The Oregon Ducks basketball season left plenty to be desired for the fans as the team managed just a 12-20 record with a 5-15 record in Big Ten play. Building a winner in the Big Ten is much tougher than it was when the Ducks were in the Pac 12 as teams like Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan State, and others are clearly pouring more resources into their rosters.
After missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2022-23 season, Dana Altman needed to find a way to rework the roster. Kwame Evans and Jackson Shelstad left for big programs, while Nate Bittle departs for the NBA, creating holes, but also the opportunity to give this team a new look.
While Oregon doesn't look like a National Championship contender on paper, it's clear that this team will give people a reason to believe. As the dust has settled on the offseason, analysts are starting to buy in on what Dana Altman put together.
Jon Rothstein names Oregon sleeper team in the Big Ten
The chaos of the college basketball offseason has died down for the most part, and now analysts are starting to break down what they see in each roster. CBS Sports' college basketball insider Jon Rothstein broke down the Big Ten next season, and named the Ducks as the sleeper team to watch in the conference.
Oregon is the sleeper team in the Big Ten.https://t.co/c9JLel2QnF (Apple)https://t.co/EsZxIkca32 (Spotify)https://t.co/x5qUSk1Wmn (YouTube) pic.twitter.com/EQj980AVWJ
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 13, 2026
While everyone would prefer to be seen as a favorite in any sport, that's not the expectation with the Oregon Basketball program. Other programs are clearly more invested, but all you ask for in sports is a chance, and the Ducks will have their chance to go on a run next season.
When Jon Rothstein broke down why Oregon will be a sleeper, he's high on transfers Jasper Johnson, Dwayne Aristode, Taylor Bol-Bowen, and Tyrone Riley. Adding in freshman Tajh Ariza as an impactful player coming into the fold, it's easy to believe the Ducks could flip their fortunes in 2026-27.
Like Jon Rothstein said, Dana Altman hasn't forgotten how to coach, and if this team can gel under his leadership they'll have a chance to be really exciting. The Ducks added a good mix of talented playmakers from lower levels along with high upside transfers from blue bloods with the latter being the most exciting.
Jasper Johnson is a year removed from being one of the most sought after recruits in the Country, but struggled to find a rhythm at Kentucky. Jerry Easter and Dwayne Aristode each fit the same billing with rocky freshman seasons but have flashes of what could be elite talent as they continue to develop.
Dana Altman isn't going to have an easy task in 2026-27 as he looks to make the expanded NCAA Tournament field. The good news is that the Ducks will have the larger field as well as plenty of time to gel as a team before they get to Big Ten play.
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