California returns a solid back court with a lot of potential. Patrick Christopher and Jerome Randle should have no trouble handling the point, while Jamal Boykin and Harper Kamp will play swing. However, like ASU, Cal must deal with a number of question marks in their front court. With senior Devon Hardin out the door, and Anderson declaring for the draft, someone on the roster will need to step up. Seven footer Jordan Wilkes saw limited playing time last year and did little to justify more time on the court, his best game was a 6 point, 6 rebound outing against the super power Nevada. Freshman import "Max" Zhang, coming in at a towering 7'2'', saw no playing time at all. Getting those two even up to role player status will do Cal a world of good.
Without Ryan Anderson Cal loses its entire front court, and it will have to look to a pair of unproven bench warmers to fill in the gaps. With Anderson the Golden Bears may be able to build a solid game in the post and will likely have another top tier offensive attack. Without him, Cal has many more obstacles to overcome. Only time can really tell what the near future holds for Berkeley Basketball, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Oregon [07-08: T-5th, 18-14 (9-9)]
Key Returners: Tajuan Porter (49.2 eFG%, 2.3 RPG, 2.4 APG), Joevan Catron (52.8 eFG%, 5.7 RPG, 2.2 APG).
Key Losses: Maarty Leunen (66.4 eFG%, 9.2 RPG, 2.8 APG), Malik Hairston (60.9% eFG%, 4.8 RPG, 2.1 APG), Bryce Taylor (54.6 eFG%, 3.8 RPG, 1.4 APG)
Key Additions: Michael Dunigan (Rivals: 4/5, #8 C, #32 overall)
Ernie Kent was on the short list to be fired, after Ben Braun and Jay John, before Oregon pulled off a bit of a late season surge to fight their way into the NCAA tournament. Its obvious why Kent may have been sent packing; after returning four of five starters from a squad that advanced to the elite eight Oregon failed to make a significant impact in the Pac-10. Ernie may be safe for now, but he better enjoy his summer break as he'll enter next year on the hot seat again.
As can be seen from the stat line above, Maarty Leunen may be the best player no one has ever heard of. He was the team's most efficient scorer with an impressive 66.4 effective field goal percentage, and somehow led the team in both rebounds and steals. Leunen also clocked in at second in points per game and assists. Oregon will also have to replace the athletic Malik Hairston, the teams leading scorer. Oregon must also find an answer for the loss of PG Aaron Brooks, the only player who didn't return from that elite 8 squad. For Oregon to be successful Tajuan Porter must step and fill that point guard role, along with improving his mediocre 49.2 eFG%. Joevan Catron in turn will be expected to anchor Oregon's interior, despite coming in at only 6'6''.
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