Oregon to be without Richardson, Dante for NIT game against Utah State
When Oregon opens play at the NIT Tuesday night, it’ll do so without its starting center and its top scorer.
Will Richardson and N’Faly Dante will both miss the Ducks’ opening-round game against Utah State with non-COVID illnesses, the school announced Tuesday. Neither traveled with the team.
Richardson leads Oregon with 14.1 points a night in 30 starts this season. He has missed the previous four games due to an illness, including both of the Ducks’ games at the Pac-12 Tournament.
Oregon was able to get by Oregon State in the first round of conference tournament play thanks to a 23-point, 11-assist outing from guard Jacob Young. Against the Colorado Buffaloes in the quarterfinals, though, Oregon’s offense missed Richardson’s ability to create with the ball in his hands.
Dante has started 27 of his 31 appearances this season while averaging eight points (67% shooting) and 6.1 rebounds a game.
The Ducks meet Utah State (18-15) at 6 p.m. PT in Logan, Utah.