6. University of Connecticut Huskies
(Photo: Getty)
Projected Starting Lineup:
- Hassan Diarra
- G Aidan Mahaney
- Wing Liam McNeeley
- Alex Karaban
- Samson Johnson
Bench top options:C Tarris ReedGRAM Ahmad NowellGRAM Solo ballTo the Jayden Ross
The premiere: On paper, UConn doesn’t have a roster that inspires concern in the rest of the country, but it might have the best coaching staff in the country. Dan Hurley kept assistants Young Kimani, Luke Murray and Tom Moore in the fold, and that continuity is huge. If UConn wants to defend its three-peat, the coaching staff has to make this young group work. If one of the young sophomores like Jayden Ross, Solo Ball or Jaylin Stewart Breaks out on a guy, you’ll know why. Those guys at the bank know what’s cooking.
This roster is loaded with talent and unproven as always. No one on this list has ever had a 25% usage rate in their respective careers. And yet, maybe it doesn’t matter.
There are high-end processors in this group, and Hurley has earned the benefit of the doubt. He will not ask anyone to do something they are not more than prepared to do. Hurley will do his best to cover up flaws, and the UConn staff is an elite game-planning unit.
The return of Alex Karaban it’s huge. The 6-foot-8 forward has achieved uncommon efficiency in a low-usage role in recent years. With additional volume, that efficiency will decrease a bit. How much is the most important question? But five stars Liam McNeeley is the closest thing to a plug-and-play freshman you’ll find in the Class of 2024, behind Cooper Flag.
UConn didn’t have to go crazy in the portal, but Tarris Reed (of Michigan) has the potential to be a great sleeper. He has all the tools to be a monster, but he won’t be asked to do much thanks to the return of the high-flying, bouncing big man. Samson Johnson. Santa Maria transfer Aidan Mahaney I couldn’t have picked a better destination than UConn. Hurley should give him more opportunities to play off the ball (where he is incredible) and less on the ball (where he struggled last year).
UConn is losing four starters to the NBA, and they are still considered the favorites to win the title.
That’s too rich for our blood, but Hurley’s fade over the past two years hasn’t ended well. Despite placing sixth, UConn is still in the upper tier of national championship contenders. It’s just a sizable group of rosters loaded this season.
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