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Oregon Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Ducks

By Lukas Harkins

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Dana Altman yells at Payton Pritchard (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Dana Altman yells at Payton Pritchard (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Starting Lineup

Projected Starters: Pritchard, Bailey, King, Wooten, Bol

As the only upperclassmen in this projected starting lineup, junior Payton Pritchard will not only be the primary playmaker for the Ducks this season but also the vocal leader on the floor. A sharpshooting creator, Pritchard fits the mold of a perfect modern-game point guard. And while he may have had to carry too much of the scoring burden last season, he will have more talented teammates this season. Now entering his third year as the full-time starting point guard for the Ducks, Pritchard is experienced, hardened, and talented. Over the course of last season, the 6-foot-2 guard averaged 14.5 points (.447/.413/774), 3.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.

And while Pritchard is a known commodity, the rest of this projected starting lineup features many question marks. In my opinion, the Oregon starting wing positions this year will be filled out by Victor Bailey Jr. and Louis King. Mostly a reserve player last year due to struggles from the floor, Bailey is a true shooting guard who could be poised for a big leap as a sophomore. He averaged 6.7 points per game (.418/.364/.870) last year. King, on the other hand, is an incoming freshman ranked at No. 20 in the class. At 6-foot-7 with a smooth offensive game, King could easily lead the Ducks in scoring this season.

Then, Oregon’s starting frontcourt might be the most imposing defensive duo in the country. Kenny Wooten and Bol Bol are both tremendous rim-protectors who have plenty of athleticism to defend on the wing as well when necessary. Quite simply, Oregon will be a difficult team to score on this year due to the idea that nobody will want to attack the basket against these two. Oh, and Wooten/Bol are no slouches offensively, either. As a freshman last season, Wooten averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds (2.6 blocks as well) in 19.8 minutes per game on 68.1% from the floor. Conversely, Bol is an incoming freshman ranked at No. 3 in the 2018 class. A more dangerous offensive prospect due to his abilities to score both inside and out at 7-foot-2, Bol will be a matchup nightmare.

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