Oregon Basketball: Key takeaways from the 2019 Battle 4 Atlantis
4. Oregon’s depth is impressive.
Oregon’s starting lineup will receive the majority of the credit for the team’s play so far this season. That is rightfully earned, especially considering Pritchard’s performances as the team’s leader thus far. Yet, it is the Ducks’ depth that is the reason for their consideration to be a top-10 team in the entire country. Their depth features a ton of pieces that can take over a game when necessary as a crucial reserve.
They might not all be reliable offensive threats but players like Chandler Lawson and C.J. Walker can make their impacts defensively and on the glass. Addison Patterson is also showcasing some of his ability as a 6-foot-6 wing capable of contributing during his freshman season.
Perhaps most importantly, though, Will Richardson is showcasing that he might be on the verge of a major breakout campaign. The 6-foot-5 sophomore was a relatively solid contributor a season ago but greatly struggled beyond the arc. This time around, though, he has increased his efficiency from three while hitting on 57.1% (8-for-14) of his early-season attempts. This has allowed him to get to the basket with a bit more consistency as he seems to be emerging as the top scorer reserve off the bench. Richardson is averaging 8.6 points per game so far.
Additionally, Oregon’s depth will take an even bigger leap when N’Faly Dante joins the rotation. The five-star big man will likely join the starting lineup and push Francis Okoro to the reserve unit. Okoro has not exactly been tremendous while running with the starters, but can be a highly valuable back-up big. He rebounds at a high rate and rarely forces the issue with his own offense.
Next. Week 4 Bracketology Projected Field. dark
That concludes this look at my biggest takeaways from Oregon basketball’s performances at the Battle 4 Atlantis. Even though the Ducks went just 1-2, it is still reasonable to think that they are a top-15 team in the entire country. They will even continue to improve with the reinstatement of N’Faly Dante.