Oregon and Conference Play
Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 6:01 pm
I think Oregon is in for a big surprise when they enter conference play. I don't believe that this team can win more than 9 conference games. I know there is a lot of optimism because of the UNLV win, but I think that if you look at the overall body of work in non-conference play, Oregon just caught UNLV on the right night. Overall there are some major issues that are going to get exposed, as Oregon plays more talented teams in conference play:
1) Oregon is turning the ball over at an alarming rate. They are almost at 6 more turnovers per game compared to last year, and that is BEFORE entering conference play. The team assist to turnover ratio is below 1 against mostly inferior competition.
2) The half court offense is just not very good. While this is not much of an issue against Houston Baptist College because of the difference in talent, this will be a major issue against the upper conference teams. Transition baskets will be more difficult to come by in conference play and this team is going to struggle to score the ball.
3) This team has major depth issues. After Woods, Emory, Singler, Artis, Dotson, and Kazemi, I don't see a lot of depth and Singler and Kazemi are clearly not 100% right now. Singler is probably going to be hampered all season with his knees. I think Carter and Loyd are possibly capable, if they are able to step up.
4) All freshman backcourt with very little experience. Talented back courts with leadership typically produce results in the PAC-12. While Artis and Dotson are very talented, they lack experience and they will have stretches where they don't play well. In addition, freshman tend to hit a wall mid way through their first season of college ball.
5) This team, while playing decent defense this year, lacks the ability to score the basketball in the half court. Last years team had players that could create shots in critical moments of key games (guys like Olu and Joseph and a healthy Singler) when the offense got stagnant. I just don't see a go-to scorer right now that can fill Joseph or Olu's or a healthy Singler's shoes in that role. dotson has potential, but he just lacks experience and consistency to fill that role.
1) Oregon is turning the ball over at an alarming rate. They are almost at 6 more turnovers per game compared to last year, and that is BEFORE entering conference play. The team assist to turnover ratio is below 1 against mostly inferior competition.
2) The half court offense is just not very good. While this is not much of an issue against Houston Baptist College because of the difference in talent, this will be a major issue against the upper conference teams. Transition baskets will be more difficult to come by in conference play and this team is going to struggle to score the ball.
3) This team has major depth issues. After Woods, Emory, Singler, Artis, Dotson, and Kazemi, I don't see a lot of depth and Singler and Kazemi are clearly not 100% right now. Singler is probably going to be hampered all season with his knees. I think Carter and Loyd are possibly capable, if they are able to step up.
4) All freshman backcourt with very little experience. Talented back courts with leadership typically produce results in the PAC-12. While Artis and Dotson are very talented, they lack experience and they will have stretches where they don't play well. In addition, freshman tend to hit a wall mid way through their first season of college ball.
5) This team, while playing decent defense this year, lacks the ability to score the basketball in the half court. Last years team had players that could create shots in critical moments of key games (guys like Olu and Joseph and a healthy Singler) when the offense got stagnant. I just don't see a go-to scorer right now that can fill Joseph or Olu's or a healthy Singler's shoes in that role. dotson has potential, but he just lacks experience and consistency to fill that role.