Pac-12 Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

Despite having plenty of talent, the Ducks had a down season and missed out on the NCAA Tournament. Once again, head coach Dana Altman has amassed a solid group of players, led by returning leading scorer and passer Will Richardson. He led the team with 14.1 ppg and 3.6 apg but there have always been questions as to whether or not he can be a lead guard on a top-25 caliber team.

The surrounding backcourt for Richardson has completely changed, with a pair of power conference transfers likely to start next to him in Keeshawn Barthélémy (Colorado) and Jermaine Cousinard (South Carolina). Both were double-digit scorers but not overly efficient and it would be a small group on the court.

That’s where incoming Junior College transfers (Tyrone Williams, Brennan Rigsby) come in. Williams is 6’5 and Rigsby is a good shooter and if either can look like another former JUCO player turned Pac-12 Player of the Year Chris Duarte, that would be a major boost to the Ducks.

The key to the Ducks likely will come down to the frontcourt, with returning starters, Quincy Guerrier and N’Faly Dante back. Guerrier, the transfer from Syracuse, underperformed expectations but is looking for a bounce-back season. Dante had his first healthy season last year but will be fighting for minutes with incoming five-star freshman, Kel’el Ware. He’s potentially an upgrade in the frontcourt and Oregon may want him to eventually be the starter.

The pieces are there for the Ducks to get back to the NCAA Tournament and Richardson may actually be the one reliable player on the roster. It’s down to the rest of the cast to play well, especially Guerrier.