The expectations for the Oregon men’s basketball team this season are at an all-time high by most accounts.
And why shouldn’t they be? After all, four of the team’s five starters are back and all of the seniors are set to be done with classes before the Pacific-10 Conference schedule begins.
Add in a summer of all-star-level competition for the teams’ marquee players and the emergence of Joevan Catron as a legitimate fifth starter and the expectations make even more sense.
But coach Ernie Kent seems, to me, a bit nervous about the level of expectations. A couple of weeks ago, before the team’s exhibition games, I approached the coach before practice to talk about Joevan Catron and what he has shown the coach to stake his claim to the fifth starting spot.
I got my quotes and put my tape recorder away. Then, much to my surprise, Kent had a few questions for me – mostly about expectations. What my expectations had been for the football team this season, what I expected from the basketball team this season, and how the two might coincide in fans’ minds.
And though he was calm and comfortable throughout the conversation, I sensed some measure of apprehensiveness on his part regarding the level of expectations for the basketball team.
After watching the first few games this season, let me go on the record as one who believes that this team can live up to the hype.
In other words: It’s cool, coach. Chill out.
Because the Ducks look good so far. I know they haven’t played anyone “elite” yet, but they have shown a mix of veteran leadership and youthful exuberance that bode well for the season, even in the loaded Pac-10 Conference.
Veterans Maarty Leunen, Malik Hairston and Bryce Taylor all bring a sense of calm determination to the team. These guys have been through this all before and know it’s a marathon, not a sprint. They also know, and can impart to the youngsters, what it takes to win at the highest levels of college basketball.
And though the expectations surrounding the team are centered around those three and last year’s freshman phenom, Tajuan Porter, the Ducks will live up to those expectations because of their depth. There are future stars emerging on this team who are ready to contribute now.
Freshman guard Kamyron Brown will be key this season. He has shown creativity and flash with his passes. It led to some extra turnovers in the exhibition games, but it looks like his teammates are learning to always be ready for the ball when he is on the court.
And that’s good, because Brown said he won’t stop trying to thread the needle to cut down on turnovers. His teammates will have to learn to play with him.
Brown also possesses the ability to break down his defender off the dribble. This is the key to opening up outside shots for Oregon’s array of shooters. Aaron Brooks played that role last year, driving the lane and forcing defenses to collapse in before kicking it out to an open shooter. This is one area of the game in which Brown can help replace Brooks.
Junior transfer Frantz Dorsainvil looks even better than advertised. He is a beast in the post and really affects the whole game on the defensive side of the floor. His shot-blocking presence makes every opposing player think twice about going inside, and he plays even bigger than his athletic 6-foot-8-inch frame.
Drew Viney and LeKendric Longmire have also been playing well. Viney’s outside stroke will be an asset, even on a team loaded with shooters, and Longmire has unrelenting energy on the court and an athleticism that can’t be taught.
So while expectations might be built on proven quantities like the veterans on this team, they are fulfilled only with help from tomorrow’s stars. The Pac-10 will be a meat-grinder this season, but the Ducks have the depth to be successful.
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