Pac-10 Hoops Preview: Dana Altman Takes on Coaching Challenge for Oregon Ducks

2009-10 Record: Oregon (16-16; 7-11 Pac-10) Returns 1 Starter

HEAD COACH: Dana Altman, first year at Oregon (410-243 career)

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Malcolm Armstead, SG Teondre Williams, SF E.J. Singler, PF Jeremy Jacob, PF Joevan Catron.

Two very bright spots for the Oregon Men’s Basketball program are 1) the arrival of Dana Altman (winner of over 400 college games) as Head Coach, and 2) the opening of the new Matthew Knight Arena (The projected construction cost of $200 million will make it the most expensive on campus basketball arena in the United States). In most cases, these would inject a high level of interest and enthusiasm leading towards the upcoming season. However, even these significant events can’t compensate for the bleak conditions of the Ducks hoops program.

For the last 16 years, Altman has successfully led the Creighton University program—making it 13 straight times to post-season play. But, Altman is not in Omaha and the Missouri Valley Conference any more. He has a major rebuilding job to undertake as he assumes the head coaching position at Oregon.  

TaJuan Porter—the team's top scorer a year ago—is gone. Five players (Matt Humphrey, Jamil Wilson, Josh Crittle, Drew Wiley and Michael Dunigan) from last year's team have defected.

Malcolm Armstead (PG—10.3 ppg) is the best returning player. Forward E.J. Singler (6.1 ppg) and guard Teondre Williams (6.4) also have experience. Because Altman and his staff pulled off some recruiting magic, some of the newcomers (Jay-R Strowbridge, Tyrone Nared, Johnathan Loyd, and Martin Seiferth) could contribute from Day 1.

Realistictly, this will be a challenging season for the Ducks, the clear pick to finish last in the Pac-10. Hopefully, the Eugene faithful will be so ecstatic about this year's football team that they won't be too critical of Altman and the Ducks as they try to get going again.

Sat, Nov 13	Denver
Sun, Nov 14	UCSB
Sat, Nov 20	San Jose St.
Tue, Nov 23	Texas Southern
Sat, Nov 27	(1) Duke
Thu, Dec 2	(15) Missouri
Sun, Dec 5	Portland St.
Sat, Dec 11	Willamette
Mon, Dec 13	Jacksonville St.
Fri, Dec 17	at Virginia
Tue, Dec 21	Idaho
Thu, Dec 30	Arizona
Sat, Jan 1	Arizona St.
Thu, Jan 6	at (18) Washington
Sat, Jan 8	at Washington St.
Thu, Jan 13	USC
Sat, Jan 15	UCLA
Sat, Jan 22	at Oregon St.
Thu, Jan 27	at Stanford
Sat, Jan 29	at California
Thu, Feb 3	Washington St.
Sat, Feb 5	(18) Washington
Thu, Feb 10	at UCLA
Sat, Feb 12	at USC
Sat, Feb 19	Oregon St.
Thu, Feb 24	California
Sat, Feb 26	Stanford
Thu, Mar 3	at Arizona St.
Sat, Mar 5	at Arizona