No. 15 Oregon proved once again early into the season that just about anyone is capable of leading the team in scoring.
Against Arkansas State, Dwayne Benjamin led the Ducks with 25 points. In Wednesday’s 78-73 victory over Fresno State, he scored three.
Conversely, Dillon Brooks scored just four points against Arkansas State, but led the team with 21 points and 10 rebounds against the Bulldogs.
With Indiana Pacers guard Joseph Young back at Matthew Knight Arena to watch his former team, the Ducks were reminded of how different the team’s scoring output has been from last season to the present. Young led the team in scoring last season with 20 points per game, and the second highest scorer, Elgin Cook, averaged 13.
This season, however, Tyler Dorsey leads the Ducks with 15 points per game, while Chris Boucher, Cook, Benjamin and Brooks are all averaging around 12 points.
While Oregon’s offense has become incredibly balanced, head coach Dana Altman believes the Ducks are still missing Young’s leadership on both sides of the court, particularly his communication.
“He was a really good leader,” Altman said. “He talked a lot when we were having a little trouble communicating. We don’t have a lot of guys that talk [this season]… That’s just got to improve. Guys have to have accountability and we have to communicate a little better.”
Oregon led Fresno State by as many as 19 points early in the second half. But routine problems once again plagued the Ducks down the stretch. Oregon committed 17 turnovers, were outrebounded by Fresno State 41 to 32, and once again missed timely free throws, shooting just 26 of 36 from the line.
“We’ve definitely made progress, but I’d like to finish games stronger,” Altman said. “That’s the third time now we’ve had a double-digit lead and let the game come back. Baylor, Valpo and [tonight]… We’re not finishing the game.”
Fresno State guard Marvelle Harris, who had a team-high 18 points, brought the Bulldogs to within four after hitting a three with 1:51 remaining. Brooks bailed out the Ducks with a layup, and Cook followed with two made free throws to give the Ducks an eight-point cushion. It was just enough to get the win.
The Ducks have had the luxury of catching teams on bad nights, including Wednesday. Although Fresno State came into the game 5-0, the Bulldogs looked sluggish from the opening tip. Oregon quickly built an 11-0 lead, and Fresno State managed just 25 first half points while shooting 9-for-31 (29 percent) from the field. Oregon won’t have this luxury for long.
“At times I really feel like we’re ahead defensively,” Altman said. “You hold somebody to 25 points in the first half, 29 percent from the field, guys are flying around and they don’t get many good looks. You have pretty good feelings. Then in the second half, they shoot 50 percent and get a lot of good looks. That’s discouraging. It just shows how far we have to go.”
The Ducks are 6-0 through six home games, but now will be tested with three consecutive games on the road, beginning Friday against 6-1 UNLV in Las Vegas.
“We have to [go on the road] sometime,” Altman said. “We’ll have our full hands full, the crowd will be a good one, but it will be a really good experience for us.”
Follow Will Denner on Twitter @Will_Denner