The Oregon Ducks had some major questions coming into the season about their offensive production this season. Those questions became full-blown concerns before their opener against the Georgetown Hoyas when Dominic Artis and Ben Carter were suspended indefinitely. But the Ducks are 2-0 in the early going and averaging 94.5 points as their offense has looked very strong thanks to the efforts of Joseph Young stepping in and picking up the slack.
Young, a transfer from Houston, stepped into the starting lineup and has been a leader for this Oregon squad from the start. He’s averaged 35.0 minutes per game and leads the team with 30.0 points per game. Against Georgetown, he put in 24 points with five rebounds and an assist and then took it to another level against West Carolina when he scored 36 points with six rebounds, two assists and three steals as the Ducks blew past the 100-point mark.
The key for Young has been his ability to get to the rim, create contact and convert at the free throw line. In two games, Young is 27-of-28 from the charity stripe. That has helped to sustain the Oregon offense, putting easy points on the scoreboard and giving the Ducks consistent scoring early on this season thanks to Young’s ability to draw the foul.
The Oregon offense will only get better as the season goes along as they get their veteran leaders back from suspension. For now, Young is picking up the slack in a major way and keeping the Ducks on track in the early stretches of the season. Will it be enough to keep the Ducks in the Pac-12 race?
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