Busting Brackets
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Bracketology 2023: Fixing the flaws of 5 potential tournament teams

By Jason Burgess

Nov 7, 2022; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Mark Armstrong (2) drives the ball toward the basket against the La Salle Explorers during the first half at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2022; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Mark Armstrong (2) drives the ball toward the basket against the La Salle Explorers during the first half at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports /

Oregon Ducks 4-5

Oregon was picked to finish 3rd in the Pac-12, but things have been a struggle for the 4-5 Ducks. After being beaten handily by UC-Irvine in the second game of the year, Dana Altman’s team has gone just 3-3 that included consecutive losses to Houston, UConn, and Michigan State. Things haven’t gone much better lately after they began league play with a split of games against Washington State and UCLA. Both the talent and experience are there for the Ducks as evidenced by their win over Villanova with just six scholarship players.  The roster has a senior guard in Will Richardson and a three-headed monster at center of N’faly Dante, Ke’lel Ware, and Nate Bittle.

But, the Ducks have yet to put things together. For Oregon, things are easier said than done. First and foremost, they need to get healthy, and more specifically they need to get Barthelemy back and going again like he was early on. The Colorado transfer has been out since Nov. 20 with a foot injury.  They also need something from Guerrier that resembles the kind of player that he was in his last year at Syracuse. Yes, the numbers are similar but he has the ability to look for his shot more and be more of a force instead of deferring to others.

In his final season at Syracuse he was taking nearly 11 shots per game and this year he is only taking seven. He’s proven he can be that guy for Oregon after going for 21 points and eight rebounds with six three-pointers in their win over Villanova. That’s the guy the Ducks need to help take some heat off the guys in the middle and I still think Oregon is a tournament team, but to become that they need Guerrier and Barthelemy to be scoring threats.

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