Oregon Basketball With and Without Bol Bol

Bob Rickert Editorials

Oregon’s offense never felt more vulnerable than the moment we learned Bol Bol hurt his foot against San Diego. And it never looked more vulnerable than in the first half against Boise State. Bol’s foot is in a walking boot and will be evaluated later this week. Say a prayer. Cross your fingers. Burn some incense. Do whatever you need …

Appreciating the Art of Louis King’s Game

Bob Rickert Editorials

Louis King’s game is unique. His physical presence changes the opponent’s offense, and his ability to score in multiple ways creates big match-up problems for coaches. The more you watch him play, the more you see his game has an abstract feeling to it. It’s more Jackson Pollack than Renoir, more Mondrian than Georgia O’Keeffe. That’s the best way I …

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 …

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 …

Looking Back at Oregon’s Best Basketball Season in 78 Years

Bob Rickert Editorials

We all remember the losses and as coach Dana Altman said, ‘This one’s going to hurt for awhile.’ But there’s so much to be proud of this team for, and so much to look ahead to. The pre-season Oregon started the season with Chris Boucher on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Injuries hit them early, and they played without Dillon …

The Altman Era – Looking Ahead

Bob Rickert Editorials

Yes, Oregon is playing Michigan for a spot in the Elite 8. But for a couple moments let’s look at the trajectory of Oregon’s program under Dana Altman. Altman is on his way to being a Hall-of-Fame coach. One Final Four or one national title and he’s almost assured of it. At the pace he’s on, if he coaches another …