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September 18th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Oregon
Ducks
Overall Rank:
#56
Conference
Rank: #5 Pac-10
2005-06:
15-18, 7-11, 7th
2005-06
postseason: none
 Oregon has had
the talent to make the NCAAs the last two years. However, two
years ago Coach Ernie Kent’s squad didn’t even make the Pac-10
tournament and last year a 15-18 record kept the Ducks off the
NITs call list. Youth will not be an acceptable excuse anymore
and anything but an NCAA bid will put even more pressure on
Coach Kent to update his resume.
Who’s Out:
Super
juco recruit Ivan Johnson was supposed to come in and answer all
of the Ducks frontcourt problems. While he did contribute 7.5
points and 3.2 boards and showed flashes of greatness, his
overall effect was disappointing. Even more disappointing is
the fact that Johnson is not returning to Eugene. Center Matt
Short has run out of eligibility after seeing limited minutes in
11 games last year. The backcourt will lose Brandon Lincoln and
Kenny Love. Lincoln started 13 contests and averaged 6.1 points
during his senior campaign and Love’s playing time was limited
to just five games due to a knee injury.
Who’s In:
Up front,
newcomers Frantz Dorsainvil and Joevan Catron will provide some
depth. Dorsainvil, a transfer from Vincennes University in
Indiana, averaged 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds last year and is
expected to contribute immediately. Catron is a solid low post
scorer and, despite being undersized at 6-6, has plenty of
strength to battle with the best of the big guys in the Pac-10.
The return of Mitch Platt will spark some interesting playing
time battles up front. Platt started 24 games in 2004-2005
before missing all of last season while recovering from multiple
left foot surgeries. The backcourt doesn’t need much from the
newcomers, but Churchill Odia, LaKendric Longmire and Tajuan
Porter will battle for some minutes off the bench. Odia saw
limited action for Xavier as a freshman before transferring to
Oregon and the 6-6 guard will be groomed to take over the point
guard duties next year. That is unless fellow newcomer Tajuan
Porter proves to be a better option. At 5-7, Porter only has
the size to run the point, but he’s really a scorer first.
He’ll have to work on creating shots for himself and his
teammates, but should get a chance for some minutes off the
bench as a freshman. LeKendric Longmire will fit nicely into
the Duck’s style of play. The 6-5 wing is a big time threat in
the open court and will be another exciting perimeter player for
Oregon.
Who to Watch:
Everybody on the perimeter is fun to watch. Malik Hairston is
the team’s best player and averaged 15.0 points, 4.7 rebounds
and 2.2 assists as a sophomore in 2005-2006. Hairston arrived
amid high expectations and maybe as an upperclassman he can
start to turn his solid play into a better team effort. Aaron
Brooks will return for his senior season after flirting with
transferring. The 6-0 senior is a good point guard and has
always had the potential to be great with a little more
consistency. Chamberlain Oguchi came on strong at the end of
the year. He’s a solid long range shooter and if Oguchi picks
up where he left off, Bryce Taylor will be relegated to the
bench. Taylor started 13 games last year before being slowed by
knee injuries and the emergence of Oguchi.
Final
Projection:
The newcomers
will drastically improve the depth of the frontcourt, but there
are some returning players who could be starting once again.
Maarty Leunen had an impressive sophomore campaign, averaging
7.2 points and a team high 6.1 rebounds. The 6-9, Redmond,
Oregon native can step out and hit the long ball, but will be
most valuable for the Ducks grabbing boards under the basket.
At 7-0 and 235 pounds, center Ray Schafer has the potential to
be a special player. He’s athletic and has quick feet for his
size, but after two years with Oregon, the production hasn’t
been there. Duck fans hope that it will come this season. One
would think that the group of juniors and seniors that have been
the core of this team for a couple years would develop nice
chemistry. However, 11 different players started at least two
games last year and Coach Kent has never seemed to settle on a
starting five. That doesn’t help the chemistry, even if it does
increase confidence for those who should be spending the season
coming off the bench. With a little help in the frontcourt and
players who know their roles, there is no way this team should
miss the NCAAs. One of those might happen, but both are
doubtful. And that leaves the Ducks swimming to the NIT.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected
Starting Five:
Aaron Brooks,
Senior, Guard, 10.8 points per game
Chamberlain
Oguchi, Junior, Guard, 9.6 points per game
Malik Hairston,
Junior, Guard, 15.0 points per game
Maarty Leunen,
Junior, Forward, 7.2 points per game
Ray Schafer,
Junior, Center, 4.0 points per game
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