Oregon Ducks Basketball Ready for Big Ten Challenge with Key Players Returning

The Oregon Ducks are gearing up for their second season in the Big Ten, aiming to build on last year’s performance after finishing with a record of 25-10 and 12-8 in conference play. Under the leadership of head coach Dan Altman, who has amassed 780 career wins over his coaching tenure, the Ducks are looking to capitalize on returning talent and new acquisitions.

Nate Bittle, a standout center standing at 7 feet, has opted to return for another season after considering a move to the NBA. Last season, he emerged as a key player for Oregon, leading the Big Ten with an average of 2.1 blocks per game while also contributing 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. His All-Big Ten selection highlights his impact on the court, making him a player to watch this season.

Joining Bittle in the spotlight is Jackson Shelstad, a junior guard who averaged 13.7 points, alongside 2.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season. Although recovering from a broken hand, Shelstad is expected to be ready for the season opener against Hawaii on November 4.

The Ducks will also see the return of Kwame Evans Jr., a junior forward who, despite a limited role last season, is anticipated to step up significantly this year. He averaged 6.1 points and 4.6 rebounds in a bench role but brings considerable talent as a former top-15 recruit.

As the team prepares for the upcoming season, they face challenges with the departure of key players. Senior guard TJ Bamba has transitioned to professional basketball in Germany, while fellow senior Keeshawn Barthelemy has also moved on. To bolster their roster, Oregon has added senior Takai Simpkins, who averaged 16.4 points last season at Elon, and junior forward Devon Pryor from Houston. Another intriguing addition is Wei Lin, who has three seasons of professional experience in China, along with Ege Demir, a 6-foot-11 center from Nigeria with prior professional experience in Turkey.

Oregon’s schedule includes several noteworthy matchups as they kick off the season with four non-conference games. After opening against Hawaii, the Ducks will participate in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas later in November. They will also face tough competition against No. 12 UCLA on December 6 and a neutral site game against No. 21 Gonzaga in Portland on December 21. The Big Ten season begins on the road against Maryland on January 2, with the regular season concluding at home against rival Washington on March 7.

Last season, the Ducks achieved a ranking as high as No. 9 in the AP Top 25 and made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. Altman has maintained a consistent record, leading the program to win 20 or more games each season since he took over in 2010-2011. The team experienced its best season since 2020 with a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2021.

Despite the strong foundation, the Ducks will have to navigate the absence of newcomer Efe Vatan, a 6-foot-10 forward from Turkey, who will not be available at the start of the season due to a foot injury. As the Ducks prepare for the challenges ahead, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this talented roster will perform in the highly competitive Big Ten landscape.