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Oregon Basketball: 3 keys to a deep 2021 NCAA Tournament run

By Connor Muldowney

Oregon's Will Richardson, left, Chris Duarte, LJ Figueroa and Eugene Omoruyi head to the bench during a timeout in the first half.Eug 030321 Uombb07
Oregon's Will Richardson, left, Chris Duarte, LJ Figueroa and Eugene Omoruyi head to the bench during a timeout in the first half.Eug 030321 Uombb07 /
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CORVALLIS, OREGON – MARCH 07: LJ Figueroa #12 of the Oregon Ducks grabs a rebound during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Gill Coliseum on March 07, 2021 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OREGON – MARCH 07: LJ Figueroa #12 of the Oregon Ducks grabs a rebound during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Gill Coliseum on March 07, 2021 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /

2. Improve the rebounding

The rebounding struggles have been a problem all year. It makes sense when you think about it, though, because the Ducks don’t have a single guy in the starting lineup over 6-foot-6 which isn’t exactly ideal when they’re facing teams with two 6-foot-10 post guys.

The two forwards — Eric Williams Jr. and Eugene Omoruyi — stand just 6-foot-6 along with Chris Duarte while LG Figueroa and Will Richardson are 6-foot-5.

Oregon can’t exactly get taller overnight, but utilizing guys like Chandler Lawson and Franck Kepang off the bench with more size will help. They combined to play just 13 minutes against Oregon State in the final game before the NCAA Tournament. This is why losing N’Faly Dante earlier in the year was so painful.

Get the guards and wings to crash the boards more than they have and hope for a decent matchup in the post (although Luka Garza in round two could be a nightmare) and don’t allow second-chance points on offensive boards.

Oregon is athletic enough to win some rebounding battles, regardless of size.

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