ASU Basketball: 2019 Pac-12 Week 7 Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
2. Oregon Ducks (8-3) LW: 4
It’s been a bit of an up and down season for the Oregon Ducks. Juggling injuries between their top two recruits in forwards Bol Bol and Louis King have kept the Ducks from flying with a full-flock.
King returned last week for the Ducks and it was expected that Oregon would begin to play at the level some projected it could prior to the season. But just as one piece was added to the board, another was taken off.
The 7-foot-2 inch Bol has an undisclosed lower leg injury. His production on both ends will sorely be missed, not to mention his shot-altering ability.
Replacing 21 points per game, 10 rebounds and almost three blocks is no easy task, and the Ducks will have to do it for awhile with no timetable available on Bol’s return.
Despite the injury bug making its rounds through Eugene, the Ducks managed to win their first game without the highly-touted freshman, defeating Boise State 66-54 behind junior guard Payton Pritchard’s 19 points and five rebounds.
The Ducks have players up and down the depth chart who can make an impact. The chance to show that statement’s worth is now. With Bol out, its up to coach Dana Altman to improvise in the interim.
Rotation players in forwards Paul White and Kenny Wooten, and guard Victor Bailey Jr. in addition to Pritchard and King are going to have to elevate their productions to soften the blow left by Bol.
Fortunately for Altman, the first tune-up came against 3-9 Florida A&M, a 71-64 win for the Ducks that displayed some new sets and Altman’s first crack at filling the Bol’s void.
Up next, the Ducks take a Texas-two-step and face off against Baylor in Waco.
Oregon is in a peculiar situation, balancing injuries and tempering expectations. The pressure is on, and it’s time for Altman to guide this team in turning a corner.
– Geraffo