UConn’s prospects for this season can be summed up in two words - Hasheem Thabeet. If Thabeet improves on 2006-7 (and there was nowhere to go but up), the Huskies can move into the top 5 or 6. Jerome Dyson is dynamic. Jeff Adrien is a load down low. Stanley Robinson has to take a more active role. There are a lot of ifs here. But if Thabeet continues to make poor shots and not catch the ball, the Huskies are in trouble. Add to that there must be improvement on their 63% free throw shooting.

Frontcourt - Jeff Adrien (13.1ppg, 9.7rpg) can hold his own with any of the big men in the Big East. He stepped out to the foul line way too much last year. He has to stay down low. Thabeet is big. But had no hands and threw air balls from 3 feet out. He will be the key. Gavin Edwards (2.0ppg, 1.9rpg), Curtis Kelly (2.7ppg, 2.5rpg)  and Jonathan Mandeldove(0.9ppg, 0.9rpg) will lend support in the low post. If the wings can shoot it, then Adrien won’t feel as though he has to do it all like last year. GRADE - B

Backcourt - Jerome Dyson (13.8ppg, 3.6rpg) can play either guard position and the latest word is that he is at the point. Dyson is a dynamic player who carried the team for long stretches last year. If Dyson is at the point, then Marcus Johnson (5.5ppg, 3.0rpg) will step in as the SG. Johnson was a huge disappointment last season. he is a slasher but must be able to hit the 15 footer. Stanley Robinson (5.1ppg, 4.4rpg) may be the most talented player on the team. He will start at SF and will share time there with Johnson if the Huskies can find a true point guard. A.J. Price (9.4ppg, 3.6apg) could be that man. Price had trouble in BE games but did have some fine performances. He needs to step up and take the PG position to free Dyson to go back to 2 guard. Craig Austrie (5.8ppg, 2.2apg) is steady at the point but may not be quick enough for Calhoun’s up tempo plans. Doug Wiggins (6.8ppg, 2.1rpg) can play either position but must stay out of the coach’s doghouse. He is extremely fast and may fit the plans for a quicker transition type game. Freshman Donell Beverly will lend support up top. GRADE - B+

Depth - The Huskies are deep. Really deep. But is the depth quality? That can’t be answered off of last years performance. Edwards and Mandeldove along with Kelly back up down low and Wiggins, Price, Austrie and Johnson can alternate outside. If a staring lineup is solidified the bench will be there to help. GRADE - B

Outlook - Talent is everywhere here. But what the Huskies showed last year was potential. Not a good word when you are talking about the whole team. Only Dyson and Adrien could be relied upon. If UConn shoots 63% again from the foul line they could end up 8th to 10th. If Thabeet improves and others step up the Huskies should by around the 5th-6th place. GRADE - B

Categories: Commentary, Connecticut, Coach O