Oregon Basketball at a Turning Point. Bring on the “Richardson Solution.”

Bob Rickert Editorials

The Ducks, led in the wrong direction by Paul White, still look like they don’t even know their own offense. Very little movement, terrible offensive decision making, and four guys standing around wondering who else is going to go one-on-one. But if Coach Dana Altman saw what others did, Oregon could be fine. Will Richardson grew up against Houston, and …

Oregon Basketball Flops, the Offense, and Recruiting

Bob Rickert Editorials

I’ll start with Texas Southern as that’s what is on everyone’s mind. Oregon laid a second half egg. Bol Bol didn’t post up aggressively and got pushed toward the baseline, Oregon still doesn’t know who their second scorer is, and Paul White keeps making mental mistakes. He’s a fifth-year senior, so there are no excuses, really. And you have to put …

High Expectations for Duck Basketball: Paul White May Be the KEY

Bob Rickert Editorials

Oregon’s rebuilt roster has some fans so excited you’d think the Ducks were favored to win the NBA title. Let’s just see if they can win the Pac-12 first, okay? Five returning players – Paul White, Payton Pritchard, Kenny Wooten, Abu Kigab, and VJ Bailey – will mesh together with that vaunted third-ranked recruiting class. So, why is White a key to this …

Oregon Basketball Recruiting: Miles Norris, Louis King and Wow … Look at What Might Be Coming

Bob Rickert Editorials

Oregon’s 2018 recruiting class looks like it might be the best in Duck history. With a little luck it might be the best in the nation as well. The Ducks have three players who’ll be leaving the program after this year: Roman Sorkin, MiKyle McIntosh and Elijah Brown.  High 4-star Miles Norris and 5-star Louis King are already committed. The list of …

Duck Basketball Returns Almost Nothing, but Has Enough to Beat Anyone

Bob Rickert Editorials

Coach Dana Altman has done it again. Despite losing eight players last spring, Oregon has enough talent to win 23-24 games and enough talent that they should be a Sweet Sixteen contender. Yes, it is amazing. The Oregon roster includes Payton Pritchard, Keith Smith, Roman Sorkin and players  you wouldn’t recognize if you stood next to them in the EMU. Here’s …

Why Ducks Fans Should Root for Thomas Tyner As a Beaver

Bob Rickert Editorials

“Once a Duck, always a Duck.” And, “It’s not like he went to the Huskies.” Those are the first two things that came to mind when I heard Thomas Tyner was going to graduate, transfer to Oregon State and resume his football career for a year. The former all-everything back at Aloha High School and former Duck says he’ll be …

Talent Flocks To Oregon: Big Time Commit, Big Time Visits

Bob Rickert Editorials

Miles Norris may be the most polished big man to ever step on Oregon’s campus when he arrives in the summer of 2018. Brian Bowen is a 5-star McDonald’s All-American who would be the highest rated player Oregon’s ever signed. Cameron Johnson is a transfer from Pitt who is the second rated graduate transfer this year behind Oregon’s other transfer …

Royce Freeman Deserves Heisman Front-runner Title

Bob Rickert Editorials

Yep, I said it. Royce Freeman is a running back that should be in the Heisman discussion right now.  Speed, power, good in short yardage and he can bounce it outside. And he offers the kind of lifetime numbers that will help East Coast writers understand how good he’s been and for how long. I’m not arguing there aren’t other great backs …

Elijah Brown Commits, and Dana Altman’s 2017 Recruiting Class Is Looking Amazing

Bob Rickert Editorials

Oregon landed a huge commitment from forward Kenny Wooten this past week but wasn’t able to secure Brandon McCoy. But never fear with coach Dana Altman and his staff, there are more recruits on the way. Elijah Brown has committed to Oregon, and the Ducks now have three big time starters for next season. What Is It’s amazing that Oregon’s now …

Kenny Wooten Brings Size, Athleticism, and Heart To Oregon Basketball

Bob Rickert Editorials

FishDuck Note: Oregon received the verbal commitment of Kenny Wooten yesterday, and it is expected he will sign a National Letter of Intent today with Oregon. He is an impact player, and we are fortunate to have Bob Rickert report on him immediately for all us basketball fans of our beloved Ducks.  Charles Fischer Kenny Wooten brings a level of …

Payton Pritchard Shoots to Lead Ducks Basketball

Bob Rickert Editorials

Never has there been a sport where a team’s future can change so quickly year after year after year. Just 12 months ago, the addition of Payton Pritchard seemed like a great get for Coach Dana Altman and his Oregon staff. After all, they had Dylan Ennis, Casey Benson, and Tyler Dorsey, who could all play the point. And even …