NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top 25 power rankings for 2022-23 season

2021-22 season record: 20-15 (9-9)

The lack of top-end talent for Oregon proved to be its downfall, as Will Richardson wasn’t good enough to carry them to the postseason. And he has the biggest decision to make, as he’s the leading scorer and passer who has already played four years in NCAA Basketball. Assuming he’s gone, the keys to the offense will go to Dior Johnson, a five-star prospect and top-10 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class.

Johnson is an outstanding athlete and elite scorer. There were some talks about him going pro instead of college but for now, he’s a Duck. And he’ll be joined by returning senior guard De’Vion Harmon and a pair of JUCO transfers in Brennan Rigsby (Northwest Florida State) and Tyrone Williams (Greyson).

The other newcomer to watch is five-star big man Kel’el Ware, a 7’0 center that should get big minutes early. He’s likely an upgrade over both Franck Kepnang and N’Faly Dante inside. Forward Quincy Guerrier had a disappointing season after transferring over from Syracuse but he’s still a solid role player in the offense.

There will be a lot of pressure on Johnson in the backcourt to have a big year but on paper, this is a roster that has plenty of talent. It didn’t come together last season but head coach Dana Altman won’t have back-to-back bad years.