Oregon Basketball: Projected starting 5 after Chandler Lawson transfer

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 28: Franck Kepnang #22 of the Oregon Ducks reacts in the second half of their Sweet Sixteen round game against the USC Trojans in the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 28, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

I see the Ducks going a little bigger this season with more post options. They could start anyone from Nathan Bittle, Isaac Johnson or even Lok Wur at power forward or even go with Jonathan Lawson — assuming he doesn’t follow his brother’s footsteps — at the small forward spot and move Eric Williams Jr. to power forward.

But for the sake of creating the most complete lineup, I’m going with Franck Kepnang at power forward, creating a twin towers situation in the post for the Ducks.

The 6-11, 225-pound mid-year enrollee could be back as a “redshirt freshman” but he got plenty of valuable experience in year one, including playing in a couple of NCAA Tournament games. He averaged 2.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in just over eight minutes per game whole shooting 68 percent from the floor. His potential is through the roof.

With an entire offseason to gel and learn the system, Kepnang could be a breakout star for Oregon in 2021-22. He’s money around the rim, an absolute rim-protector and could be a rebounding machine in the right situation. Put him at power forward and deter all teams from driving to the hoop.

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