NCAA Basketball: Impact of 2018 point guard Brandon Williams’ looming decision

Oregon Ducks – Here to stay

As a league, the Pac-12 has had a consistent hierarchy over the past decade or so. It’s been UCLA and Arizona at the top, with everyone else taking turns. One of them has been the Ducks, who under head coach Dana Altman has taken a step in the right direction as a program, including back-to-back 30-win seasons and a Final Four appearance.

Just recently it’s been paying off on the recruiting trail, with a number of ranked prospects coming to Eugene. Oregon has become another destination for the top high school players on the west coast, making life harder for the Bruins and Wildcats.

Now the issue will be consistency, as multiple seasons of missing the Big Dance could have disastrous effects on a school’s ability to recruit. The Ducks already missed out on it this past season, so for their sake, it can’t happen again.

Next: Which team will Brandon Williams commit to?

Oregon already has a pair of good options at the point guard position, so not getting Williams won’t be the end of the world. But beating Arizona for an outstanding player would be the ultimate symbolic win for the program. It would confirm the Ducks as an elite school on the west, to the chagrin of the Wildcats, as well as make things even harder for Gonzaga as well.