Oregon Basketball: What makes the Ducks a potential top-10 team?

2. Experienced backcourt will lead the way.

Guard play is arguably the most important ingredient for success in college basketball. When it comes to the toughest games of the year, those players need to step up to keep the team under control in tense road environments and also hit the clutch shots in crucial moments. With Payton Pritchard and Anthony Mathis manning the backcourt next season, Oregon looks to be in incredible shape. These two seniors are both extremely talented leaders and also have plenty of experience playing together.

Even though Mathis is an incoming transfer from New Mexico, he played alongside Pritchard at the high school level and they are close friends. This prior relationship should make Mathis’ transition to Oregon quite seamless as he will instantly slide into the lineup next to a familiar face. With regards to his playing style, Mathis is a knockdown 3-point shooter who averaged 13.5 points per game and shot 204-for-462 (44.2%) from distance over the past two seasons with the Lobos. He should space the floor exceptionally well while allowing Pritchard to probe the court as an excellent playmaker.

Pritchard has started 107 of his 113 games as a Duck and he will be the leader of the team both on and off the court this season. An exceptionally consistent two-way point guard, Pritchard is a double-digit scorer, 3-point threat, and elite playmaker while also showcasing defensive instincts that often lead to steals. The rising senior has averaged 13.7 points (.432/.371/.806), 3.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game over the past two seasons.