getting early season experience.
Youth is part of the issue. The Oregon Ducks identity last season was based on key players. In 2017, the model shifts more to positions than players as the talent level is through the roof. Troy Brown Jr is a player who can fit anywhere on the floor. Elijah Brown has found his shot after early struggles. Finding a consistent Starting Lineup is less of a problem and more of its own solution.
With the start of Pac-12 play on Friday, Oregon should begin to show who they are against Utah and Colorado this weekend before a three game road trip. The Pac-12 Conference is full of surprises already. Oregon can easily become one of the top teams in the league but disciplined play and listening to Head Coach Dana Altman will be key.
Next: Oregon Football Finds Strengh In 2017
Altman has a way of finding team chemistry. He has done it with Oregon for the last seven seasons. It could be another special season at Matthew Knight Arena with the start of Pac-12 play.