#10 Oregon

by Griffin Bennett

Smell that? Basketball season is almost here. Less than a month away from the beginning of the most anticipated Husky basketball season… since last year. I’m ready to tip-off the season and get underway.

Here at Montlake Madness, we decided to put together our pre-season Pac-10 rankings. In reverse order, we will release our rankings along with a season preview. To start it off, we got the Oregon Ducks at number 10.

Oregon Ducks:

This is not quite the year that Phil Knight had in mind to introduce his new Matthew Knight Arena. The Ducks lose their leading scorer from last year in G Tajuan Porter (13.1) as well as C Michael Dunigan (9.0) and G LeKendric Longmire (7.5). If you’re keeping score at home, that’s three of their top five scorers gone as well two of their top four rebounders. They do add senior guard Jay-R Stowbridge via transfer from Jacksonville State. He was recently ruled eligible for the 2010 season even though he played last year. He looks to fill the void that Tajuan Porter has left.

Suffice to say, it’s going to be a rebuilding year for first year head coach Dana Altman. After a few transfers, Altman has only eight scholarship players on the roster and will be forced to give minutes to walk-ons. If they fall victim to any injuries, it could be a long year for our friends in Eugene. I feel sorry for Coach Altman. Not even Gordon Bombay could win with these Ducks.
Also, as of last week, Oregon basketball has fallen under NCAA investigation for allegedly giving former player, Michael Dunigan, extra benefits. It could be time for some duck soup.

Projected Starting Line-up:

PG: Malcolm Armstead (Jr) – Last year: 32 games, 10.3 pts, 4.3 ast, 1.7 A/TO.
SG: Jay-R Stowbridge (Sr) – Last year (@ Jacksonville St.): 12 games, 12.5 pts, 2.3 reb.
SF: E.J. Singler (So) – Last year: 32 games, 6.1 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.2 ast.
PF: Joevan Catron (Sr) – Last year: 4games, 5.5 pts, 5.8 reb.
C: Jeremy Jacob: (Jr) Last year: 32 games, 7.5 pts, 4.8 reb.

Outlook:

It’s not looking pretty. They don’t have the worst starting line up ever created, but the problem exists on their bench. The only bench players that have any experience are guards Teondre Williams, Garret Sim, and forward Tyrone Nared. Nared is a 6’8 transfer from Monroe College (N.Y.) while averaging 8 points and 5.6 rebounds. The rest are walk-ons or former walk-ons with only clean-up duty experience.

While they also signed Martin Seiferth, a 6’10 C from Germany, their impact freshman will be Jonathan Loyd. The 5-10, 160 pound, three star point guard from Las Vegas will be forced to provide minutes for this Duck team. He’s an interesting long term prospect, but I wouldn’t expect much out of him this year.

Prediction:

I see nothing better than a 4-14 record for the Ducks this year in Pac-10 play. The young guys aren’t ready, and older ones just aren’t that good. Good luck, Mr. Altman. You’ll need it.

We miss you already, Ernesto.