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 …

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 …

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 …

Keith Smith’s Star Ignites for Oregon Basketball Next Year

Bob Rickert Editorials

With at least five key players gone from this year’s team, the Ducks will reload with a bunch of highly touted freshmen and transfers and one ‘Glue Guy’ who may emerge as a star. Keith Smith, the guy who scored the final two points of Oregon’s 2017 season will likely have a huge impact on next year. Smith showed up …

Oregon Basketball Recruiting: It’s All About the Final Four

Jason Fowler Recruiting

Basketball recruiting is very different from football recruiting. For example, football has only one signing day; it’s always on the first Wednesday of February. Basketball has two signing periods. There is the early signing period, which was November 9th through the 16th. Then the normal signing period, according to nationalletter.org, for Division I ball runs from April 12th to May 17th this …

Oregon Ducks Basketball Even Better Next Year? Maybe.

Bob Rickert Editorials

Processing what just happened in Arizona may take a little while, but Oregon’s coaches are undoubtedly ready to turn the page and get on with continuing to build the program. With a little luck like they had last year, the 2017-18 Ducks could have even more depth, experience and talent. It’s incredible but true. We’ll take the stance that everyone …

Oregon Basketball Recruiting: Duck Signee Abu Kigab a Final Four Puzzle Piece for 2018?

Norm Hightower Recruiting

The Oregon Ducks are going to the Final Four. They haven’t been this close to a national championship since winning it all in 1939. This is a monumental accomplishment for head coach Dana Altman, who has brought consistency and pride to Eugene. The Ducks have won two consecutive Pac-12 championships and are in the NCAA tournament for the fifth season …