Category: UConn

UConn Must Execute on Defense to Beat Xavier

With UConn primed to play its biggest game of the season tomorrow home in Storrs against Xavier and your esteemed writer in attendance (a Christmas present), it is a good time to look at the No. 19 Huskies (16-5, 5-5 in the Big East) and figure out what they needs to do well to shut down the No. 12 Musketeers (16-4, 8-1), which is first in the conference and has an elite offense. Xavier has the best starting five offensively in the conference and can score efficiently from all areas of the floor, as UConn learned in its devastating 83-73 loss on New Year’s Eve.

The Huskies looked great on both ends of the floor in its 86-56 win against Butler on Saturday, but it’s hard to say the team is rounding a corner in any way when the Bulldogs are already a bad team that was missing its best player. UConn must beat Xavier and go over .500 again to show it can be an upper echelon team in the Big East and gain momentum heading into what should be two comfortable wins at DePaul and Georgetown. It should be favored to win at Gampel, but there are multiple areas the Huskies must play well in to emerge victorious, starting with playing quality defense.

Below, I talk about what UConn needs to do well defensively to win Wednesday. I am not sure if the team has the skills and mental fortitude to slow down Xavier’s offense and win what should be a close game, but it’s time for the team to put up or shut up. I look forward to being there with nervous anticipation, and will provide you dear readers with my observation’s on the team’s performance in many areas and the crowd atmosphere within the next few days. Let’s go!

The Defense Needs to be Smart and Flexible  

Starting in mid-December against Georgetown, UConn’s previously elite D began to slip, and the Xavier loss initiated lousy defensive performances in each of its losses over the next three weeks, with the team’s win against Creighton the lone receipt. After the Huskies took a 50-43 lead three minutes into the second half in Cincinnati, Xavier’s offense started dominating their defenders and never let up. UConn could not stay in front of Xavier’s guards, and they attacked the basket constantly, either scoring around the rim or finding bigs Zach Freemantle, Jack Nunge and Jerome Hunter for easy baskets. Most frustratingly, the Huskies were unable to play smart defense and avoid unnecessary contact, resulting in 23 free throws on 28 attempts. Ultimately, the Musketeers shot over 60% inside the arc and scored 1.12 points per possession (PPP). With all the talent Xavier has, they are fully capable of repeating this success Wednesday.

The inconsistent defense and inability to defend players without fouling continued in the next game at Providence, with the Friars making 29! free throws and winning by 12 despite making five fewer field goals tan UConn. After a strong performance against Creighton, the defense again wilted throughout the next two games against Marquette and St. John’s, as the team’s scored at least 1.10 PPP. After a great first half defensively against Seton Hall, the Huskies allowed the Pirates to score 41 points and shoot over 60% in the final 20 minutes to come back from 17 down and hand UConn a devastating last-second loss.

In these four losses, the team continued to struggle mightily with defending the rim. The guards were beat off the dribble constantly and Husky bigs could not defend the rim effectively, leading to layups or free throw opportunities. The Husky defenders did a particularly poor job of staying in front of their man and avoiding biting on pump fakes, leading to either touch fouls as players reached for the ball as a player got past them or guys jumping in the air and fouling opponents after they faked a shot (Andre Jackson and Alex Karaban seemed like were the biggest offenders in these categories). UConn has shot fewer free throws than their opponents in all five losses and recorded more turnovers in four. UConn players have seemed to frequently miscommunicate with each other and leave players wide open after going to defend another opponent, leading to easy baskets. Of course, all these issues seemed to crop up down the stretch in these losses, leaving the Huskies looking rattled. Combine all these factors with not boxing out consistently on rebound opportunities and an obvious lack of hustle at times, and you have some of the poorest defending since Dan Hurley’s first year in Storrs.

While UConn looked much more disciplined on defense against Butler, they were still playing a team that lacks guards who can attack off the bounce and which was missing star big man Manny Bates. In Xavier, it is matching up against a squad that shoots 39.7% from three and is also excellent in the paint. First, Husky players just need to fight harder to get over screens and stay in front of their man when defending one-on-one. It sounds cliché, but players have been lazy and fundamentally unsound on defense at times, especially when also struggling offensively. Along the same lines, defenders need to avoid committing costly ticky-tack  touch fouls or leaving their feet on defense after fakes. If the Huskies can control their hands and stay on the floor when defending, then they should avoid the foul trouble which has plagued them and force Xavier to win by taking tough shots. In addition, players need to recognize they can’t overextend too much on the Musketeers out on the perimeter, as it could result in easy drives to the basket and defenders being unable to recover. As great of a 3-point shooting team as Xavier is, UConn needs to be more concerned with protecting the paint and avoiding fouls. It has defended the perimeter extremely well throughout the season, and I think it will do a solid job again Wednesday. Finally, the Huskies and especially their bigs need to box out more effectively, especially off perimeter shots and Hurley needs to reiterate this to his guys. I would hope the ending against Seton Hall gets that message across to the team.

At the same time, UConn and Hurley need to make adjustments. Freemantle absolutely dominated Karaban last game using his size and athleticism, and could absolutely do so again if he is not double-timed. In some situations, Hurley needs to be willing to try double-teams on other hot players as well. In addition, he should be willing to let players switch defensively in certain situations. UConn should play zone as well if Xavier is scoring easily. A 2-3 zone could prevent guards from being able to easily score in the paint or get the ball into the bigs. Such a zone could also allow the Huskies to use both Sanogo and Clinigan for small stretches, providing both rim protection and a big advantage on the boards. With Samson Johnson finally back from injury, he can hopefully provide the team much needed rim protection. I am sure UConn has a detailed defensive game plan ready they will try to follow. What they need to do is be able to adjust when things aren’t going the team’s way. The Huskies defense failed to do that at Xavier and all their losses.

During Hurley’s tenure at UConn, the program has hung its hat on being relentless on defense and shutting down the paint. The team was doing that earlier in the season, and it still has great defensive numbers overall when you look at analytics, including being ranked 13th nationally on KenPom. It is time for the Huskies to regain their identity and play strong defense for 40 minutes. While the offense must meet certain goals as well, UConn will ultimately win or lose with their defense. Time to buckle up.

Game Observations on OSU Win: Hawkins Breaks Out, Andre Continues to Break Out, and an Underperformance on the Boards

It was not the prettiest performance, but UConn got its first standout home win of the season Thursday against Oklahoma State, defeating the Cowboys 74-64. It improved to 9-0, with all the wins by double digits, and earned their fourth win of the season against a team ranked in the top 50 of KenPom. The win ultimately propelled the Huskies to a No. 5 ranking in the AP Poll on Monday in advance of a huge contest at Florida tonight.

UConn dominated the final seven minutes of the first half to go into the break with a 17-point lead. After OSU fought back from a deficit to take a 28-25 lead with 7:25 remaining, the Huskies overpowered it on both ends, going on a quick 15-0 run and ultimately outscoring the Cowboys 23-3 to enter halftime with a 48-31 lead. The run was propelled by outstanding perimeter shooting from Jordan Hawkins and UConn powering their way to the free throw line and earning 19 shots. It also earned high-quality scoring opportunities due to aggressive defense and poor ball-handling by Oklahoma State, which committed 10 turnovers. Hawkins had 18 first-half points and Adama Sanogo 13.

After a solid first five minutes, the Huskies played poorly on offense and inconsistently on defense for the remainder of the game. The Cowboys were more disciplined defensively and kept them off the offensive boards. Hawkins got fewer good looks and Sanogo made poor decisions on offense. No one else really stepped up, with Newton and Karaban being particularly inefficient for how many minutes they played. On defense, OSU was able to attack the basket much more successfully, with UConn being caught out of position on drives and looking tired. It also was able to consistently beat the Huskies for offensive rebounds and earn second-chance opportunities. Still, they did just enough to keep the Cowboys from going on an extended run. Maintaining a double-digit lead throughout the second half.

As discussed more below, the trio of Hawkins, Sanogo and Andre Jackson carried UConn to the win. Hawkins had his best game of the season with 26 points, shooting 5-9 on 3-pointers. Sanogo finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals while playing excellent defense. Jackson continues to improve each game since coming back from injury. He was again making hustle plays on both ends of the court and finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. Joey Calcaterra hit two 3-pointers on his way to 9 points. The Huskies managed to win handedly despite shooting just 37.5%, but did make 24 free throws and commit just 7 turnovers. Kaleb Boone and Avery Anderson scored 15 and 14 for Oklahoma State, respectively. OSU outrebounded UConn 39-35, but committed 17 turnovers.

Below, I analyze more in depth the importance of Hawkins, Sanogo and Jackson, the team’s strong defensive performance in the first half, and the significance of UConn’s ability to still control the game despite playing mediocre for long stretches.

Jordan Hawkins and Adama Sanogo Demonstrate Why They Can be Such a Dangerous Inside-Outside Offensive Combination

Every fan knows the potential that Hawkins has, and that he has been praised by both coaches and reporters for being one of the most natural shooters in the program’s history. Still, the sophomore shooting guard has never been consistent enough to meet those expectations, partly due to injury issues. On Thursday night however, Hawkins was on fire and had probably the best game of his UConn career. Hawkins scored a career-high 26 points, shooting 5-9 from three and 6-13 overall. He did a great job of coming off screens for quality shots and moving without the ball, and hit shots with hands in his face as well. Hawkins hot streak in the first half was essential to the Huskies getting enough breathing room in the first half that they could withstand an inconsistent final 15 minutes. While Hawkins was quieter in the second half, he still had a few key daggers. He also did an outstanding job of getting to the line, hitting a career-high 9 free throws on 12 attempts. Throw in another strong night on defense for Hawkins, and he did an outstanding job of carrying UConn in a game that could have been a trap otherwise.

Meanwhile, Sanogo had a big bounce-back game from his season-worst performance against Iowa State. He scored 20 points on 7-14 shooting, going 6-8 at the charity stripe. It was Sanogo’s fifth game of 20 or more points. In the first half, he showed he could bully his way to the basket, as well as some nifty footwork and the ability to step out and hit jumpers. Sanogo did a strong job of getting to the line throughout the game, where he made 6-8. He also had 3 offensive boards. Sanogo’s defense was also mostly phenomenal, as he altered a ton of shots and got “7-1” Mousa Cisse into foul trouble, and did a strong job of blocking out Cowboy players. Sanogo also had 2 steals. Sanogo still has plenty of work to do on offense in practice, as he reverted to looking for his shot and not sharing the ball in the second half, resulting in some ugly shots and disgruntled teammates. Ultimately though, he was still fabulous for most of the game.

Andre Jackson, Human Highlight Machine

As he has returned from injury, Jackson has gotten better from game to game, at least from my perspective. While the junior did not have a double-double like the previous game against Iowa State, Jackson had his most efficient offensive game of the season with 11 points on 4-7 shooting and 2 free throws, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists with no turnovers. Jackson attacked the basket and finished better than in previous games, and scored on a beautiful alley-oop dunk. More importantly, he took over the unofficial point guard role with Newton and Hassan Diarra both ineffective. There, Jackson did an excellent job of handling the ball throughout against a strong defense and pushed the tempo, especially in the first half. He delivered some pinpoint passes inside, especially to Sanogo, and was able to find Hawkins for open perimeter shots. Jackson was also again strong on the offensive boards. Just like last game, Jackson was everywhere on offense, getting loose balls, grabbing tough rebounds, and constantly moving the ball.

Jackson was no less dynamic on defense. In addition to his three steals, Jackson forced multiple travels or offensive fouls and loose balls, and regularly altered shots around the rim. His athleticism allowed him to hound ball-handlers as well as to beat OSU players to rebounds, as he had 7 defensive boards. Jackson has become more disciplined on defense since returning, as he committed just three fouls in 30 minutes despite the highly physical play. It does not matter how many points Jackson puts up on a given night. He can make an impact in so many ways that he is the straw that stirs the drink for UConn.   

UConn Needs to Step Up its Rebounding

One of Oklahoma’s State’s biggest strengths is its work on the boards, and they outclassed the Huskies there, especially in the second half when Cisse reentered the game. The Cowboys won the rebounding battle 39-35 overall, and outrebounded UConn on the defensive end 26-22. It did not do a good enough job of boxing out or anticipating rebounds, especially defensive ends. While a lot of praise goes to OSU’S effort, the Huskies appeared tired as the game went on (it was their fourth game in seven days) and a lack of focus in the second half after the team had established a comfortable lead.     

UConn’s performance on the boards, and the struggles of its bigs besides Sanogo, can also be somewhat attributed to the absence of Samson Johnson and the inexperience of Karaban and Donavon Clinigan. Karaban has been run ragged due to Samson’s injury and Hurley’s confidence in him. He played 38 minutes against Iowa State and over 25 minutes against both Alabama and Oregon. Karaban has justified all the minutes with his quality play across the board, but it finally caught up to him against Oklahoma State, as he scored just six points and missed the trio of 3-pointers he took. Karaban fought valiantly against Boone defensively and on the boards, grabbing six rebounds, but he lacked the strength and athleticism in check. Clinigan was of no help, failing to score in seven minutes and picking up two fouls that forced him to sit the remainder of the game. Considering how great he has been recently, it is easy to wave off his performance as a mulligan. Having Johnson against Oklahoma State and similarly constructed teams will be huge, as it will give UConn another big who is a strong rebounder and an already proven rim protector, which the team does not really have right now. And obviously, it will take a load of Karaban and Sanago. Let’s hope he is back for Big East play as has been reported.

UConn’s Transfer Guards Need to be More Consistent Offensively

While Joey Calcaterra continues to be effective against tough competition (he had nine points and two 3-pointers against OSU) and turning into a folk hero among the fans, Naheim Alleyne, Newton and Diarra have been all over the place recently. Alleyne played himself out of a starting spot the last four games, scoring a combined six points while shooting 0-9 from deep (he was scoreless against the Cowboys in 10 minutes, missing both his shots). Alleyne is now hooting just 23% from three, and he has not made up for it enough by getting quality jumpers or reaching the free throw line, where Alleyne is outstanding. His defense has been his saving grace while his shooting is off, but Alleyne played poorly on defense against OSU when he was in, failing to switch correctly or cut off drives several times. Hurley will give Alleyne plenty of opportunity to prove himself, and he has too much history as a quality shooter to not step up in big moments at some point if he stays healthy. Right now, however, UConn fans have plenty of justified reasons for being frustrated with Alleyne.

Newton has been all over the place with his numbers throughout the season, but the last two games have been especially frustrating the last three games. He did little offensively in the first half against both Alabama and Iowa State and committed eight turnovers in the second game. Against Oklahoma State, Newton scored just two points on 1-5 shooting, did not get to the free throw line, and had just one assist. Jackson appeared to take over many of the major point-guard opportunities as the game went on, but there is still no excuse for Newton to be that little involved on the offensive end, and be somewhat passive early in general. Yes, the Huskies have more talent than it appeared coming into the season, but Newton will be one of the most important players when all is said and done.

While Diarra has been solid as a backup point guard on defense, his offense has been mostly down starting with the Phil Knight Invitational. He went scoreless in eight minutes against Oklahoma State, missing three shots and getting no assists, and scored just a combined nine points at the Invitational while going 2-10. Diarra’s 3-point shot has been off all season, and his ball-handling continues to be inconsistent. Hopefully, Diarra can continue to bring it on defense and get more comfortable offensively once UConn enters Big East play.   

UConn Dominant Across the Board in Winning The PK85 Invitational

Starting with UConn’s coming-out party as a national power in the early 90’s up through Kevin Ollie’s 2014 championship squad, the Huskies had plenty of signature regular season performances over the span of just a few days, with these weeks frequently being a signal of tournament success down the line. These unforgettable weeks dried up in the last few years of Ollie’s tenure, and Dan Hurley had not quite brought them back even as the program improved the last three seasons. Until now.

UConn‘s performance at the Phil Knight Invitational over Thanksgiving weekend was remarkable. The Huskies curb—stomped their way through the competition in Portland to win the championship. They blew out Oregon on Thanksgiving and then wearing down and pulling away from Alabama and then Iowa State in the tourney title game. Ultimately, UConn won the games by an average of 19 points, improving to 8-0 and jumping all the way to No. 8 in the AP Top 25.

As I discuss more below, the games were especially satisfying to watch because of the unique ways UConn won them. Against Oregon, it won 83-59, setting a program record for 3-pointers made in a game with 17 and completely shutting down the Ducks backcourt. It then beat a highly talented Alabama team with more excellent defense and star performances by Adama Sanago and Jordan Hawkins. Finally, the Huskies overcame Iowa State’s relentless defense and foul trouble, relying on their dominance of the boards and great performances on both ends by freshman Donavon Clinigan and Andre Jackson to win 71-53. The team’s depth and cohesiveness were reflected in Clinigan being awarded the tournament MVP.

UConn has won all its games by at least 15 points, and scored over 70 in each while holding opponents under 60 five times. It has shot up to No. 6 in the KenPom standings, and is the only program in the country that is ranked in the top 10 in both the site’s offensive and defensive algorithms. It is also the highest UConn has been ranked in the poll since it was ranked eighth in January of 2012. The team’s start makes a compelling case that it is the most talented team UConn has had since then, and that the Huskies are very capable of winning the Big East and going on a significant run during March Madness. I know that things can change quickly, especially due to injury, but I am sky high on the Huskies right now.      

Here are a few observations about UConn’s play at the Phil Knight Invitational.

Huskies Display Their Ability to Pull Away Against Quality Opponents

Last season, UConn had an ugly habit of getting ahead against good teams, and then allowing them to rally back before losing by a few baskets. It hurt their seeding in the NCAA Tournament and then defined its loss to New Mexico State in the first round. This group is very different however, and eventually put its boot on the neck of Alabama and Iowa State and did not take it off.

First, the Huskies poor shooting early in the second half allowed the Crimson Tide to rally from 14 points down and tie the game multiple times. With less than nine minutes remaining, UConn completely flipped the script when Sanago and Hawkins returned from foul trouble and Newton got hot. Sanago and Newton went on a 16-1 run all their own. Sanago started dominating in the paint and hit a three, while Newton started bullying his way to the line and hit a three, ultimately giving the Huskies a 68-53 lead with less than six minutes remaining. Sanago finished with 25 points, and Newton had 9 with eight assists and four steals. Three other players (Hawkins, Alex Karaban, and Joey Calcaterra) were in double figures.

While UConn led the entire time against ISU, the Cyclones were able to keep it close with their defense, as the Huskies struggled to make shots and committed a lot of sloppy turnovers. ISU got it to within single digits in the open minutes of the second half, and trailed 53-48 with 9:47 remaining and Hawkins on the bench with four fouls (He would never return). Alex Karaban immediately kickstarted a 7-0 run with a three, and the Huskies ability to continue to dominant the boards, attack the basket and get easy looks and free throws for Newton and Clinigan, and most importantly play outstanding defense let them immediately regain control of the game and cruise to the victory. Clinigan had 15 points and 10 rebounds on 5-6 shooting, and Andre Jackson was everywhere on defense and contributed 10 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

The mental toughness and poise UConn so far in not only these two games and throughout the season has been remarkable to see. Even when it has been cold on offense or struggling with foul trouble or turnovers, the players and Dan Hurley have been calm and communicated well with one another, eventually finding a solution to these problems. This is despite incorporating so many new players, who have immediately brought into UConn’s culture and established chemistry with the returnees. These qualities that the team has showed it should be able to keep its cool against any team, no matter the stage.

Offense Shows Remarkable Depth Throughout the Entire Invitational   

Throughout the preseason, Hurley and his staff along with the players were always talking about how UConn would have great depth and more versatility on both ends due to their experienced transfers and the skills of Karaban and Clinigan. Through the first five games, that depth was on display and much needed because of the absence of multiple starters at different times. Still, fans still needed to see that many players could make an impact against quality teams, and the Phil Knight Invitational was a perfect stage to have their questions answered. Suffice to say, the Huskies answered any and all doubters.   

Tristen Newton was the lynchpin of the offense through all three games. Newton averaged 15 points, 5.7 assists and 4 rebounds while also snatching six steals. He shot 52% overall, 8-12 from three and     15-17 at the free throw line. Newton is becoming more comfortable as the team’s point guard, and displayed poise, a strong handle, and the ability to find open teammates for quality scoring opportunities, especially against Oregon and Alabama. While Newton was still inconsistent at making shots inside the arc, his 3-point shot was much cleaner in the tourney and he demonstrated the ability to both shoot from the top of the key and off screens. And of course, Newton continued to be a machine at getting to and converting at the free throw line, especially during scoring runs. Newton has clearly become more comfortable from game to game, and I think he has already established himself as a strong replacement for R.J. Cole.

Adama Sanago did not quite play at an All-American level in the Invitational, but he was still solid offensively against Oregon and dominant at times versus Alabama. Sanago plaid second fiddle to Newton in the quarterfinals bit still had a very efficient day, scoring 12 points on 5-7 shooting with 6 rebounds (2 offensive). In the semifinals, he was a huge handful in the paint on his way to 25 points on 8-12 shooting, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. Sanogo did an outstanding job in that game of both bullying defenders and scoring on jumpers and shot fakes, as well as passing out of the post. His offensive performance against Ohio State was ugly and marred by foul trouble (just 4 points on 1-5 shooting in 22 minutes), but Sanago at least contributed some solid defense to make up for it. Considering how hard-working and intelligent Sanago is, I have no doubt that he will get in the gym and work on what he needs to do to be more efficient against Oklahoma State Thursday and going forward.

The rest of the team made their unique contributions on offense throughout the three games. Hawkins brough some much needed sharpshooting in the first two games, scoring a combined 34 points and shooting 42% overall and 8-20 from three. He showed the ability to knock down contested 3-pointers and help the Huskies go on key runs, while also driving to the hoop and making layups or free throws when needed. Alex Karaban continued to be a Swiss-Army knife for UConn, scoring when needed (especially on the perimeter), getting big offensive rebounds, and doing an outstanding job of moving the ball to teammates for scoring opportunities. Clinigan, who we will talk about more later, was a nightmare for the three opponents as a substitute for Sanogo. His height and bulk made it almost impossible for the defenders to contain Clinigan on alley-oops or putbacks, at least without fouling. The Bristol freshman also averaged 3 offensive rebounds in the tournament. Joey Calcaterra continued to be deadly on the perimeter, shooting 6-10 from three and averaging almost 10 points, and recorded four assists against Oregon. While Jackson’s scoring did not show up until the championship game, the junior still had five assists both in that game and against the Ducks, and grabbed three offensive rebounds against Alabama and ISU. Finally, Hassan Diarra came up with seven huge points in just 15 minutes, in addition to his usual strong defense.

UConn’s offensive depth is reflected in all the analytics they have recorded this season. It has assisted 65.9% of field goals, which ranks 10th in the nation. The team is 13th in offensive rebounding percentage (38.1), 19th in effective field goal percentage (56.8), 23rd in 2-point percentage (57.7), and 59th in 3-point percentage (37.1). The Huskies bench outscored its starters against Iowa State, and came close to doing so in the other two games. With the improved shooting and ball movement and handling of this year’s squad, UConn can have good offensive nights against any opponent, something which certainly not the case last season.

Defense and Rebounding Continues to be Outstanding Against Big Time Programs      

Over the last few seasons, UConn has been defined by its consistently strong defense and proficiency on the boards. So far this season that has not changed, especially with the added depth the team has. In the Phil Knight Invitational, the Huskies held Oregon, Alabama, and Iowa State under 45% shooting and 31.8% from three overall. Alabama and Oregon committed 21 and 17 turnovers respective, resly, and all three opponents had more turnovers than assists. Finally, UConn outrebounded Oregon and came close to doing so against an excellent rebounding Crimson Tide Squad. It then whipped Iowa State on the boards, outrebounding the Cyclones 46-19!, leading to a ton of second-chance points and fastbreak opportunities.

While the Huskies team defense was ultimately what stood out, there were a few individual players who had great performances. Newton did an excellent job of pressuring ball handlers up front and forcing difficult passes, and had a combined seven assists against Oregon and Alabama. The 6-5 Newton’s defensive rebounding was also excellent as always. Hawkins was a little too aggressive at times, resulting in foul trouble, but ultimately continued to demonstrate his improvement as an on-ball defender. The duo of Sanago and Clinigan shut down the frontcourt frequently. Sanago was great on the defensive boards and consistently altered shots. Clinigan completely blocked shooters from getting to the rim, and grabbed a combined 14 defensive rebounds in the three games and had four blocks against Oregon. Ultimately however, UConn’s great defensive performance was captured through the incomparable work of Jackson.

Jackson established himself as arguably the best defender in the Big East last season, and despite playing just four games so far, he may be the favorite for that crown. The junior’s on-ball defense was spectacular in the tournament against both guards and forwards. Jackson constantly forced difficult passes and altered shots, and helped set up steals and blocks for both himself and teammates. He also did an outstanding job of rebounding on defense and recorded several contested rebound opportunities. Jackson had two steals against Oregon and Iowa State, blocks against Alabama and ISU, and averaged six offensive boards per game, including 10 against the Cyclones. Jackson’s athleticism and hustle was constantly on display in the three games as he leapt off the TV screen, and impressed both the announcers and opposing coaches. The Invitational was another reminder of why Jackson can be one of UConn’s most valuable players even when he is not scoring much.

Dan Hurley Continuing to Come into His Own as a Head Coach

After UConn’s first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament last season, there was a lot of grumbling about Hurley’s ability to take UConn to the next level. That grumbling kicked into overdrive after the Huskies had four players transfer in the offseason. Hurley blocked out these criticisms and immediately set about looking for quality transfers who could address the program’s shortcomings last season (inconsistent outside shooting, ball-handling, quality defenders on the perimeter and small forward with size), and be a good fit alongside the remaining roster as well as Karaban and Clinigan. Hurley seems to have hit the jackpot with his portal additions, and made adjustments to UConn’s playing style which have turned them into a more well-rounded squad. Factor in all of this as well as Hurley’s calmer demeanor on the sidelines, and you have a squad that is looking like one of the best squads in America after this past weekend.

At the PKI85, Hurley did a great job of making substitutions which had an immediate impact on both ends, especially offense. This was especially apparent in the finale against Iowa State when Hurley took out Hawkins with nearly 16 minutes remaining when he got two fouls (the second a technical for arguing the first call), and did not put him back in for the rest of the game. This sent a message to Hawkins about he needed to better control his emotions and be more disciplined on defense. Hurley also recognized that Sanago was struggling and rode Clinigan as a result, being rewarded with a dominant performance that helped the Huskies pull away. Other examples of smart decisions in the final included Hurley recognizing that Diarra matched up well against the Cyclones and using him heavily in the first half with Newton in foul trouble, giving Jackson significantly more minutes, and maintaining his cool when the referees were making very questionable foul calls. The ability to effectively substitute, maintain composure and allocate minutes was consistently on display against both Oregon and Alabama as well. Throughout the tournament, Hurley also switched up defenses when needed, with examples being occasionally using zone and relying on the high hedge regularly against the Crimson Tide.

The maturity and adaptability Hurley has demonstrated from the beginning of his UConn tenure until now has been remarkable. He will make poor decisions and deal with significant challenges as UConn plays more close games and must face quality Big East opponents at least two times, but this is a mature team that appears to be more prepared for those challenges than last season. If Hurley can keep these  Huskies as one of the best teams in America, Storrs will continue to be a destination for great recruits and transfers as long as he is there.  

Observations on Last Week’s Win: A Dominant Sanogo, Strong Defense and Sensational Freshmen

It was a fun but tense first week of the season for UConn. The transfer-heavy Huskies, who were already missing Andre Jackson for the first few games due to a finger injury, had to endure Jordan Hawkins suffering a concussion early in its opener against Stonehill (Hawkins is progressing well and should make his return against UNC-Wilmington Friday). Despite the big loss and 3-point shooting struggles, UConn defeated Stonehill handedly 85-54, as freshman Alex Karaban and Donavon Clinigan immediately impressed.

On Tuesday, the team learned that Samson Johnson suffered a foot injury in the win and would be out indefinitely, leaving the Huskies down three starters for Friday’s matchup against Boston University. The players remained resultant however, with Adama Sanogo putting them on his back. After a strong first game, Sanogo was a monster against the Terriers, scoring 27 points on 12-15 shooting and grabbing 15 rebounds while also playing excellent defense. The offense improved and shot 10-21 from deep, and the Huskies again mostly played disciplined defense to win 86-57.

 Overall, UConn navigated the challenges of injury and a roster that lacked experience playing together in games with aplomb. Sanogo showed why he is a star, and each transfer and freshman who played demonstrated that they could bring unique skills to the table that make the team tougher to contain on both ends. The Huskies were sloppy on offense and lost focus on defense occasionally, but were largely in control throughout both games.

Below, I have a few observations on the positives and negatives I saw in the games as well as on the injury issues UConn’s experiencing:

  1. Adama Sanogo flashes new skills and shows why he was named pre-season Big East Player of the Year

After a breakout sophomore campaign, fans were excited to see what new skills Sanago showed and if he could step up when new players were struggling. Well, mission accomplished. Sanago averaged 23 points and 10.5 rebounds in the two wins while shooting 77%, and had a block and steal in each game. These numbers earned Sanago the Big East Player of the Week award. The junior center took advantage of the opponent’s small frontcourts to bully his way into the paint and get easy shots and rebounds. Sanago did an excellent job of finishing around the basket and displayed his remarkable footwork. Most importantly, he stepped out and hit jumpers outside of the paint in both wins, including two threes against BU. Sanogo’s form on these shots was impressive and bodes well for his ability to expand his range this season. Finally, Sanogo did a strong job of passing the ball out of the post and finding teammates, making impressive passes in both games.   

Sanogo also played strong defense against the overmatched Skyhawks and Terriers. His footwork was strong and he consistently altered shots. Sanogo was especially strong on the defensive boards and had 11 defensive rebounds against BU. If Sanogo can avoid foul trouble and stay healthy, he can be the lynchpin of an imposing defensive frontcourt.  

  • Transfers Show Strengths and Add Depth

It was a lot of fun to see the quartet of Tristen Newton, Naheim Alleyne, Hasson Diarra and Joey Calcaterra finally on the big stage for the Huskies, as I had no knowledge of them before they came to Storrs.

Diarra, a junior combo guard formerly of Texas A&M, probably had the best week of the quartet. He ran the point at times and averaged 8.5 points, 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. He was especially good against Stonehill, scoring 11 to go along with 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. The speedy Diarra did an excellent job of attacking the basket in both games and made some excellent passes for assists. He was particularly effective in the fastbreak. Diarra, who was known as a strong defender coming in, used his strength to body up players and force challenging shots. His active hands forced deflections and turnovers and eventually led to fastbreak points.

Alleyne, a guard whom played at Virginia Tech for three seasons, easily slipped into the role of a strong perimeter shooter and defender. Alleyne averaged 9.5 shots on 40% shooting. He had 11 points and drained three threes against BU, and was able to score on floaters and layups against Stonehill when his 3-pointers were not falling. Alleyne played lockdown defense in both games, and his constant pressure led to 4 steals against Stonehill. The maturity and smoothness that Alleyne was said to play with was consistently on display in both wins.

Newton, a senior combo guard, was up-and-down in his opening games at UConn. The former ECU star averaged 10 points but surprisingly struggled with his shots, making just 27% of them. However, he did go 10-14 at the free throw line. While Newton certainly did not have trouble getting open shots and attacking the basket, he just was not able to finish at times or took ill-advised shots. Newton did grab an impressive 11 defensive rebounds on the week. While Newton mostly looked comfortable running the offense, his ball-handling was inconsistent. He had three assists in the opener but committed four turnovers against the Terriers. While Newton wasn’t known for his defense at ECU, he was solid on that end in both games and able to mostly stay on players. While fans may have had higher expectations for Newton entering the week, his inconsistency was understandable considering Newton was filling a different role than he did at ECU and playing in a different offensive system. As he gets more accustomed to the role Hurley wants him to play and his new teammates, I am confident Newton will be a strong guard at UConn and have some big games this season.

Finally, senior Joey Calcaterra, aka Joey California, offered some much needed 3-point shooting in his limited minutes. Calcaterra, who previously played for the University of San Diego, shot a combined 3-6 from deep in the two games and averaged 5.5 points. While his defense was shaky, he came up with 2 steals against BU and grabbed 4 boards. While Calcaterra will likely play limited minutes when Jackson and Hawkins return and must improve his defense, his 3point shooting can offer the Huskies some key scoring off the bench this season when necessary.

  • Freshman are fun!

While expectations were certainly high for Alex Karaban and to a lesser extent Donavan Clinigan entering the season, it is safe to say that fans didn’t expect the pair to have such good performances in their first two games for UConn. With injuries allowing the pair more playing time against Stonehill and BU, they took advantage and then some.

Karaban was touted as a big with a lot of offensive versatility and basketball IQ since arriving on campus, and he showed these skills off consistently last week. The freshman forward from New Hampshire averaged 11.5 points, 3.5 assists and 2 rebounds, and had a steal in each game. His performance earned him Big East Freshman of the Week honors. He showed the ability to both score in paint and hit the occasional jumper. Karaban, who scored 13 points against the Skyhawks and 10 against the Terriers, made up for his troubles from deep by attacking the basket for buckets and free throe opportunities. Karaban’s passing stood out more than his shooting, however. He had a combined 7 assists against just one turnover, displaying great court vision and ball handling. Karaban made excellent passes, especially in the paint. His basketball IQ was on display both with his passing as well as ability to move without the ball and execute pick-and-rolls.

On defense, Karaban occasionally lost players but played good team defense and guarded the basket occasionally when needed. Overall, Karaban displayed a ton of confidence and smarts on the court and the ability to make contributions wherever they were needed. His versatility should allow him to consistently make contributions even against tough competition.

As great as it was to watch all the Huskies last week, the most fun player to see was by far Donavon Clinigan, and I believe most fans would agree. In just 31 minutes, the gigantic Bristol native averaged 9.5 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. Clinigan mostly subbed for Sanago, but occasionally played alongside him to create a highly imposing frontcourt. Clinigan did an excellent job of finishing shots and getting putbacks. He had four offensive rebounds against BU and reached the free throw line six times, making four shots. On defense, Clinigan did a strong job of anticipating shots and avoiding fouls. He had 4 blocks in the opener. Clinigan looked much quicker than expected while still displaying lots of muscle, showing the weight loss and strength training he put in during the preseason has been paying off. Clinigan will have a lot of ups and downs like any freshman big, especially against high-quality opponents, but he already looks like much less of a project than anticipated. And it is so much fan to have a Connecticut native to root for again.   

  • Defense and Rebounding Again Key to Team Identity

 For the last two seasons, UConn’s biggest strengths were their defense, especially in the paint, and rebounding, particularly on the offensive end. Stonehill and BU were not exactly Creighton and Villanova, but the Huskies looked pretty much the same last week. On defense, Alleyne, and Diarra pressured guards relentlessly and forced turnovers, and Sanogo, Clinigan and Karaban took terms altering shots and protecting the rim. UConn got a ton of put-backs and limited the opposition to very few second-chance opportunities. If it can consistently be strong in these areas when Jackson and Hawkins return like last year, the Huskies will have a chance to win pretty much every game.

  • Team Needs to be More Disciplined on Offense and Consistent from Deep

The largest areas of concern against Stonehill and Boston University was UConn’s sloppiness and lousy 3-point shooting against the Skyhawks and in the first half against the Terriers. The Huskies committed 29 turnovers against 33 assists in the wins. Newton’s ball-handling was surprisingly, as he had 6 turnovers and only 4 assists. Calcaterra was also loose with the ball, committing 5 turnovers, and Sanago had 5. Only Diarra and Karaban had strong assists-to-turnover ratios. The turnovers were less the result of strong defense by Stonehill and BU than UConn not protecting the ball well, leading to steals, and playing out of control at times. I am confident that Hurley will work with the players in practice to improve their ball-handling. When Jackson and Hawkins return and Newton hopefully gets more acclimated to his role, I believe the Huskies will be smarter with the ball against a large majority of teams.

UConn’s iffy 3-point shooting is a little stranger. Considering Alleyne came in as a proven sharpshooter, Diarra and Newton have been decent from three in their careers, and Karaban entered the program with a reputation as a strong perimeter shooter, and the level of competition the Huskies were facing, there is no reason they should be struggling this much. The team largely took high-quality threes in both games, with many shots rimming out. For now, I will chalk up this hiccup to the law of averages. Once Johnson and Hawkins return, UConn’s 3-point shooting should be better. It will need to be solid throughout the season to consistently stretch the floor and give Sanago more room to operate down low.

  • Richie Springs, Take a Bow

It has been a tough couple of years for Springs, who had to redshirt and then barely play the last two seasons. The junior has continued to work hard and stay upbeat however, and it paid off in the first half against BU when other bigs were in foul trouble. Springs had five points and two assists in 10 minutes while also grabbing a rebound. He looked composed on both ends and played solid defense in the paint. Springs has always looked solid in the very few minutes he’s played, and hopefully Hurley will reward him by giving him occasional minutes while Samson is out and UConn is playing an easy schedule.  

Fans Need to be More Positive About Team

During the few weeks leading up to UConn’s preseason against Stonehill Monday night, I noticed a frustrating trend from the Huskies fanbase: Way too many members of Husky nation are extremely cynical about this team. Yes, there is the small contingent whom are already certain UConn will be lifting the national championship trophy. But many, especially online, are constantly questioning the team’s reliance on transfers and the ability of certain players to live up to the hype. These fans are especially skeptical of Dan Hurley’s ability to adjust as a coach and lead the Huskies to greater postseason success.

I don’t mind reasonable skepticism about UConn’s ability to be successful this season, and share a lot of the same questions and concerns as these fans to some extent. However, this cynicism is misplaced. Yes, there will be growing pains as the team integrates a lot of new faces and probably new styles of play (four-out on offense and a faster pace of play, zone on defense), and the Huskies will eventually have to demonstrate they can consistently win close games against tough opponents. But there will also be more depth and likely offensive versatility than the last few seasons, players are primed to take large steps forward, and the transfers each offer clear strengths already. The beginning of the UConn season is a time for optimism, not worry.

First, I believe the fanbase is expressing too much concern about transfers Tristen Newton (senior guard), Hassan Diarra (junior guard), and Naheim Alleyne (senior guard). UConn has shown already that they can develop transfers from smaller conferences into impact players in R.J. Cole and Tyrese Martin, and that will continue.

Newton, a 6-5, 190-pound combo guard, had a huge season at East Carolina last season, averaging 17.7 points and 5 assists and earning First Team All-AAC honors. He averaged just under 12 points overall in three seasons at ECU. Newton showed last season that he can take over games and be a floor general against strong competition, and brings more size and speed to UConn’s backcourt.

As he gets comfortable against the tougher competition, Newton should develop into a go-to scorer for the Huskies. He does not need to be the guy constantly handling the ball for UConn with Andre Jackson and Diarra also right there, and I don’t expect him to be. Newton just needs to gain the trust of his teammates and Hurley and demonstrate reliable ball-handling. By the middle of the season, I think Newton will be main guy the team relies on to attack the rim and get big-time buckets and free throws in crunch time. Dan Hurley has indicated he has high expectations for Newton and that he needs to work hard to meet them, and I believe Newton can meet Hurley’s demands.

 While Newton’s success will likely depend on his ability to create offense for both himself and others and make baskets when the game is on the line, Darra’s will depend on him being a junkyard dog and doing all the little things, especially on defense. The 6-2, 190-pound combo guard from Queens and Texas A&M is highly regarded as an on-ball defender and can use his size and strength to force turnovers. He showed at A&M that he can be a primarily ball-handler when necessary, and improved his assist-to-turnover ratio tremendously from freshman to sophomore year.

While Diarra is still an inconsistent offensive player, he similarly made strides as a shooter and demonstrated he could be a threat behind the arch, most memorably in the Big 12 Tournament. Diarra was highly regarded by the Aggies coaches for his work ethic and competitiveness, and all reports indicate Hurley and his staff feel the same way. I strongly believe that Darra’s strength and competitiveness could help him develop into a solid rebounder for a guard of his size.

Diarra seems like he is destined to eventually become a fan favorite at UConn. With his defense, ability to play the point, and improved shooting, he could be a sparkplug off the bench or an ideal running partner for Andre Jackson, Newton, and Jordan Hawkins. Diarra showed off his versatility against Stonehill (11 points on 5-8 shooting, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals) as well as his intensity. Reports coming out in the preseason said that Diarra was demonstrating improved shooting and the ability to run the offense effectively, and Hurley seems to get the most out of any player who plays all out. In a few years, Diarra could emerge just like Christian Vital did as a senior.

While Alleyne players shooting guard and not forward, it appears to me his game is a better, more complete version of Tyler Polley. The 6-4, 195-pound senior transfer was a reliable perimeter scorer in three seasons at Virginia Tech and made 37.3% of his threes for the Hokies last season. He is over 38% in his career from deep. While Alleyne missed all four threes, he took against Stonehill, there is no reason to think those numbers will not be similar at UConn. With his size and shooting range, Alleyne should open up the offense for whomever else is on the floor.

Alleyne is more than just a 3-point specialist, however. He is considered a solid defender, and had four steals in the opener. Alleyne can play at small forward against certain teams and has been both a starter and sixth man. His maturity and extensive experience playing in a high-major league can allow him to be a leader for the Huskies, especially in these first few weeks while Jackson and possibly Hawkins are out with injury.

Most of the feedback about Alleyne’s play in the preseason was positive, and Hurley expressed satisfaction with the flexibility he offers UConn on both ends of the court. Alleyne is the perfect complimentary player every good program needs to improve.

I have become even more frustrated over the skepticism fans have in the ability of Adama Sanogo, Andre Jackson and Jordan Hawkins to become more complete and efficient players. All the offseason work Sanogo put in to expand his game, and the team’s efforts to make the offense more flexible, can allow him to be the Big East Player of the Year. Fans have read the reports/stories and seen video about Adama expanding his shooting range and passing ability, and his passing certainly looked much smoother against Stonehill. I expect Sanogo to become a more disciplined defender over the course of the year as well, especially if Hurley fully adjusts the defense so Sanogo must defend the high hedge less. I also think that with the encouragement of Hurley, Sanogo will be more aggressive offensively (more dunks please!). Finally, the likely improvement of the Huskies shooting can make it much easier for Sanogo to score and create offense for others. Fans will have to wait a while to see if he can consistently make jumpers against good teams when the opportunity arises. But Sanogo has told the rest of the Big East for two years that they should not bet against him.

Andre Jackson is already likely the most essential player to UConn reaching its ceiling not named Sanogo, as well as my favorite Husky now that Martin left. He improved tremendously as a defender (I would argue he is one of the best in the Big East) and rebounder last season, and as a ball-handler in the second half of the season. While Jackson’s offensive game was extremely inconsistent and his shooting mechanics remained ugly, he significantly improved his shooting last season and was a 3-point threat, albeit with very few attempts. With all the hard work Jackson put in to improve those mechanics and ability to finish at the rim during the offseason, and the positive feedback Hurley and reporters have given about those efforts, I think Jackson will be a more aggressive offensive player and consistent scoring threat. He may even be able to average double digits.

While I am excited about Jackson’s potential to improve as a scorer, I am way more bullish in his ability to run the offense and create good scoring opportunities for others. Jackson’s speed, vision and unselfishness is unique, especially for a forward. If he can just be more disciplined and not always go for the spectacular pass, he can be a nightmare for defenders, especially on the fastbreak. Throw in Jackson’s eagerness to embrace the role of the Huskies vocal leader, and there is a reason Hurley thinks Jackson is the heart and soul of the team. I need a little time to see if Jackson can really be a point guard like he claims, especially if Jackson is rusty when he returns from injury in a week or so, but the NBA will come calling if he can.

I am a little less confident in Hawkins’s ability to take as big of a leap offensively as fans and pundits are predicting, and that the added muscle and weight he put on in the offseason will still make it easier for him to score and avoid injury. And of course, that fear of him getting injured has only increased since his possible concussion against Stonehill that will keep him out at least one game. Hawkins has excellent shooting mechanics and was consistently praised for the offensive improvements he showed in preseason practice and scrimmages by both Hurley and reporters. While James Bouknight was better as a freshman than Hawkins, Hurley has shown the ability to develop talented freshman into sophomore stars in both Bouknight and Sanago. There is a reason NBA scouts are so high on him and he is already projected to be a first-round pick if he leaves UConn. If Hawkins can improve his ball-handling and ability to score around the rim, Hawkins will be a double-digit scorer and could consistently take over games. And as a result, UConn will likely go on a postseason run and put Hawkins in position to be a possible lottery pick next summer. 

Finally, I feel a small but loud contingent of fans believe that based on the last two seasons, Dan Hurley is incapable of winning a majority of close games against quality teams and taking the Huskies to a Big East Tournament championship and far in the NCAA tournament. These fans have unrealistic expectations for Hurley and can sound ridiculous when saying he should be fired if UConn does not get to the Sweet 16 or further in the next two seasons. I am frustrated by how the past two seasons ended, and feel that Hurley can be too slow to make in-game adjustments and call timeouts, especially in their final minutes. His tendency to always be highly emotional in games also appears from my high to have a negative effect when the players are struggling. Still, Hurley’s strengths fair outweighs his faults. He appeared to make the necessary roster adjustments in the offseason for UConn to became a more well-rounded team.

Hurley is an excellent defensive coach, and his teams the last two seasons have been especially strong at guarding the paint and getting blocks, led by the incomparable Isiah Whaley. With the departure of Martin to the NBA and Whaley and Cole to other professional leagues, Hurley made sure to bring in two well-regarded defenders in Diarra and Alleyne. While Hurley’s offenses have been more limited, he made a concentrated effort to add better shooting and ball-handling through both the portal and recruiting (for this season and next). As already stated, generating improved perimeter shooting should give Sanago more space to operate in the post, which he frequently lacked last season.

In regards to returning players, Hurley has been clear that he plans on playing Jackson at point guard frequently when he returns. While that is an audacious move to make with a guy that was recruited as a forward and has been sloppy with his passing at times, it has a ton of upside. Jackson has outstanding court vision and length and has improved his ball handling, and a point guard with his speed and size could help UConn run a devastating fastbreak. Finally, Hurley has indicated he is willing to play more zones and other defensive styles with this year’s team instead of being so reliant on the high hedge. I think doing so successfully will help the big guys a ton, especially Sanago and Clinigan, and possibly allow the Huskies to have more energy for the end of games.

I am sure I will be plenty critical of Hurley on this blog at times throughout the season, especially if the Huskies continue to lose close games like they did last year. But if Hurley truly can adjust and learn from his mistakes, this is the year the team should break through in March Madness and win a few games. Who knows what will happen in future seasons, but it is nice to have a top-5 recruiting class coming to Storrs next season.

I urge Husky nation to embrace this fun team with so many newcomers. Enjoy the opening slate of games and the opportunity to see less experienced players contribute, and do not freak out if UConn drops a game or two when they start facing powerful out-out conference teams. This group has the talent to seriously challenge for the Big East titles and go on a tournament run, and is showing a lot of promise already despite missing some key players. If UConn has a strong year, it will put them in position to likely challenge for a Final Four in the next couple of years with the talent coming in. Support the players and enjoy the ride!

Apostolos Rumoglou Promises to Be Another Interesting International Recruit for Huskies

While the addition of Israeli player Yarin Hasson in late August was a welcome surprise for UConn, the successful recruitment of Apostolos Rumoglou in early September particularly came out of nowhere. While Dan Hurley had dropped hints throughout the summer about the Huskies trying to get two international players to fill out all 13 scholarships, it seemed very unlikely the team would do so by that late in the recruiting period. However, Hurley and his assistants have proven their recruiting prowess over the last few years, and they were able to attract the Greek native quickly to Storrs once they zeroed in on him. Let’s hope that Rumoglou can be a diamond in the rough.

While Rumoglou was not apparently being pursued by any other schools in the last year, he has been successful against tough competition. The 6-7 ,200-pound guard, who recently turned 19, has played significant minutes this year for the PAOK mateco team in the Greek Basketball Champion’s League. Rumoglou played for Greece’s U-18 team in last year’s FIBA European Challenges and shot 37% from three while shooting 31% overall.

Hurley said that the Huskies went after Rumoglou primarily to add depth to the roster and obtain another player who could develop into a valuable weapon in future seasons. Finally, bringing Rumoglou and Hassan shows that UConn is committed to recruiting international prospects.

“It’s important for us to get more guys in here so that we can practice the way you need to practice to prepare for Big East games, which are different than most conference games,” Hurley said after Rumoglou committed. “Just give us some young players that have a chance to develop. Obviously, it is going to take them time because they have never even played basketball in the States here.”   

Hurley implied that the program will need to go after international guys earlier in the recruiting process to get more proven players. The UConn coaches decided that Rumoglou would be a good fit for the roster after watching film. They recruited him via Zoom, and had never seen him play in person before Rumoglou arrived in Storrs.

While Rumoglou’s game may not be as diverse as Hasson’s, he offers a few distinct advantages. He arguably faced tougher competition in the Greek leagues and is almost two years older. Hurley has said this could help him acclimate more quickly to the competition in practice and eventually in Big East games. Rumoglou also gives the Huskies another shooting guard with size who is a strong perimeter shooter. The coaches have already said that his perimeter shooting has been impressive in practice and UConn’s scrimmages against Hartford and Virginia.

While Rumoglou may just be an extra body for the Huskies this season and possibly next year as well, I believe bringing him to Storrs will be a shrewd recruiting move by Hurley. You can never have too much shooting and depth, and all indications point to Rumoglou having a strong work ethic. If Rumoglou can diversify his offensive game and demonstrate solid defensive skills in practice and eventually in games, he should be an impact player as an upperclassman. I just hope that his success could lead to UConn getting international players who make immediate contributions down the line.    

Freshman Evaluation: Yarin Hasson Brings Offensive Talent From Israel to Storrs

Alone with fellow freshman Apostolos Rummglou, Israeli native Yarin Hasson is hopefully the first step in UConn becoming a destination for international players. It may take a while for the versatile 6-9 forward to make an impact in actual games, as he faces a steep learning curve and most get significantly stronger. But Hasson, whom committed to UConn in late August, offers the offensive skills Dan Hurley has began looking more and more from his big men: quality perimeter shooting and passing.

Hasson, who only just turned 18, played his high school ball for Gimnasia Realit in Rishon Le-Zion. He is also a member of Israel’s U18 national team and played for the Maccabi rishon le Zion club team. The big is considered one of the best prospects in the country.

Hasson, who was encouraged to play in the U.S. by recruiter and countryman Yuval Shaham, committed to the University of Denver last spring. After admission issues with the school however, he chose to decommit and was recruited by a number of schools. Hurley and assistant Luke Murray discovered Hasson a few months, and were impressed by his YouTube videos and the Zoom conversations the trio had.

For Hasson, the coaches and school made an immediate impression on him.

“When I talked with Coach Hurley and Coach Murray, I really liked what they said to me,” Hasson told CT Insider. “They like to work hard, they have passion for the game. I liked that because that is my mindset, too.”

While there is little video out there of Hasson right now, the clips available immediately show why the Huskies decided to go after him as a developmental piece. Hasson showcases a good stroke from deep, quality passing ability and the ability to score inside as well. In addition, Hasson has been praised for his basketball IQ. Down the road, it’s easy to imagine that he could be a dangerous weapon on offense in multiple ways. While there is little information about Hasson’s defensive ability, he said he believes he could be an effective shot blocker.

As promising as Hasson is, he will not be a finished product for a while. Sham and the UConn coaches have said that he needs to become much stronger and adapt to the Huskies strength and conditioning program. Hasson, whom just turned 18, will also be much younger than the average freshman. As strong as his basketball IQ is, he obviously has a steep learning curb with the level of competition the Big East offers compared to the leagues he has competed in before. Hasson will be a valuable practice player this season, but I strongly doubt he won’t get any real minutes for at least another season.

Hasson quickly made a strong impression on his new teammates when he arrived in Storrs. Andre Jackson in particular has a lot of praise for him back in September. The junior singled out Hasson’s energy level and focus, and gave him kudos for his ability to adjust quickly to a new country and culture.

If Hasson is successful at UConn, the program may finally be able to consistently start getting international players to come, something that has not happened since the reign of Jim Calhoun. Hurley has made it clear he would like to bring on the occasional international player, particularly since they have the reputation of being more fundamentally sound than the average U.S. player coming out of high school.

Hasson is particularly unique because he may be able to open a pipeline to attracting Israeli players, something that UConn had great success with in the early years of Jim Calhoun’s tenure. In particular, Nadav Henfeld and Doron Sheffer were key building blocks to the Huskies becoming a preeminent program. Hasson spoke about the appeal UConn still has for Israeli players and fans.

“In Israel, UConn is really an iconic university and it’s really well-known here,” Hasson said. “Second, UConn is for real a big (basketball) school, a really high-major school, in the Big East. “I believe I can play at this level.”  

Hasson is exactly the type of player UConn should be bringing to Storrs to fill out the roster and serve as a developmental piece. His work ethic and basketball IQ will make him a valuable practice player, and Hasson’s versatile offensive game will immediately be a valuable skill set. If Hasson can get stronger and adjust to the level of competition over the next two years, he should be a valuable rotation player as an upperclassman. Throw in the possibility Hasson’s success could attract quality international players, and he offers a ton of upside.

Freshman Evaluation: Alex Karaban set to Bring Diverse Offensive Game to Team

Karaban, a Massachusetts native, played two seasons at the New Hampton School, earning the New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the year for the 2021-22 season. After committing to play at UConn last August, Karaban played part of a post-grad year at IMG Academy in Florida before joining UConn during the spring semester. Karaban got the opportunity to work out, compete in practice and watch his older teammates from the bench during games.

During his senior season at New Hampton, Karaban averaged 25.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.9 blocks per game while connecting on 60.3% of his field-goal attempts. He led the school to the NEPSAC Class AAA tournament championship, being names the MVP of the title game. As a member of the AAU team Expressions Elite, he averaged 18.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 blocks and earned selection to the All-Peach Jam Second Team. At the time of his commitment, Karaban was ranked 42nd in his class by ESPN.

Karaban is a 6-8 forward and entered UConn weighing 230 but had since lost 15 pounds as of the middle of August. He is a high-quality midrange and outside shooter but can also use his bulk to beat defenders at the rim. Karaban is also considered a solid passer and is an outstanding free throw shooter. He should develop into a strong rebounder for the Huskies, and multiple writers have particularly singled out Karaban’s work on the offensive glass.

Karaban will be a work-in-progress on defense at the start of his career. He was considered a solid defender in high school, particularly when playing team defense. Karaban will likely most have to work on developing more speed and improving footwork. His basketball IQ, which was signaled out for praise by Dan Hurley when Karaban committed, should help in this area and allow Karaban to adjust to different defensive schemes. It will be interesting to see if Karaban becomes an effective shot blocker over the course of his UConn career.

Karaban’s stock has only risen since the team has returned to consistently practicing over the last two months. Much of the information coming out of practice has indicated that Karaban has consistently impressed the team with his shooting, rebounding and overall effort and basketball IQ. Hurley admitted a few days ago that Karaban had a solid chance to start at forward. Although I believe Samson Johnson will be the nominal starter at the four to start the year, I’m very confident the pair will split starter’s minutes while Andre Jackson is out with injury the first two weeks of the season.

While Karaban may not be the most acclaimed recruit Hurley has recruited to Storrs during his tenure, he may be the one I am most excited to watch. The ability Karaban could have to stretch the floor makes him stand out from any other freshman big man. When you add on Karaban’s ability to score and rebound around the rim as well and basketball IQ, he could quickly become something special. If Karaban is successful, it will only help UConn’s ability to attract top recruits in the Northeast and more versatile bigs. Now just become more refined on defense, Alex.

Tristen Newton Should be Playmaker Team Needs at Point

Despite UConn’s success the last three seasons, the program has not been blessed with a reliable scorer and playmaker at point guard. Enter Tristen Newton, formally of East Carolina. He was heavily recruited after entering the transfer portal when the Pirates season ended and the Huskies pounced on him quickly to fill their hole in the backcourt. After his official visit, Newton was quickly on board with playing in Storrs.

Newton was considered one of the top guards in the entire transfer portal and for good reason. He averaged 17.7 points, 5 assists and 4.8 rebounds for the 15-15 Pirates, regularly carrying the team in the AAC. Barring an injury, Newton seems penciled as Newton’s primary point guard next season (although Andre Jackson should run the offense to a decent extent).

The “6-5”, 190 pound Newton can score from anywhere on the floor and is particularly adapt at getting to and finishing at the rim, as well as reaching the free throw line. He was automatic from the stripe last season, shooting 87.9% overall and leading the American with an 87.4% mark. Factor in Newton’s ball-handling, ability to make plays for teammates and rebound and defend, and it’s clear he could have been successful day one at whatever program he transferred to.

Newton’s advanced stats as a junior show why he was a star for ECU. Newton had a true shooting percentage of 57.5% and an effective field goal percentage of 49.9%. In conference play, he ranked 16th in true shooting percentage. While Newton isn’t a huge threat from beyond the arc, his mark of 33.3% last season was more than respectable. Newton’s assist rate in conference play ranked second at33.2, and his overall rate of 34.4 was 24th in the nation. Newton demonstrated he could he could carry an extremely heavy workload last season, averaging the highest percentage of minutes of any AAC player and the third-most percentage of possessions.

Newton’s arrival should give the team a reliable three-true outcome scorer. In particular, Newton can both stretch the floor and effectively find teammates for good scoring opportunities. His versatility will especially be key if Hurley chooses to play four-out on offense for stretches. I can just imagine Andre Jackson and Adama Sanogo getting a lot of quality scoring chances because of Newton’s ability to create.

On defense, Newton’s steal percentage last season was 2.4% and he was excellent on the defensive boards for a point guard, grabbing 13.1% of his opportunities. Newton had multiple steals in 14 games, and five or more rebounds in 15 games. His size and athleticism will allow him to reliably pressure ball-handlers, and Newton’s rebounding ability can help UConn get out ahead of teams and and effectively run the fast-break. Dan Hurley also mentioned that Newton’s length will possibly allow the Huskies to play zone more.

Newton is expected to become UConn’s to-to player from day one along with Adama Sanogo. However, he certainly knows there are things he can immediately improve on both now and throughout the season. Newton specifically pointed to improving his strength and conditioning to withstand the tougher competition in the Big East.

Newton embraced the Huskies when he entered the portal after Hurley and the coaching staff demonstrated knowledge of his background and game, something that was not true of many programs that reached out to Newton. His bond continued to strengthen with the coaches and players once Newton reached campus. Like many players, he appreciates Hurley’s passion on the court.

“Ever since the first phone call, I knew that they cared about their players,” Newton said. “They’re players’ coaches. They’re going to push you hard and want the best for you. That’s what drew me here.”

It’s a question mark right now how likely Newton is to use his extra year. On one hand, he can be a signature player for the Huskies and a leader embraced by fans. On the other hand, Newton can put himself in position to be drafted if he has a strong season.

Newton can surpass R.J. Cole and Tyrese Martin as maybe the highest-impact transfer in UConn history. In particular, he can be the key to the program becoming much more versatile on offense and finally lead them to a tournament run again. If Newton is successful with the Huskies, it will only make them more appealing for transfers going forward. Bring him on!

Naheim Alleyne Brings Experience and Shooting to Storrs

Naheim Alleyne had three strong years at Virginia Tech, averaging 9.9 points. But after a tough first-round NCAA tourney loss for the Hokies, Alleyne was looking for a fresh start in the transfer portal. That’s when Luke Murray and UConn came calling.

While the “6-4” shooting guard was heavily pursued by programs looking for shooting, Murray was the only assistant coach who directly messaged Alleyne on Instagram. Alleyne then forged a close connection with the rest of the assistant coaching staff, and once he met Dan Hurley in person and saw the school up close, Alleyne realized the Huskies were the perfect fit for him.

UConn met the three criteria he was looking for in a program: skill development, a strong relationship with the coaches, and an appealing campus environment. Meanwhile, Alleyne was fulfilling the Huskies desire for a veteran guard who could reliably put the ball in the basket and bring a winning mentality.

As a player, Alleyne profiles as a sharpshooter, reliable ballhandler and skilled defender. He is a career 38.7% 3-point shooter and has been very consistent from deep throughout his career. Last season, he shot 37.3% from three and was twenty-third in ACC play at 37.9%. He made three or more treys in 10 games. With Virginia Tech, Alleyne especially provided himself adept moving without the ball and shooting off of screens.

Overall on offense, Alleyne averaged 9.6 points per game last season with an effect field goal percentage of 48.2% and a true shooting percentage of 51.8%. Alleyne’s shooting inside the arc was again underwhelming (38.8%), but he did shoot over 85% at the line. Alleyne scored in double-digits 17 times and was strong in February during ACCC play, averaging 10 points. However he struggled in the ACC tourney even as the Hokies won, averaging just 6.5 points, and scored four on 1-3 shooting in their first round NCAA tourney loss to Texas.

While Alleyne is known for the three, he has the ability to be a solid midrange shooter as well as take the ball to the rim and score. Alleyne is not going to be a guy who regularly creates his own offense, but he can make a shot from anywhere on the floor with enough spacing. At the same time, Alleyne has the passing ability to find open teammates anywhere on the floor.

Alleyne is a very reliable ballhandler, as he committed just over one turnover per game last season. In ACC play, his turnover percentage of 13% was 19th in the conference. While Alleyne averaged just 1.5 assists, he is universally regarded as a good passer and that percentage should go up if UConn is able to knock down outside shots and spread the floor. Alleyne should especially be able to find teammates like Adama Sanogo and Andre Jackson open inside for easy looks. Because of Alleyne’s size and length, the Huskies can also rely on him to break the press in certain situations.

With his size and agility, Alleyne should be a handful against any guard or small forward he defends. He is known for his aggressiveness and active hands as well as his ability to avoid fouls. The senior transfer averaged a steal a game and had six games with double digit steals last season. With how well Alleyne seems to fit Dan Hurley’s defensive system and the coach’s ability to teach it, I could easily see these numbers going up.

Alleyne certainly has lofty goals now that he has arrived in Storrs. He told the Courant that his goal is to win both the Big East title and national championship as well as improve as a player. He also wants to show more emotion on the court at UConn, emulating Dan Hurley as much as he can.

I believe Alleyne was another great portal pickup for UConn. He’s the ideal 3-and-D player, and we know he want be intimidated playing in the Big East after facing so much talent in the ACC. All the feedback about Alleyne so far this offseason has been positive. Alleyne will definitely push Jordan Hawkins for the third guard spot in the starting lineup, although it’s more likely that he would be the first guard of the bench. Alleyne found a great landing spot, and I look forward to seeing him drain threes in my dreams.