Oregon Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Ducks

Season Outlook

Oregon will try to defend its 2020 Pac-12 Conference regular-season title this season. The Ducks are deep in the frontcourt with transfer forwards Eugene Omoruyi and Eric Williams Jr. expected to make an impact right away in the lineup as two solid rebounders.

However, the roster is quite undersized and needs shot blockers. Oregon has only one true big-man with 6-foot-11 center N’Faly Dante, who will look to take a large step forward during his sophomore season.

In the backcourt, the Ducks appear thin and have four guards who are currently eligible for this season with projected starters Will Richardson, Chris Duarte, and Amauri Hardy, and Jalen Terry off the bench. The recent news of Terry’s injury hurts the Ducks’ depth at guard.

Meanwhile, head coach Dana Altman is still awaiting word on the eligibility of two guards who would make his roster even deeper if they are able to receive waivers. Shooting guards, L.J. Figueroa (14.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Aaron Estrada (8.1 ppg) are both still waiting on the NCAA’s ruling on whether they will be granted a waiver to play this season.

Figueroa started his first two seasons for the St. John’s Red Storm and led the team in scoring and steals last season. He is a scrappy defender who can help boost Oregon’s defense and force turnovers. Figueroa was tied for first in the Big East Conference last season with 1.9 steals per game. If he is able to get ahold of a waiver, I would expect Figueroa to start right away for Oregon.

Estrada was named as the 2019-20 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Rookie of the Year. He was also an All-MAAC Third Team selection and started 14 games for the St. Peter’s Peacocks. If he were able to receive a waiver, Estrada would play a role off the bench during his first season of major conference basketball.

The most difficult task this season for Altman will be replacing the 2019-20 Pac-12 Player of the Year and four-year starter, Payton Pritchard. Oregon will need players to step up on the roster, and I expect point guard Will Richardson to be the next leader for Oregon. Richardson has the opportunity to be in store for a massive season.

I project improvement from both Richardson and Duarte as starters, as they should carry this season’s team. The transfer pickups with Hardy, Omoruyi, and Williams should be able to fit nicely into the starting lineup. From the bench, the Ducks should have improving options with sophomores Dante and Lawson.

In its ten seasons under Altman, the Ducks have appeared in the NCAA Tournament six times. Oregon would have been in the tournament a seventh time if the 2020 NCAA Tournament was not cancelled due to COVID-19.

My prediction this season for Oregon is that I expect them to finish at the top of the Pac-12 Conference and to be back in the NCAA Tournament. However, I project that Oregon’s opportunity at another conference title will be faced with a stiff challenge this season with tough competition from the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona State Sun Devils.

UCLA will retain their starting lineup from last season. Arizona State saw their top two scorers, Remy Martin and Alonzo Verge Jr. withdraw from the NBA Draft to head back for the Sun Devils, while also bringing in five-star freshman guard Josh Christopher.

Oregon will enter this season between Arizona State and UCLA in the AP Top 25 Preseason Poll. The Ducks will start ranked at No. 20, while Arizona State will be at No. 18 and UCLA at No. 22. It should be a competitive Pac-12 Conference basketball season with a battle at the top of the conference in 2020-21.