The Ducks made their magical run to the Final Four last season largely due to their otherworldly offensive production. With the G.O.A.T. leading the way, they ranked 3rd in the nation in scoring offense. But they struggled on the other half of the court, and didn’t even crack the top 50 in scoring defense.
What’s that old adage? Defense wins championships?
To put that into perspective, the team that the Ducks eventually lost to in the Final Four, and the eventual National Champion Baylor Lady Bears, ranked in the top 15 in both offensive and defensive categories in 2018-19.