NCAA Basketball: Analyzing the 4 teams in 2020 Phil Knight Invitational

By Andy Patton | Jun 17, 2020

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 18: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs battles for control of a loose ball against Zac Seljass #2 of the BYU Cougars in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center on January 18, 2020 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 18: C.J. Walker #14 of the Oregon Ducks (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Phil Knight Invitational participant – Oregon Ducks

For the first time in three seasons, the Oregon Ducks will not have anyone declare early for the NBA Draft – thanks mostly to eligibility issues and an injury, which wiped out most of N’Faly Dante’s freshman season.

However, the Ducks are losing three seniors, including superstar point guard Payton Pritchard and key role players in Anthony Mathis and Shakur Juiston, so they have some work to do if they want to once again challenge for the top spot in the PAC-12 and a high seed in the NCAA tournament.

The addition of freshman point guard Jalen Terry, the No. 71 recruit in the country according to 247Sports, Rutgers transfer Eugene Omoruyi – who sat out last year but averaged 13.8 points and 7.2 rebounds in 2019-2020 – and graduate transfer Amauri Hardy (14.5 points per game at UNLV last year) should help keep the Ducks plenty competitive next season.

The kicker, however, is Dante. After averaging just 5.8 points last year, mostly on lobs and easy putbacks, Dante will need to prove he can create his own shot, especially since the Ducks won’t have Pritchard to feed him the rock this year.

Still, there’s a reason he was the No. 2 center in his class, and if he can reach even 75% of his potential next season, he’ll be in the NBA in 2021 – but not after the Ducks make a healthy run through the NCAA tournament.

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