Dante Could Debut For Ducks Wednesday

EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon men's basketball team is ranked No. 8 in the nation this week. By definition, the Ducks aren't lacking in many ways.

Where they might be, help is on the way. And soon – as early as the Ducks' next game, when they host Montana in Matthew Knight Arena on Wednesday evening (8 p.m., Pac-12 Network).

Freshman post N'Faly Dante will be in uniform and could make his collegiate debut for the Ducks (8-2), who are back at home after a thrilling overtime victory Saturday at No. 5 Michigan.

At 6-foot-11 and 252 pounds, Dante immediately becomes the biggest player on Oregon's roster. His debut will be particularly timely given the ongoing absence of injured senior forward Shakur Juiston.

"We don't have that kind of size," UO coach Dana Altman said. "His instincts are good; he's been well-coached. … He'll make the adjustment fairly quickly."

Dante can complement sophomore post Francis Okoro, a tough, rugged force up front. Dante's explosive athleticism will provide a different dynamic in terms of finishing at the rim, and blocking shots at the other end.

"Dante is what we need," junior wing Chris Duarte said. "Good kid, great player."

Added freshman forward Chandler Lawson: "It's a presence we've been missing."

Dante's playing time Wednesday will be dictated by how the game plays out, and his own conditioning. With only a couple of practices under his belt, Dante is still digesting Oregon's systems, and he isn't yet ready to play the sort of minutes the Ducks hope to eventually get from him.

"That's going to take time," Altman said. "But we knew that coming in. He's a pretty tough young man. I think he'll do a good job."

Dante is the newest member of a young but effective rotation on the front line, which complements the Ducks' wealth of experience in the backcourt. Senior point guard Payton Pritchard is the reigning Pac-12 player of the week after carrying the scoring load down the stretch at Michigan, while Duarte, senior transfer Anthony Mathis, freshman Addison Patterson and sophomore Will Richardson provided more scoring punch on the perimeter.

In the post, freshmen Lawson and CJ Walker have been making steady progress the last couple of weeks, and Okoro is Oregon's leading rebounder in the absence of Juiston.

"Every practice we're making each other better," Lawson said. "Figuring out what each other does and coming together as a team."

Michigan was Oregon's third top-10 opponent already this season, and fifth in the top 15.

"We've still got a lot of work to do," Duarte said. "Still working, trying to get better. (But) those games have been good for us."

Beginning Wednesday, the Ducks face a run of opponents champing at the bit to upset a Pac-12 team. Oregon will host Texas Southern on Saturday, and Alabama State the following weekend.

Altman will be pushing hard to make sure his team isn't still basking in the afterglow of the Michigan game.

"Those games are fun," Altman said. "That's why guys come here, to play in those types of game. And hopefully we'll have a lot more."

The presence of Dante on the roster beginning Wednesday night could set the stage for exactly that.