F David Kravish
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 221 lbs
Year: Sophomore
Sophomore forward David Kravish hasn’t been the player Mike Montgomery envisioned after a promising freshman campaign. Kravish is shooting just 47 percent after shooting almost 60 percent last year.
For a 6-foot-9 post player serving as the third option on offense, Kravish should be shooting much more efficiently than he has at this point in the season. An efficient shooting game on a decent number of shots will keep the Ducks’ interior defense honest, helping spread the floor for Allen Crabbe to have a big game.
In addition to shooting, Kravish is one of the Bears’ primary rebounders. Oregon’s bigs are both tall and strong, a tough matchup for the rail-thin Kravish. To gain the crucial rebounding advantage against the Ducks, Kravish must find a way to box out Arsalan Kazemi, one of the best rebounders in the country.
It’ll be a challenge for Kravish and a chance for him to meet or exceed the preseason expectations against their toughest matchup of the season.
— Michael Rosen
G Damyean Dotson
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 202 lbs
Year: Freshman
The difference between last year and this year in Eugene, Ore. has been freshman guard Damyean Dotson. Dotson, who leads the team with 11.5 points per game, has added an extra dimension to the already deep and balanced Ducks squad.
Dotson is a perfect piece in the Oregon puzzle. Athletic and fast, the 6-foot-5 guard from Houston, Tex. can use his height advantage against shorter guards to drive into the post. Dotson also has a decent perimeter shooting touch complementing his athleticism — he has made nearly one-third of his 76 3-point attempts this season.
Dotson, like most of the Ducks, is a system player who has thrived under coach Dana Altman. Altman rebuilt a slumping program with players that specifically fit his system. Since Altman took over the program in 2010, the Ducks have been progressing steadily, but they needed a player like Dotson to launch Oregon into top-25 legitimacy.
— Seung Y. Lee