In the first USA TODAY Ferris Mowers Coaches poll of the season, Dana Altman’s Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team is No. 12 in the nation.
The Ducks ended last season losing in the Sweet 16 to USC, but Altman has rebuilt the roster to go around point guard Will Richardson and big men N’Faly Dante and Franck Kepnang.
Oregon was selected to finish second in the Pac-12 behind UCLA and the Ducks find themselves behind the Bruins in the coaches poll as well. The defending national champions are ranked No. 2 in the country as Gonzaga takes the top spot.
As with football, the conference is finding it difficult to have their teams ranked, but unlike football, the basketball season is fluid and several teams should be ranked sometime during the 2021-22 season.
USC managed to receive 38 votes, Arizona received eight votes and Colorado found two people to pencil them in as well.
Oregon will open the season on Nov. 9 when the Ducks host Texas Southern.