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Oregon basketball makes big leap in ESPN’s latest Top 25 projections

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Will Richardson (right) and forward Eric Williams Jr. (50) react after a play against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Will Richardson (right) and forward Eric Williams Jr. (50) react after a play against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oregon basketball is looking like one of the best teams in the country after landing a few big transfers this offseason and Duck fans aren’t the only ones high on the team from Eugene.

On Tuesday, Jeff Borzello released his latest 2021-22 college basketball Top 25 projections and Oregon made a decent leap.

After being No. 21 in his first way-too-early rankings, Borzello ranked the Ducks No. 15 as one of his biggest movers in the latest edition of the Top 25.

The top three remained the same with Gonzaga, Villanova, and UCLA as Nos. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, as Kansas was also one of the biggest risers, jumping into the top five at No. 4. Ohio State rounded out the top five and there are no other Pac-12 teams ahead of the Ducks outside of the Bruins who took the country by storm in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

If I’m being totally honest, it looks like UCLA is being far too overhyped for their Final Four run but they do have some decent talent. If we’re going based solely on talent, Oregon may be right behind UCLA in the conference — or even slightly ahead.

What does Oregon basketball look like for 2021-22?

Oregon has a deep backcourt despite losing Chris Duarte and Jalen Terry this offseason, adding Rivaldo Soares and De’Vion Harmon while bringing back potential Pac-12 Player of the Year Will Richardson.

The frontcourt is also loaded with N’Faly Dante, Nathan Bittle, Eric Williams, and Franck Kepnang patrolling the post and Quincy Querrier bolsters the wing.

After two consecutive Pac-12 regular-season titles, Oregon looks like one of the favorites to repeat and if UCLA is as overrated as I think, the Ducks could run away with the league crown.

Next. Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2021 season. dark

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