2010-11 Connecticut College Basketball Predictions

It is interesting times in Storrs, Connecticut as UConn is set to open its season this Wednesday in an exhibition game against AIC. With the outcome of a pending NCAA Investigation still to be determined, nobody is really sure what to expect out of this very young UConn team.

The captain and leader of this team is junior point guard Kemba Walker. Walker last year averaged 14.6 pts 4.3 reb and 5.1 ast a game. Early on he has been the most dominating player in practice and after competing against Team USA in the offseason he seems ready to have a breakout season.

After Walker, there is a lot of uncertainty around who is going to step up and play at a high level. Seniors Jerome Dyson, Stanley Robinson, and Gavin Edwards have all graduated. Highly touted recruit Atar Majok left the University at the end of August.

This team is young and has very little big game experience. Calhoun has made it a point of emphasis that this team is not going to be at their best in November and December, but that he wants them to peak heading March.

Frontcourt: The frontcourt looks to be anchored by Center Alex Oriakhi. Last year he averaged 5.5 pts and 6.6 reb a game. Oriakhi is going to be needed to perform in the paint, because of UConn’s lack of depth. He has the size at 6’9 250 lbs to develop into the type of player that Emeka Okafor and Jeff Adrien were for the dominant Huskies teams of the past.

Charles Okwandu is a senior center who stands over 7’0 tall. Okwandu has limited playing time, but should have an opportunity to see minutes this season.

The freshmen of this class could have a make or break impact on UConn’s performance this year. So far everybody is raving about the hometown kid Tyler Olander, who played at E.O Smith High School just off-campus. Olander 6’10 has the ability to shoot the ball on the perimeter, and he also isn’t scared to grab rebounds in the paint.

Another freshman to keep your eye on is Roscoe Smith. He has played at the four, but primarily should see minutes on the wing. The 6’8 swingman from Baltimore is very athletic and is probably UConn’s best recruit of the 2010 class.

Backcourt: Joining preseason first team selection Kemba Walker will be senior captain Donnell Beverly. Beverly has been a serviceable player for the Huskies and now finally at full-strength he looks to contribute off the bench.

Jammal Coombs-McDaniel is a guard that is ready to breakout. He has a great shooting-stroke but could never find a rhythm last season.

The last two players are freshman Shabazz Nappier and Jeremy Lamb. Both these players can shoot it from three, something that is unconventional for a Jim Calhoun team. This team is going to play a different style of basketball and it will have to adjust as the season goes along.

Prediction: Many analysts and pundits believe that the Huskies are going to struggle this season. Look at Jim Calhoun’s record: he hasn’t missed back to back NCAA Tournaments in over twenty years. He doesn’t have bad consecutive seasons. This team is embracing the underdog role and will look to knock off the Top teams in the Big East.

I see UConn finishing in 5th or 6th in the Big East winning around 22 or 23 games, and making it back to the Big Dance!

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