2024 FTN NFL Power Rankings Through Week 15: Who Takes Over the Top Spot?
Daniel Kelley
Check out our entire college basketball season preview!
The college basketball season is less than three weeks away, and here at FTN Fantasy we have you covered for what promises to be another thrilling year of upsets and incredible finishes. I will be taking you around the country with a betting preview of the major conferences. I recap the betting trends from last season, list projected starters, preview the season, identify a key player, and reveal how I’m backing or fading each team.
Let’s continue with the largest conference in college basketball, the Big Ten. This conference underwent massive changes, adding four new teams from the Pac-12 in Washington, USC, Oregon and UCLA. The expansion has not diluted the competitive level of the Big Ten, ranking third (same as last year) in KenPom preseason rankings.
Let’s check out our betting preview for the Michigan State Spartans. I give a huge shout-out to our newest contributor, Gus Kearns, for his extensive research on the Big Ten.
2024-2025 College Basketball Season Preview: Oregon Ducks
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Dana Altman (15th season)
2023-2024 Record: 24-12 (12-8)
ATS: 17-19
O/U: 22-14
Projected Starters: G Jackson Shelstad; G TJ Bamba; G Brandon Angel; F Kwame Evans Jr.; F Nate Bittle
Oregon was the winner of the (final?) Pac-12 conference tournament, which led to a subsequent first-round NCAA Tournament upset of South Carolina and a double-OT loss to Creighton in the Round of 32. This was a fitting finale for the Ducks under the brilliant coaching of Dana Altman, who always operated from a position of strength. That Creighton game was one of the best matchups of the season, with N’Faly Dante blossoming into an NBA draft pick right before our eyes.
Losing your two top scorers usually is problematic, but not for Altman. The Ducks program is based on a rare trifecta of future NBA players, useful transfers and talented freshmen. Sophomores Kwame Evans Jr and Jackson Shelstad return as popular breakout lists across social media. Toledo’s Ra’Heim Moss (15.5 PPG, 1.7 SPG) will help Shelstad in the backcourt. Forward Supreme Cook (10.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG) brings some east coast grind to the Ducks via Georgetown, although he is still recovering from knee surgery during the offseason. Stanford’s Brandon Angel (13 PPG, 44.7% 3P) will score it from the wing. Oregon is hopeful that center Nate Bittle can find health this season, after missing 31 games due to injury and sickness.
Key Player: TJ Bamba
The 6-foot-5 Bamba started all 33 games for Villanova last season, averaging 10 PPG, 3.6 RPG and 1.8 APG. Bamba is familiar to Oregon and the new West Coast team in the Big Ten, after spending his first three collegiate seasons with Washington State. His last year with the Cougars translated to 15.8PPG and 37% 3P range, which is more his normal projection away from the struggling Villanova squad. This team is very dangerous and Bamba’s elite versatility and durability make him the critical piece to Oregon’s first Big Ten season.
Projection
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