For a second straight year, the Oregon Ducks were eliminated in the NCAA Tournament's third round. But unlike last season, the Ducks are optimistic they have the core to not only return to the Round of 32, but to advance past it.
While the Ducks will graduate seniors Jalil Abdul-Bassit and Joseph Young, this year's Oregon team was built primarily upon freshmen and junior college transfers. It's been a rarity in Dana Altman's program to have continuity between seasons, but for one of the first times in his five years, the Ducks are possibly set up to return the bulk of a successful roster.
"I hope so," Altman said when asked about returning most of the roster. "That's totally their decision. I sure hope so."
Losing Young, the Pac-12's player of the year, will certainly hurt, but the Ducks should return a lineup featuring their No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 scorers in Elgin Cook, Dillon Brooks and Dwayne Benjamin. The Ducks are also set to return Jordan Bell, who set an Oregon single-season record for blocks in a season at 94, guards Casey Benson and Ahmaad Rorie, and a pair of 6-foot-10 forwards in Michael Chandler and Roman Sorkin. Coupled with a strong recruiting class that includes 5-star Tyler Dorsey, the Ducks are set up to enter next season in much different circumstances than this past year.
Granted, things can change. The Ducks weren't planning on the 2014-15 season beginning with just three returning scholarship players. But a sexual assault investigation and a pair of transfers altered that plan.
"Transfers are a big part of college basketball," Altman said. "I sure hope they all decide to stay. That's obviously their decision and I understand that. I like the guys we got coming in. I like the guys we have hopefully coming back and it's our job to put the team together."
On to the links:
Joseph Young's focus shifts to the NBA Draft.
Five storylines to watch during Oregon spring football.
Altman has been named a coach of the year finalist.
A four-star cornerback names Oregon his early leader.
Despite a bad two weeks, Oregon remains in the Baseball America top 25.