Oregon Ducks Power Index: 31.8*

Oregon will compete for it all because the Ducks get the ball up and down the floor as quickly as any team in the country, and because Ernie Kent has the most skilled tandem in the nation in Luke Ridnour and Luke Jackson. I believe that Ridnour is the best all-around point guard in the nation, with an ability to handle, pass, penetrate and pitch or pull the trigger, and to hit from range that is second to none in college basketball. Jackson is a little bit of Mike Dunleavy and Chris Mullin, a lefty who can play in the post or on the perimeter, and has very high skill level. Jackson, with Ridnour looking to feed him, can lead the Pac-10 in scoring, and Ridnour can lead the league in assists and 3-point shooting. To win at the highest level, Oregon must get high-level interior play from Robert Johnson, a fine rebounder and post defender, skilled big man Jay Anderson, and Ian Crosswhite, a capable center that can use either hand inside. If the Ducks build on the defensive improvements and strides they made last season, there is no reason they can't challenge for the Pac-10 title. And if you can win the Pac-10, you can win it all in New Orleans. -- Jay Bilas

Toughness: 6.2
The Ducks were easy targets last season because no one knew how tough they could be until they got into the Pac-10 season. Oregon blitzed through the league and won games at UCLA and USC. Oregon's toughness came from the Lukes and Freddie Jones. If someone can replace Jones' toughness, then Oregon has a legit shot to compete for the Pac-10 title again. The Lukes won't wilt in late-game situations. But they need a tougher guard, someone like Andre Joseph or James Davis or Robert Johnson, to be that third perimeter player who won't back down. The frontcourt will be a work in progress but the toughness on this team comes from the outside-in.

Talent: 7.3
Oregon has the talent in the two Lukes. Is it enough? Well ... Johnson, Joseph and Davis must make perimeter shots to keep the Ducks from being too predictable, although that's even a reach considering the two Lukes aren't easy to find on the court. The big men must produce for Oregon to be a factor and that means Crosswhite, Brian Helquist and Anderson must produce for Oregon to be a factor in March again. The two Lukes are a pair of future NBA players, but they won't be enough to get Oregon one step closer to the Final Four.

Tourney Tested: 6.7
Oregon is tourney tested after getting to the Elite Eight last season. The Lukes are determined to get to the Final Four and that drive should play well come March. The Ducks will need another player, possibly Johnson, to emerge as a leader. The Lukes will be the primary locker room leaders, but someone else has to give them that calming presence the way Jones did last season. Oregon will lose some games it didn't last season, especially if it has to go to a smaller lineup, but this team was there last season and getting deeper in the tournament won't be a shock.

Schedule: 7.3
The Ducks upgraded their schedule, with a game against Kansas in Portland, a road game against Pepperdine and a neutral-site date against Cincinnati in the Jimmy V Classic. Playing one more marquee game would have been good, but no one is complaining considering they've got a rugged Pac-10 schedule. Oregon probably has to win at least one of these games to stay in the Power 16. Oregon gets a good break with the beginning of the Pac-10 against Arizona in Eugene. But the end of the season won't do the Ducks any favors, with USC, UCLA at home and the road trip to take on the Arizona schools to end the regular season.

Xs & Os: 4.3
Ernie Kent wasn't a rip and run coach at Saint Mary's, but he has adjusted his coaching style since he arrived at Oregon. He gave Ridnour the freedom to look for the quick strike and push the basketball as fast as he can once he gets the outlet pass. He'll probably do it even more with a smaller lineup. Kent demands a tough, intense defensive effort and wants a more cerebral team. He's getting that with this crew and will have it as long as the Lukes stay in Eugene.

-- Andy Katz

ESPN.com's Power Index is based on a 10-point scale in each of these five categories: Toughness, Talent, Schedule Strength, Tournament Tested, Xs & Os. Teams are scored based on returning players, coaching staffs, a program's past performances in the regular season and postseason, as well as expectations heading into the 2002-03 season.