The start of the College Basketball season couldn't come soon enough for fans of the Connecticut Huskies. Just two years ago, UConn completed an improbable run (well not improbable for yours truly) to the school's fourth men's National Championship. Last year the Huskies stumbled to a 20-15 mark, and first round exit from the NIT, leaving fans pining for what appears to be a promising 2016 campaign. The Huskies open the season ranked 20th, and have the pieces to make a Sweet Sixteen run a reasonable expectation.
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| UConn will look to replace the production of last years leading scorer, Ryan Boatright |
In order to reach their potential, UConn must replace the veteran leadership and production on the court from departed senior guard Ryan Boatright who led the Huskies in minutes, points, assists, and steals per game as well as free throw percentage in 2014-2015. Kevin Ollie's squad appears more than capable of doing so with the addition of fifth-year senior transfers Shonn Miller (formerly of Cornell) and Sterling Gibbs (formerly of Texas and most recently Seton Hall). The fifth-year transfer has worked well for Ollie in the past. Lasan Kromah, a then fifth-year transfer from George Washington, was a key contributor to the 2014 Championship team. Both Miller and Gibbs help address deficiencies from last year's squad. Miller should offer help down low on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, while also offering the versatility to play the five in a stretch-4 line-up. Gibbs on the other hand will do well to replace Boatright's offensive production, offering an ability to cut to the rim and a more dynamic threat from long range than Boatright did.
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| Jalen Adams looks to be a star in the making for the Huskies |
The Huskies have also added two dynamic freshman to a squad that looks to have a 10-deep quality rotation. This rotation will be compressed to 8 by the time March rolls around, but offers Kevin Ollie flexibility to experiment and work through injuries during the grind of the season. Freshman additions Jalen Adams and Steven Enoch, though both ready to play now, should only be aided by the depth on the UConn roster. Coach Kevin Ollie has said he hopes to allow Adams and Enoch to adjust to the college game with the help of his budding upperclassmen. Adams should play more minutes off the bat than Enoch, but look for both to be key contributors come playoff season.
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| Daniel Hamilton's (5) maturation is key to Huskies' success |
Beyond their new additions, the Huskies will be led by a bevy of young returning players. Versatile swingman Daniel Hamilton looks to be a first team all-AAC candidate, with the ability to run the point, stretch the floor, and play above the rim. Junior 7 footer Amida Brimah is one of the few remaining holdovers from the 2014 Championship squad, but his continued maturation on the offensive side of the ball offers exciting possibilities to a UConn offensive that has the athleticism and play-making ability to spread the floor. Last year's leading shot blocker in the nation also brings an imposing presence to the defensive side of the ball for a squad that has added length from forwards Shonn Miller and Steven Enoch. Guard Rodney Purvis rounds out the top returners for the Huskies who will also be helped by key contributors Omar Calhoun and Sam Cassell Jr and role players Kentan Facey and Phillip Nolan.
Athleticism and length will be one of the Huskies calling cards, as they should be able to overplay many of the teams they face, particularly in conference play. Their versatility will allow Coach Kevin Ollie to go small or big, and should allow a team that has uncharacteristically underperformed return to being one of the nation's leading rebounding and shot blocking teams. Their December 8th matchup with 3rd ranked Maryland will be a great measuring stick of where the team is, though they should be able to coast to an AAC championship. I expect the Huskies to make the Sweet Sixteen, though they have the pieces to make a deeper Championship run. This team is better than the 2014 squad that won it all as a collective, but doesn't look to have a star as bright as Shabazz Napier. With plenty of underclassmen contributors, UConn looks poised to compete both this year and next. The Huskies kick off their 2015-2016 campaign tonight against Maine at the Gampel Pavilion.
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