CONNECTICUT HUSKIES

2008-09 Record: 31-5, (14-2 BIG EAST)

Quick Facts

Location: Storrs, Conn.
Enrollment: 29,383
Founded: 1881
Knicknames: Huskies
Colors: National Flag Blue and White
Home Court: Harry A. Gampel Pavillion (10,167)
XL Center (16,294)

Coaching Staff

Head Coach:
Jim Calhoun

Assistant Coaches
George Blaney
Andre LaFleur
Patrick Sellers

The Big Picture
The Huskies made their third trip to the NCAA Final Four last season mainly on the broad shoulders of center Hasheem Thabeet who was the BIG EAST Co-Player of the Year and the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year.  Seniors A.J. Price and Jeff Adrien also made critical contributions.  All three have departed, but no one should expect a significant dropoff for 2009-10.  Coach Jim Calhoun has a pair of returning starters and other experienced hands who appear ready to accept larger roles.

Who's Back
Guard Jerome Dyson started at shooting guard until a foot injury put him on the shelf for the stretch drive and all of the postseason.  An excellent offensive player who also gets it done defensively, Dyson averaged 13.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists.  Sophomore Kemba Walker is expecting to replace Price at point guard.  Walker made the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team after averaging 8.9 points and playing 25 minutes per game.  Forward Stanley Robinson did not play until December of last season but ended up starting 24 of 28 games.  An explosive athlete, he averaged 8.5 points and 5.9 boards mostly at the small forward.  Senior Gavin Edwards may step into Thabeet's spot in the middle.  Edwards averaged 3.8 points and 3.0 rebounds as a reserve.  Edwards will try to hold off senior Jonathan Mandeldove and junior Charles Okwandu who have seen limited action.

Who's Missing
It's hard not to overestimate the loss of Thabeet.  A two-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, he is the league's all-time blocked shot leader.  Last season, he averaged 13.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.2 blocks.  Price, who was the MVP of the NCAA West Regional, averaged 14.7 points and 4.7 assists for the year.  Adrien averaged 13.6 points and 9.9 rebounds.  He was fourth in the league in rebounding, right behind Thabeet.  Guard Craig Austrie, a dependable four-year performer, averaged 7.2 points and offered strong defense.

Storylines
Expect the backcourt to be strong again with Dyson and Walker.  Junior Donnell Beverly is an experienced backup.  Robinson may be ready to emerge as a league standout at small forward.  A pair of freshmen, 6-9 Alex Oriakhi and 6-7 Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, will compete for an open forward position.  Six-ten newcomer Ater Majok, who will become eligible at the end of the fall semester, figures to contribute immediately in the frontcourt.  The Huskies want to maintain their top-notch defensive identity.  Last season in BIG EAST games, UConn was first in scoring defense (62.1 percent), field goal defense (37.6) and blocked shots (8.2).