Last, but certainly not least, the Ducks have options here. Not only does N’Faly Dante return after playing in just six games before injuring his knee and missing the remainder of the season, but the Ducks have more depth in the post for 2021-22 than they’ve had in years.
Dante should hopefully be at full-strength and if that’s the case, he’s the easy choice to start the season at center. If Dana Altman wants to ease him into big minutes, he might go with Franck Kepnang here or maybe even Nathan Bittle or Isaac Johnson.
Oregon will have one of the best center rotations in the country next season and I see Dante leading the way as a potential All-Pac-12 performer.
If he lives up to his potential, he could even be an All-American-type player.
Before his injury this past season, Dante was averaging 8.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.2 steals while shooting 66 percent from the floor. He needs to improve his free throw percentage because if the Ducks can’t keep him on the floor near the end of close games, that’ll be an issue.
We all saw how much the Ducks could have used Dante against USC, however. It’ll be nice to have him back.