Oregon basketball has made huge strides towards success this season. The Ducks have not won the PAC-12 season title since the 2001-2002 season, and have not breached the top 10 since February of 2007, also being ranked at No. 9. After defeating defending Pac-12 tournament champion UCLA on March 2, the Ducks clinched at least a share of the season title. If they defeat USC this weekend, they will clinch the title without a share. Here are 3 reasons how Oregon has possibly pushed themselves into the final four conversation.
Returning Talent
The team retained head coach Dana Altman, who coached the team to a solid tournament appearance last year. Oregon brought back possibly their most key player in Dillon Brooks. Brooks is averaging 17 points per game this season, along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Altman also brought back Elgin Cook, Dwayne Benjamin, and Casey Benson. Oregon currently stands at 23-6.
Progression
With Dillon Brooks, Benjamin, Benson, and the other returning players staying for at least another season the team’s chemistry has built even further. The Ducks have essentially returned their core players from last season, besides Joe Young who currently plays for the Indiana Pacers. Some thought that with the departure of their superstar guard Young, the Ducks would move out of contention of making the tournament, but the team has gotten even better. In all of the years Young played, never once did the Ducks win the season title or reach the top 10 in the polls. The team is working together more efficiently than ever before, and Brooks has risen to stardom in Eugene.
Offseason additions
This may be the most significant reason as to why Oregon is as good as they are this year. They made major additions in recruiting, and even added a transfer. Oregon has been known for bringing in transfer players in football, but this offseason they brought in a big name transfer for basketball and his name is Chris Boucher. Boucher is a 6 foot 10 inch power forward who averaged almost 5 blocks per game at Northwest College. Obviously bringing him in gave Oregon a rim protector on defense, which was much needed considering they were one of the nation’s worst defenses last season. In recruiting, the Ducks got the No. 23 ranked freshman Tyler Dorsey. Dorsey is a 6 foot 4 guard who took the place of Joe Young and has been doing well. Over the season Dorsey has gotten better, and his most recent outing may have been his best. Against UCLA on March 2, he scored 20 points. This was in his hometown of Los Angeles, some think that is a contributing factor as to why he had such a great night. Oregon has proved to the college basketball world that they can hang with the big dogs, especially after defeating their “big brother” Arizona this year. Will the Ducks get over the hump and make the Final Four?