Oregon Basketball: 3 biggest storylines for Ducks in 2020 offseason

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 18: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after defeating the Washington Huskies 64-61 in overtime during their game at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on January 18, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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EUGENE, OREGON – JANUARY 09: N’Faly Dante #1 of the Oregon Ducks (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

2. Breakout campaign for N’Faly Dante?

There were a number of five-star freshmen last season who struggled, with N’Faly Dante being one of them. From a statistical standpoint, the 6’11 center averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.8 rpg in 13.6 mpg, playing in just 12 games overall.

But in great fairness to the young man, he never got a chance to get it going last season. He missed most of the non-conference after being declared academically ineligible by the NCAA. But Dante did have an impact in the frontcourt for Oregon once able to play, playing double figures in minutes. Unfortunately, an ankle injury took him out for most of league play.

Yet when healthy and in some kind of rhythm, Dante showed flashes of being a star college basketball player. He has scoring moves, can play defense at a high level, and even pass the ball well for a big man. And with three frontcourt players gone from the rotation, the center will be tasked with being at least a double-digit scorer and dominate on the boards.

If Dante can have a huge breakout campaign, it would not only provide the needed balance for Oregon Basketball next season, but it would also take some pressure off the ball-handlers on the outside. Given 25-30 mpg to work with at the center position, Dante could very well be the best big man in the Pac-12 in 2020-21.

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