2008-2009 PREVIEW: 2) CONNECTICUT
November 8, 2008
It is pretty difficult to differentiate #1 from #2 and #2 from #1 this year as we prepare for the 2008-2009 Big East campaign. While most of the country has anointed Jim Calhoun’s Connecticut Huskies as the Big East’s top dog this year, I am going to tread just a tad bit cautiously on UConn at this point in time.
Things could change my view, especially between now and mid-December when it is expected they will get Stanley Robinson back in the line-up and for Ater Majok to officially join their program As of today, however, neither is on the team and, while odds are 90% they will, until it actually takes place we have learned nothing is guaranteed.
The other major point of caution with UConn for me is the knee of AJ Price. While the knee might be physically 100%, anything less than a year from surgery makes me a little nervous. The mental recovery is said to take up to a year and he has already been slowed by extra soreness in the preseason due to his ‘favoring’ of the knee.
While there are questions in my mind about the Huskies, there are still plenty of reasons why they are considered a top five team nationally by just about everyone, myself included, and we will look at those reasons and more in our preview.
Read Rest of Team Preview...Click 'Read More' Below!!!
Comings:
When looking at the Connecticut newcomers, the analysis begins with Kemba Walker, the McDonald’s All-American from New York City. Walker looks to be a perfect point guard in the up-tempo attack Jim Calhoun prefers and is an ideal insurance policy for the knee of AJ Price. Another perimeter newcomer is Scottie Haralson from Jackson (MS), a dead-eye perimeter shooter that will help UConn from the perimeter.
After Walker and Haralson, some questions begin. The first is with 6-foot-10 forward Ater Majok. The African import who attended school in Australia is expected to be cleared by the NCAA and eligible for a scholarship beginning second semester with the Huskies. The situation does not seem to be completely settled at the time of print, but it should happen. Also, JUCO transfer Charles Okwandu has been held out of some early action as Connecticut investigates his eligibility, most likely his amateur status. Okwandu missed much of last season at Harcum College with eligibility issues, but they do not seem to be related here. It is expected that he is in the line-up very soon.
Goings:
While there were no scholarship seniors on last year’s roster, Connecticut did have their share of personnel turnover as Curtis Kelly (Kansas State) and Doug Wiggins (UMass) transferred out of the program following the season. Also, the aforementioned Stanley Robinson had left the program, but now the feeling is he will be back at mid-semester. For much of the summer and into the beginning of the school year, this did not look like the case as he was likely to be off the team for a year. However, when Nate Miles, their highly regarded freshman wing was expelled from the University in September, Robinson’s odds of returning to the team skyrocketed.
The loss of Miles is pretty significant, one that UConn can certainly overcome, but his presence on the wing as an offensive threat was one that really had the potential to but UConn over the top this season.
Net Impact:
The net impact of the comings and goings at UConn is still being sorted out. Nate Miles is a wash as he was basically never here, but he definitely factored into the high expectations of the Huskies through the summer. The loss of Kelly, Wiggins and Robinson are not made up by the addition of Walker, Okwandu and Haralson. Getting Robinson back and adding Ater Majok in December as well will easily put the Huskies into the plus column with their comings and goings this season.
2008-2009 Backcourt Outlook:
Last year saw the AJ Price that Connecticut fans had been waiting three full years for. Price, a highly regarded recruit out of Amityville (NY) missed his first two seasons due to health and then legal problems and slogged through a rust-filled 2006-2007 season. However, the light turned on and the confidence flowed as Price earned All-American honors and was probably the second most valuable player in the conference behind Luke Harangody last season. Price averaged 14.5 points and 5.8 assists a game last season, but his scoring rose to 16.1 a game in conference play while still managing 5.9 assists a contest. Price excelled in the clutch, hitting big shots to win big games. He was the leader on the floor that Jim Calhoun was pleading for previously out of him and he held the team together through some ups and downs as the Huskies returned to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year hiatus.
Unfortunately for Price, the Huskies and UConn fans, Price’s NCAA Tournament experience would last just nine minutes as he went down with a torn ACL in an opening round loss to San Diego. Price vigorously rehabbed his knee and was cleared for basketball activities after just six months. Now, just eight months after the injury, Price is seeing game action. A remarkable recovery, but one has to worry if it has all happened too quickly. This is a tough injury to return from quickly, so we will watch Price carefully to make sure he is 100%.
One thing that could save a lot of wear and tear on Price is the presence of freshman Kemba Walker. The confident and tough NYC point guard brings the speed to the UConn attack and has the handling ability to run the point, even when paired with Price in the backcourt. Walker has played to rave reviews since arriving at UConn and his play for the Team USA U-18 squad this summer cemented his place among the top frosh in the country. Still, just a freshman, but Walker plays as if he is experienced well beyond his years. Finding the right niche between he and Price might be a challenge, as Price excelled with the ball in his hands last year, now he could be moved off the ball for significant portions this year. Good for his knee, but we will see if it has an impact on his game.
In what could be a three-guard line-up, Jerome Dyson returns for his junior season. Dyson was a big bright spot in the dismal 2006-2007 season for the Huskies as he averaged a team-high 14 points a game, a number that was much higher in conference play. Dyson is a strong and tough guard who could be one of the best perimeter defenders in the Big East. However, after a 30-day suspension in the heart of the Big East conference schedule last season for a second positive drug test, Dyson’s season never got back on track. Dyson averaged just 10 points a game in conference play last year, but averaged just 8 points a game over the last 10 games, scoring in double figures just twice. Compare that to the previous season where he averaged 17.5 points a game, scoring double digits nine times, in the last 10 games. The word out of their first exhibition game of the season had Dyson still looking out of sync with his teammates on the floor. For Connecticut to be at their best, Dyson needs to be a top contributor on both ends of the court.
A player who seemed to come into his own last year was senior Craig Austrie. For the season he averaged 7.5 points a game, but in the last 17 games of the season, or starting at the time of the Dyson suspension, Austrie averaged almost 11 points a game and became their most reliable perimeter threat. Just prior to that stretch, Austrie had scored just two points in the previous four games. Now, with added depth, will Austrie be given the longer leash he had late last season that seemed to build his confidence?
Rounding out the backcourt is freshman Scottie Haralson from Jackson (MS). Haralson was recruited to be a perimeter scoring threat, an area Connecticut lagged behind much of the country last year. While he will find it tough to break into the rotation this season, Haralson will likely be Austrie’s future replacement in the line-up. Donnell Beverly also returns and adds more depth at the guard position. Word is he continues to improve, but gaining real playing time when the Big East rolls around will be a challenge with the talent ahead of him on the roster.
2008-2009 Frontcourt Outlook:
As usual, the Connecticut frontcourt is imposing and intimidating. With the potential of three players 7-foot or taller, bruising power forward Jeff Adrien and possibly three more forwards in the 6-foot-9 range, this is an NBA-sized team in the college ranks.
The center of attention is junior Hasheem Thabeet, a 7-foot-3 native on Tanzania who turned down millions in guaranteed money from the NBA draft to return for his junior season. Thabeet impressed onlookers this summer with an improving offensive game and more confidence to battle for his points. Last season Thabeet averaged 9.7 points and 7.6 rebounds in conference play. However, his impact on the Husky success in the Big East was very clear with his 94 blocks in 18 conference games, an average of 5.2 a game. His presence will alter everyone’s mentality about attacking the basket against UConn.
Next to Thabeet on the low block is the productive Jeff Adrien, the rock of the Husky team. Adrien was good for 15 points and 9 rebounds a night in the Big East and his physical and athletic talents in the paint in Big East battles ensures that UConn is unlikely to be out-toughed often. One area that Adrien could improve upon, as could Thabeet is their understanding of the game and situations. In conference play last year, the pair combined for just 23 assists and 82 turnovers in 18 games, improvement in attacking double teams and ball movement must be made here.
Backing up the post, Jonathan Mandeldove, a 7-foot junior and Charles Okwandu, a JUCO transfer with three years of eligibility, are on the depth chart. Mandeldove is not the most athletic big man, but he has size and can plug the hole in the middle if need be. The fast-paced UConn style is not the best fit for him to see a lot of time. Okwandu, assuming he has his eligibility questions in order, is a long and athletic big man that could make an impact backing up Thabeet and could be the heir apparent in the middle. Okwandu is still raw offensively, but a full year of UConn training could have him set for a big future. This season he should be the perfect caddy for Thabeet.
With the small forward position influx currently, junior Gavin Edwards has been finding some minutes at the position. A hard worker who gets the most out of his skills and ability, it is not a natural position for Edwards, but he looks like he could hold his own in the meantime. The hope is for Ater Majok and Stanley Robinson to assume the role when they enter the picture in December when Connecticut is not employing three guards. There is still the wait on Robinson to be the player that fulfills his immense potential. Last year in an up and down season, Robinson averaged 10 points and around 7 rebounds in Big East action. Homesickness and some school work had him ticketed for back home in Alabama last spring, but a change of heart has him staying locally, getting a job, taking some classes and working to get back onto the team. It appears there is no scholarship for him, but it is possible a stint in the ‘real world’ and attending school on his own dime might click the light switch to on and his talent will be consistently on display.
Majok is a 6-foot-10 forward with the inside/out skill set to be a face-up ‘four’ in the Big East. With the late start and limited basketball experience in the USA, Majok’s impact might be muted a bit this season, especially if Robinson’s comeback materializes.
2008-2009 Team Outlook:
Heading into the 2008-2009 season, Connecticut is loaded with talent, but there is also enough questions that still need to be answered that makes you take a step back and wait and see how things shake out. You have Price’s knee, Dyson’s psyche, Austrie’s confidence, eligibility of Okwandu and Majok and the status of Robinson, all hanging over the team right now. To be truthful, it is almost fully expected that each question is answered positively, but as of November 8th, they all surely exist.
A common theme is to wait for mid-December and everything will be fine and dandy. The expected return of Robinson and addition of Majok certainly sounds great, but adding players to the mix in mid-season is always a tricky proposition for a team that has been practicing together for two months and molding during a month of games. With limited practice time, finding the cohesion once the meat of the schedule has begun can be difficult.
On the positive side, Connecticut has loads of talent, size and athletic ability to overcome nearly any question or challenge. With Thabeet and Adrien in the frontcourt, exciting freshman Kemba Walker added to the mix and vets like AJ Price, Jerome Dyson and Craig Austrie, UConn will be near the top of the Big East and the national picture, if not AT the top, all year round. Come March, this could be a well oiled machine similar to some of Jim Calhoun’s past championship clubs and with a two-year drought of NCAA Tournament wins, the March Madness betting will look for the Huskies to snap that slump.
2008-2009 Big East Prediction: 14-4
It is pretty difficult to differentiate #1 from #2 and #2 from #1 this year as we prepare for the 2008-2009 Big East campaign. While most of the country has anointed Jim Calhoun’s Connecticut Huskies as the Big East’s top dog this year, I am going to tread just a tad bit cautiously on UConn at this point in time.
Things could change my view, especially between now and mid-December when it is expected they will get Stanley Robinson back in the line-up and for Ater Majok to officially join their program As of today, however, neither is on the team and, while odds are 90% they will, until it actually takes place we have learned nothing is guaranteed.
The other major point of caution with UConn for me is the knee of AJ Price. While the knee might be physically 100%, anything less than a year from surgery makes me a little nervous. The mental recovery is said to take up to a year and he has already been slowed by extra soreness in the preseason due to his ‘favoring’ of the knee.
While there are questions in my mind about the Huskies, there are still plenty of reasons why they are considered a top five team nationally by just about everyone, myself included, and we will look at those reasons and more in our preview.
Read Rest of Team Preview...Click 'Read More' Below!!!
Comings:
When looking at the Connecticut newcomers, the analysis begins with Kemba Walker, the McDonald’s All-American from New York City. Walker looks to be a perfect point guard in the up-tempo attack Jim Calhoun prefers and is an ideal insurance policy for the knee of AJ Price. Another perimeter newcomer is Scottie Haralson from Jackson (MS), a dead-eye perimeter shooter that will help UConn from the perimeter.
After Walker and Haralson, some questions begin. The first is with 6-foot-10 forward Ater Majok. The African import who attended school in Australia is expected to be cleared by the NCAA and eligible for a scholarship beginning second semester with the Huskies. The situation does not seem to be completely settled at the time of print, but it should happen. Also, JUCO transfer Charles Okwandu has been held out of some early action as Connecticut investigates his eligibility, most likely his amateur status. Okwandu missed much of last season at Harcum College with eligibility issues, but they do not seem to be related here. It is expected that he is in the line-up very soon.
Goings:
While there were no scholarship seniors on last year’s roster, Connecticut did have their share of personnel turnover as Curtis Kelly (Kansas State) and Doug Wiggins (UMass) transferred out of the program following the season. Also, the aforementioned Stanley Robinson had left the program, but now the feeling is he will be back at mid-semester. For much of the summer and into the beginning of the school year, this did not look like the case as he was likely to be off the team for a year. However, when Nate Miles, their highly regarded freshman wing was expelled from the University in September, Robinson’s odds of returning to the team skyrocketed.
The loss of Miles is pretty significant, one that UConn can certainly overcome, but his presence on the wing as an offensive threat was one that really had the potential to but UConn over the top this season.
Net Impact:
The net impact of the comings and goings at UConn is still being sorted out. Nate Miles is a wash as he was basically never here, but he definitely factored into the high expectations of the Huskies through the summer. The loss of Kelly, Wiggins and Robinson are not made up by the addition of Walker, Okwandu and Haralson. Getting Robinson back and adding Ater Majok in December as well will easily put the Huskies into the plus column with their comings and goings this season.
2008-2009 Backcourt Outlook:
Last year saw the AJ Price that Connecticut fans had been waiting three full years for. Price, a highly regarded recruit out of Amityville (NY) missed his first two seasons due to health and then legal problems and slogged through a rust-filled 2006-2007 season. However, the light turned on and the confidence flowed as Price earned All-American honors and was probably the second most valuable player in the conference behind Luke Harangody last season. Price averaged 14.5 points and 5.8 assists a game last season, but his scoring rose to 16.1 a game in conference play while still managing 5.9 assists a contest. Price excelled in the clutch, hitting big shots to win big games. He was the leader on the floor that Jim Calhoun was pleading for previously out of him and he held the team together through some ups and downs as the Huskies returned to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year hiatus.
Unfortunately for Price, the Huskies and UConn fans, Price’s NCAA Tournament experience would last just nine minutes as he went down with a torn ACL in an opening round loss to San Diego. Price vigorously rehabbed his knee and was cleared for basketball activities after just six months. Now, just eight months after the injury, Price is seeing game action. A remarkable recovery, but one has to worry if it has all happened too quickly. This is a tough injury to return from quickly, so we will watch Price carefully to make sure he is 100%.
One thing that could save a lot of wear and tear on Price is the presence of freshman Kemba Walker. The confident and tough NYC point guard brings the speed to the UConn attack and has the handling ability to run the point, even when paired with Price in the backcourt. Walker has played to rave reviews since arriving at UConn and his play for the Team USA U-18 squad this summer cemented his place among the top frosh in the country. Still, just a freshman, but Walker plays as if he is experienced well beyond his years. Finding the right niche between he and Price might be a challenge, as Price excelled with the ball in his hands last year, now he could be moved off the ball for significant portions this year. Good for his knee, but we will see if it has an impact on his game.
In what could be a three-guard line-up, Jerome Dyson returns for his junior season. Dyson was a big bright spot in the dismal 2006-2007 season for the Huskies as he averaged a team-high 14 points a game, a number that was much higher in conference play. Dyson is a strong and tough guard who could be one of the best perimeter defenders in the Big East. However, after a 30-day suspension in the heart of the Big East conference schedule last season for a second positive drug test, Dyson’s season never got back on track. Dyson averaged just 10 points a game in conference play last year, but averaged just 8 points a game over the last 10 games, scoring in double figures just twice. Compare that to the previous season where he averaged 17.5 points a game, scoring double digits nine times, in the last 10 games. The word out of their first exhibition game of the season had Dyson still looking out of sync with his teammates on the floor. For Connecticut to be at their best, Dyson needs to be a top contributor on both ends of the court.
A player who seemed to come into his own last year was senior Craig Austrie. For the season he averaged 7.5 points a game, but in the last 17 games of the season, or starting at the time of the Dyson suspension, Austrie averaged almost 11 points a game and became their most reliable perimeter threat. Just prior to that stretch, Austrie had scored just two points in the previous four games. Now, with added depth, will Austrie be given the longer leash he had late last season that seemed to build his confidence?
Rounding out the backcourt is freshman Scottie Haralson from Jackson (MS). Haralson was recruited to be a perimeter scoring threat, an area Connecticut lagged behind much of the country last year. While he will find it tough to break into the rotation this season, Haralson will likely be Austrie’s future replacement in the line-up. Donnell Beverly also returns and adds more depth at the guard position. Word is he continues to improve, but gaining real playing time when the Big East rolls around will be a challenge with the talent ahead of him on the roster.
2008-2009 Frontcourt Outlook:
As usual, the Connecticut frontcourt is imposing and intimidating. With the potential of three players 7-foot or taller, bruising power forward Jeff Adrien and possibly three more forwards in the 6-foot-9 range, this is an NBA-sized team in the college ranks.
The center of attention is junior Hasheem Thabeet, a 7-foot-3 native on Tanzania who turned down millions in guaranteed money from the NBA draft to return for his junior season. Thabeet impressed onlookers this summer with an improving offensive game and more confidence to battle for his points. Last season Thabeet averaged 9.7 points and 7.6 rebounds in conference play. However, his impact on the Husky success in the Big East was very clear with his 94 blocks in 18 conference games, an average of 5.2 a game. His presence will alter everyone’s mentality about attacking the basket against UConn.
Next to Thabeet on the low block is the productive Jeff Adrien, the rock of the Husky team. Adrien was good for 15 points and 9 rebounds a night in the Big East and his physical and athletic talents in the paint in Big East battles ensures that UConn is unlikely to be out-toughed often. One area that Adrien could improve upon, as could Thabeet is their understanding of the game and situations. In conference play last year, the pair combined for just 23 assists and 82 turnovers in 18 games, improvement in attacking double teams and ball movement must be made here.
Backing up the post, Jonathan Mandeldove, a 7-foot junior and Charles Okwandu, a JUCO transfer with three years of eligibility, are on the depth chart. Mandeldove is not the most athletic big man, but he has size and can plug the hole in the middle if need be. The fast-paced UConn style is not the best fit for him to see a lot of time. Okwandu, assuming he has his eligibility questions in order, is a long and athletic big man that could make an impact backing up Thabeet and could be the heir apparent in the middle. Okwandu is still raw offensively, but a full year of UConn training could have him set for a big future. This season he should be the perfect caddy for Thabeet.
With the small forward position influx currently, junior Gavin Edwards has been finding some minutes at the position. A hard worker who gets the most out of his skills and ability, it is not a natural position for Edwards, but he looks like he could hold his own in the meantime. The hope is for Ater Majok and Stanley Robinson to assume the role when they enter the picture in December when Connecticut is not employing three guards. There is still the wait on Robinson to be the player that fulfills his immense potential. Last year in an up and down season, Robinson averaged 10 points and around 7 rebounds in Big East action. Homesickness and some school work had him ticketed for back home in Alabama last spring, but a change of heart has him staying locally, getting a job, taking some classes and working to get back onto the team. It appears there is no scholarship for him, but it is possible a stint in the ‘real world’ and attending school on his own dime might click the light switch to on and his talent will be consistently on display.
Majok is a 6-foot-10 forward with the inside/out skill set to be a face-up ‘four’ in the Big East. With the late start and limited basketball experience in the USA, Majok’s impact might be muted a bit this season, especially if Robinson’s comeback materializes.
2008-2009 Team Outlook:
Heading into the 2008-2009 season, Connecticut is loaded with talent, but there is also enough questions that still need to be answered that makes you take a step back and wait and see how things shake out. You have Price’s knee, Dyson’s psyche, Austrie’s confidence, eligibility of Okwandu and Majok and the status of Robinson, all hanging over the team right now. To be truthful, it is almost fully expected that each question is answered positively, but as of November 8th, they all surely exist.
A common theme is to wait for mid-December and everything will be fine and dandy. The expected return of Robinson and addition of Majok certainly sounds great, but adding players to the mix in mid-season is always a tricky proposition for a team that has been practicing together for two months and molding during a month of games. With limited practice time, finding the cohesion once the meat of the schedule has begun can be difficult.
On the positive side, Connecticut has loads of talent, size and athletic ability to overcome nearly any question or challenge. With Thabeet and Adrien in the frontcourt, exciting freshman Kemba Walker added to the mix and vets like AJ Price, Jerome Dyson and Craig Austrie, UConn will be near the top of the Big East and the national picture, if not AT the top, all year round. Come March, this could be a well oiled machine similar to some of Jim Calhoun’s past championship clubs and with a two-year drought of NCAA Tournament wins, the March Madness betting will look for the Huskies to snap that slump.
2008-2009 Big East Prediction: 14-4
Labels: 2008-2009 preview
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