The Ducks have an incredible football team, and everyone knows it. But what about the basketball team?
Through 10 games this season, the Oregon Men’s Basketball Team has amassed a record of 7-3. All three losses came against very good teams, in Michigan, VCU and Ole Miss. After last night’s 79-56 trouncing of Cal State Northridge, the Ducks seems to be improving.
Last night, 6’10 highly-touted Junior College transfer, Michael Chandler, made his debut this season after nursing a knee injury through the first nine games. Chandler scored 13 points in limited playing time. Moving forward, having Chandler in the Ducks rotation will be a major asset, and one that could prove to help the Ducks contend in the Pac-12, and ultimately make it to the postseason.
Ahmaad Rorie crossing midcourt against the Ole Miss Rebels.
Through ten games, Joseph Young has pulled his weight, as most people expected. Young is a fifth year senior, and most people expect him to be a hot commodity come time for the NBA Draft in June. Anchoring the Ducks now, and for years to come, are the fabulous freshmen that Head Coach Dana Altman has recruited. Dillon Brooks contributed 12 points for the Ducks last night, meaning he has scored in double figures in every game this year. Brooks is averaging 15 points per contest, good enough for first place among freshman in the Pac-12. Starting in the backcourt with Young in every game this season is freshman Ahmaad Rorie. Last night, Rorie contributed nine points, and is proving to be a reliable guard that can take this program to new heights for years to come.
To go along with individual success, the Ducks have been playing well as a team. Through 10 games, the Ducks are in the Top 25 in the country in blocks and points scored, both great things to talk about. More importantly, the Ducks own the Pac-12 in rebounding and assists. The Ducks average 44.2 rebounds, and 18 assists a game. With these numbers and the help that will come with the play of tall Chandler, it looks like the Ducks have the pieces they need.
We still have two weeks to go until the Rose Bowl, but there are many basketball games that will be fun and exciting to watch. Stay tuned, as the Men’s Basketball Team is showing a lot of promise.
Top Photo by Donald Alarie
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Jason is a Junior at the University of Oregon, currently double majoring in Public Relations and Political Science. Jason has been an avid sports fan for his entire life, growing up playing Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Over the last year, Jason has found his love for sports reporting, and enjoys creating pieces that use his love and knowledge for sports to portray his message. In his spare time, Jason enjoys obsessing over Ducks sports, Scuba Diving around the world, and listening to music. Tweet at Jason…. @1seltank. He loves talking sports with other avid sports fans.