Don't Expect Much From Oregon Basketball

After a mediocre last year for the veteran Ducks, the 2008-09 campaign seems to lack luster.

Going into the 2007-08 season, a lot of people had high hopes for Oregon, but tough non-conference losses to St. Mary's and Oakland put a damper on the beginning of the season. A four-game losing streak in Pac-10 play made things worse.

Regardless, the Ducks snuck into the Big Dance with a nine-seed and lost to Mississippi State.

Well, it's a new year, and with few key returners, 2008-09 will be somewhat of a rebuilding year. Freshman Michael Dunnigan is a solid recruit from Farragut Academy (Garnett went there).

Coach Ernie Kent has been recruiting more towards the Midwest since getting Malik Hairston and Tajuan Porter out of Detroit, and they both turned out pretty good. Dunnigan is the future of this team.

But it's going to take time. The starting five throughout the season will most likely feature three guards in LeKendrick Longmire, Tajuan Porter, and Churchill Odia, with forward Joevan Catron, and Dunnigan at center.

That lineup features two sophomores and three freshmen. Oregon proved that they have very little experience in an overtime loss at home to Oakland. It won't be surprising if the Ducks lose a few games this year and likely hover around the bottom of the Pac-10. 

Don't worry, though, Ducks fans—they won't be there long. Tajuan Porter can stroke it from beyond the arc, and now he needs to learn to be a leader. Last season he was just a freshman phenom, but Porter will undoubtedly be faced with a leadership role this year, as he's the only returning starter. 

If Dunnigan can have a big impact, the Porter-Dunnigan duo could be one that thrives for the next couple of seasons. I look for this year to simply be one that establishes the bond between these two young guys.

Let's not forget that Ernie Kent just signed a contract extension, and he'll be coaching in Eugene for years to come. Who knows if that'll be a good choice looking back, but for now, he's the coach at Oregon.

Dunnigan posted a double-double in the OT loss to Oakland, and Porter had 17 points on 4-6 shooting from the perimeter. If he can continue to shoot like that from downtown, I see Oregon being a serious threat after the initial development of this young squad happens. 

As for this season, I'm not expecting much to go down in Eugene. I look for mediocrity or slightly below for the Ducks this year, but excellence in the coming years.