Arizona Basketball Oregon Basketball: Ducks Soar To New Heights A Season Preview
# The Pac-12 Conference has long been a battleground for college basketball supremacy, with Arizona and Oregon emerging as perennial contenders.
As the 2023-24 season approaches, the Oregon Ducks appear poised to reach new heights under head coach Dana Altman, while the Arizona Wildcats, led by Tommy Lloyd, remain a formidable force.
This investigative piece critically examines the complexities of both programs, analyzing roster changes, coaching strategies, and the broader implications for the Pac-12 landscape.
While Arizona remains a powerhouse with elite recruiting and offensive efficiency, Oregon’s aggressive roster reconstruction, transfer portal success, and Altman’s tactical adaptability position the Ducks as the Pac-12’s most intriguing dark horse one capable of surpassing preseason expectations and challenging for conference dominance.
Arizona enters the season with continuity, returning key players like Oumar Ballo and Pelle Larsson while adding five-star freshman K.
J.
Lewis.
Under Lloyd, the Wildcats have embraced an up-tempo, high-scoring offense, ranking among the nation’s best in points per game (82.
3 in 2022-23).
However, their reliance on freshman talent and defensive inconsistencies particularly in transition raise questions about their ability to sustain dominance in a deeper Pac-12.
Oregon, meanwhile, has undergone a near-complete roster overhaul.
The Ducks lost key contributors like Will Richardson but reloaded through the transfer portal, adding former five-star center Kel’el Ware (Indiana) and elite scorer Jesse Zarzuela (TCU).
Altman’s ability to integrate transfers evidenced by past successes with Chris Duarte and Payton Pritchard gives Oregon a unique edge.
According to, the Ducks boast the No.
1 transfer class in the Pac-12, a testament to Altman’s recruiting acumen.
Tommy Lloyd’s system thrives on offensive fluidity, with Arizona ranking in the top 10 in assists per game (18.
5) last season.
However, their defense (ranked 56th in adjusted efficiency per ) has been a recurring weakness, particularly against disciplined half-court teams.
In contrast, Altman’s Oregon squads are known for defensive versatility.
The Ducks ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency last season, employing aggressive switches and rim protection.
With Ware’s shot-blocking presence and returning guard Jermaine Couisnard’s perimeter defense, Oregon could stifle Arizona’s high-octane attack in head-to-head matchups.
While Arizona relies on blue-chip recruits, Oregon’s success hinges on the transfer portal a strategy increasingly defining modern college basketball.
According to, Altman has landed 15 transfers since 2020, more than any other Pac-12 coach.
This approach mitigates roster turnover, allowing Oregon to remain competitive despite NBA departures.
Arizona, meanwhile, faces pressure to develop freshmen quickly.
While Lloyd’s player development is proven (Bennedict Mathurin, Dalen Terry), relying on youth in a deep conference carries risks.
If Lewis and fellow freshman Motiejus Krivas struggle early, the Wildcats could falter in critical games.
Both teams face uncertainties.
Arizona’s thin frontcourt beyond Ballo leaves them vulnerable to foul trouble, while Oregon’s reliance on Ware who underperformed at Indiana could backfire.
Additionally, the Pac-12’s expanded schedule (20 conference games) increases fatigue risks, particularly for Arizona’s fast-paced style.
Oregon’s non-conference slate (featuring matchups against Michigan State and Houston) will test their cohesion early.
If they emerge unscathed, they could enter Pac-12 play as a top-15 team.
Arizona, meanwhile, must navigate road trips to UCLA and USC traditionally hostile environments.
The Pac-12’s impending dissolution adds urgency to this season.
With UCLA and USC departing for the Big Ten, Arizona and Oregon are positioned as the conference’s future standard-bearers.
A strong season could bolster their cases for power conference realignment invitations.
Moreover, Oregon’s transfer-heavy model may signal a broader shift in roster construction.
As ’s Jeff Borzello notes, “Teams that master the portal can reload faster than those dependent on high school recruits.
” If Oregon thrives, more programs may emulate their approach.
While Arizona remains a title contender, Oregon’s roster flexibility, defensive prowess, and Altman’s tactical brilliance make them the Pac-12’s most compelling team.
The Ducks’ ability to mesh transfers quickly will determine their ceiling, but early indicators suggest a breakthrough season.
For Arizona, maintaining offensive dominance while shoring up defensive lapses is critical.
If they fail to adapt, Oregon and other rising Pac-12 foes could dethrone them.
Ultimately, this season may redefine the conference’s hierarchy, with Oregon’s aggressive roster strategy offering a blueprint for success in the transfer portal era.