Pac-12 Basketball: Breaking down the 2017-18 star on each team in the conference
By Connor Hope
Oregon Ducks – MiKyle McIntosh
It is no secret that the Oregon Ducks lost more production than almost any team in the NCAA. After making the Final Four last season, the Ducks lost their top five scorers and a ton of valuable experience.
With all the talent leaving and sophomore Payton Pritchard being the best returning player, Coach Dana Altman has had to rely on recruiting and the transfer market to reload. While freshman Troy Brown and grad transfer Elijah Brown should provide great talent in the backcourt, the biggest commitment was that of grad transfer MiKyle McIntosh.
McIntosh, who played the last three season at Illinois State, solidified Oregon as a team that should have the talent to return to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, McIntosh averaged 12.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.7 steals, making him one of the best all-around players in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The biggest drawback for McIntosh is his efficiency and while his scoring has been steadily improving, he still finished last season with a disappointing 41.0% shooting percentage.
The commitment benefits both sides, allowing McIntosh to compete for a NCAA Tournament bid and providing Oregon with a solid frontcourt player. Expect McIntosh to have a huge year for the Ducks. He has the experience to lead this team in a season where they look to reload instead of rebuild.