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.
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Montlake Madness Readers – Just throwing this out there: Are you guys interested in the rest of the Pac 10 and how they are looking? Or would you rather have us stick to UW?
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I’m interested and looking forward to #9-#1. Keep up the good work.
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My interest runs to college basketball drilling down to west coast, Pac-10(12), Washington state, UW(the focus) and including some local hs hoops.
All of those relate to UW.
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please continue 9-1 on the pac 10 preview(maybe more than 1 post in 5 days?)
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I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the rankings. I’m looking forward to commenting on some of the teams as well (not much to add on this one — I think you nailed it). I think #1 (the Huskies) and #10 (the Ducks) are easy. The rest are much harder. It sort of reminds me of football, where #1 is the Ducks and #10 are the Cougs — everything else is anybody’s guess.
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I like more stories on anything, I check the blogs several times a day, so more articles is better than less. I know it can be hard coming up with stories, and I’m interested in a pac-10 ranking.
And to comment on the Oregon preview, yes they have a short bench, but unless you run a full court press the entire game the bench isn’t that important. Towards the end of the season Pondexter and Thomas were playing 35+ minutes/game. As long as you have players that are in shape and are smart enough not to get into foul trouble, you don’t need to many subs for college hoops. I’m not gonna worry about the ducks this year, but next year with Jabari Brown it might get interesting.
One question: Do you guys know what style of play Altman likes to run?
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Altman looks to be a hard nosed defensive minded coach. His Creighton teams often ran full court press for all 40 minutes. I only dream that they try and do that to our guards. We will eat them alive.
He uses a high-post offense that creates a lot of driving lanes to the basket. They have traditionally taken a lot of threes in this offensive setting as well.
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I’m enjoying and looking forward to the remaining entries on the Pac-10. Thanks!
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I enjoy any entries you have… the countdown is a great idea. I still think an entry comparing recruiting rankings each year and how that translates to wins on the court would surprise people.
In todays world – it’s almost better to get 4star guys that stay 2-4 years than the 5stars that are 1-2 and done. Romar has found a good niche – the question is – can he take all these 3-4 star guys to a final four?
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