While the focus in Eugene is on the football team, basketball season is quietly sneaking up on the Ducks. Dana Altman's team is just 10 days away from playing their first exhibition game against Seattle, with just 3 tune-up opportunities before kicking off the season. These preseason opportunities are going to be important for the Ducks, given how much has changed since last season.
Coming off the worst season of the Dana Altman era, the Ducks have overhauled the roster via the Transfer Portal, saying goodbye to the vast majority of the roster. If Oregon is going to contend for the NCAA Tournament this season, Altman is going to have to answer some key questions about this roster.
3 burning questions ahead of Oregon Basketball season
How big of an impact can freshman Tajh Ariza make?
While Oregon brought in nearly an entire new roster via the Transfer Portal, the most exciting addition may be true freshman Tajh Ariza. The NBA legacy was a 5-star recruit, ranked as the 32nd best player in his class, and gives the Ducks a high-upside talent that the staff can develop, as they typically add this level of player via the Transfer Portal.
At 6-foot-10, Ariza brings length to the roster along with high-level athleticism that should allow him to make an impact on both ends of the court. Where Ariza needs to grow is in finding go-to scoring moves and areas where he can get easy buckets, as he has the upside to be an elite player once he rounds out his game.
Will transfer Malique Ewin be granted eligibility?
When the Summer was filled with eligibility rulings around the country, Oregon struck big by adding Arkansas transfer Malique Ewin. While Oregon added a massive transfer class, Ewin ranks as the Ducks' highest-rated addition, pointing to the fact that Dana Altman was savvy in saving a roster spot for the potential chaos in the Summer. The issue is that Ewin is currently ineligible due to an appeal by the NCAA, as Ewin's case is still unresolved.
If Ewin can play, he brings the proven production along with the size that the Ducks have lacked in recent seasons. This past season, Ewin averaged 9.8 points per game with 5.7 rebounds per game at Arkansas, but if he can return to the scoring levels he showed at Florida State, Oregon is getting an elite playmaker in the frontcourt.
Can Dana Altman align this mix of high-upside transfers?
Dana Altman has built a reputation for getting a roster made up of complicated pieces thanks to Jon Rothstein's infamous tagline.
His name is Dana Altman.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 26, 2026
And he aligns Rubik's Cubes.
This season, Altman is going to have to live up to that billing as Oregon brings in 9 new players via the Transfer Portal while losing 8 transfers. The Ducks aren't adding a fully established group of transfers; instead, Oregon is adding some high-upside players who haven't lived up to their potential, along with players leaping up in competition.
Jasper Johnson is a former top recruit who underwhelmed at Kentucky, but could end up being a big contributor if the staff can help him find his game. Taylor Bol Bowen has been a solid player in his career, and if Oregon can get him to play consistently, he could be a star. Dwayne Aristode is another former top recruit who was buried on a loaded Arizona team, and could excel in more playing time.
Oregon has a far more talented roster this season, and the coaching staff is going to have to get everything to line up.
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