UConn Hypothetical

[GumbyDamnit!]

Was thinking... Where does the collective board think that UConn would fall in this year's BE preseason polls if they were starting conference play immediately?
Admittedly, I have a shallow knowledge of UConn's current squad other than what I saw vs Nova last year. But based on their results last year, what they have coming back and who they have coming in, what spot in the hierarchy would you honestly project this team to be (preseason at least)?

For a single point of reference, 2019 KenPom ranking:
Butler - 72
PC - 79
SJU - 88
UConn - 98
G'town - 100
DePaul - 118

(I'm sure this won't cause any spirited debate.)

My first gut thought, even before looking at anything specific like KenPom and roster, was 9th--slightly ahead of Depaul and SJU.

[Edrick]

UConn is going to find the Big East problematic for a while. They have had results, consistently, in recent years that would place them in the bottom 1/4. Hard to see that changing over the next couple of years.

[Bogg]

I'd pretty confidently say they'd be behind all of (in no order) Seton Hall, X, Georgetown, Nova, and Marquette. I think you could make a case for them being more in the middle of the 6-11 if you really like their freshman class, but they'd be much closer to 11 than to 1.

[Husky_U]

UConn is going to find the Big East problematic for a while. They have had results, consistently, in recent years that would place them in the bottom 1/4. Hard to see that changing over the next couple of years.

For sure. A new head coach known for turning around programs and current/future Top 20 recruiting class(es) won't make any difference. Consistent poor results are the way (for a while).

[Husky_U]

I'd pretty confidently say they'd be behind all of (in no order) Seton Hall, X, Georgetown, Nova, and Marquette. I think you could make a case for them being more in the middle of the 6-11 if you really like their freshman class, but they'd be much closer to 11 than to 1.

Agreed. Definitely opening day of the BET tournament, probably the 7/10 or 8/9 game.

[Westbrook#36]

What the hell is this crap??? Rational and level headed UConn posters to a fault, WTF! Don't you know, you were brought in to wear the black hat. Come on now, the Huskies are going to come in and resume their place in the upper echelons on the BE instantly.

[Irishdawg]

UConn is going to find the Big East problematic for a while. They have had results, consistently, in recent years that would place them in the bottom 1/4. Hard to see that changing over the next couple of years.

For sure. A new head coach known for turning around programs and current/future Top 20 recruiting class(es) won't make any difference. Consistent poor results are the way (for a while).

He also said something to the effect that Butler had the same likelihood of landing latest commit Myles Tate that anyone on the Butler board had of dating Jessica Alba.

[ArmyVet]

"NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Biggest winners and losers from 2019 classes" - Fan Sided Sports

by Tristan Freeman
Posted: 07/21/19, 4:30pm cst

https://bustingbrackets.com/2019/07/...019-classes/7/

"...No. 3 Loser – UConn Huskies:
When Dan Hurley arrived at UConn to replace Kevin Ollie, the expectation was that the program would turn around, especially on the recruiting trail. And he did bring in a top-25 recruiting class in his first haul, including a pair of top-100 guards Jalen Gaffney and James Bouknight. The Huskies also got a commitment from transfer RJ Cole, who averaged 25 ppg this past season at Howard. He’ll be eligible to play in 2020-21.

The perimeter for UConn will be in very good shape next season, despite the absence of leading scorer Jalen Adams. Upperclassmen Alterique Gilbert and Christian Vital will lead the way along with the incoming guards. The problem, which has been this way for several years now, is the frontcourt production.

Forwards Josh Carlton and Tyler Polley combined to average 17.4 ppg and 8.5 rpg as starters and did improve as sophomores. But they’ll have to improve in a big way to help bring a team who finished under .500 back to contending for the NCAA Tournament in 2020.

The reason why UConn made the wrong side of this list is that despite Hurley’s efforts, the program failed to upgrade their frontcourt this offseason. They will have top-100 forward Akok Akok in play after sitting out the second half of last season but failed to bring in anyone else. The Huskies tried but couldn’t land recruits such as Kofi Cockburn, Tre Mitchell, Qudus Wahab and others.

It’s hard to see UConn being good enough to go back dancing and until they can improve their frontcourt, the program will have a low ceiling. Coach Hurley was able to bring in some talent but it was for the backcourt, where the priority really should’ve been in the frontcourt. And they’ll really need to find some big bodies soon, with a pending move to the Big East after next season....

[gtmoBlue]

Who knows? I'll go along with Freeman, the busting brackets guy. I dumped Jessica alba last year for Anushka Sharma. Anushka has much less mileage.

[BFieldHusky]

"NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Biggest winners and losers from 2019 classes" - Fan Sided Sports

by Tristan Freeman
Posted: 07/21/19, 4:30pm cst

https://bustingbrackets.com/2019/07/...019-classes/7/

"...No. 3 Loser – UConn Huskies:
When Dan Hurley arrived at UConn to replace Kevin Ollie, the expectation was that the program would turn around, especially on the recruiting trail. And he did bring in a top-25 recruiting class in his first haul, including a pair of top-100 guards Jalen Gaffney and James Bouknight. The Huskies also got a commitment from transfer RJ Cole, who averaged 25 ppg this past season at Howard. He’ll be eligible to play in 2020-21.

The perimeter for UConn will be in very good shape next season, despite the absence of leading scorer Jalen Adams. Upperclassmen Alterique Gilbert and Christian Vital will lead the way along with the incoming guards. The problem, which has been this way for several years now, is the frontcourt production.

Forwards Josh Carlton and Tyler Polley combined to average 17.4 ppg and 8.5 rpg as starters and did improve as sophomores. But they’ll have to improve in a big way to help bring a team who finished under .500 back to contending for the NCAA Tournament in 2020.

The reason why UConn made the wrong side of this list is that despite Hurley’s efforts, the program failed to upgrade their frontcourt this offseason. They will have top-100 forward Akok Akok in play after sitting out the second half of last season but failed to bring in anyone else. The Huskies tried but couldn’t land recruits such as Kofi Cockburn, Tre Mitchell, Qudus Wahab and others.

It’s hard to see UConn being good enough to go back dancing and until they can improve their frontcourt, the program will have a low ceiling. Coach Hurley was able to bring in some talent but it was for the backcourt, where the priority really should’ve been in the frontcourt. And they’ll really need to find some big bodies soon, with a pending move to the Big East after next season....

Just pointing out that since that article was written, Uconn got the commitment of Richie Springs, who is a Top 150 PF for the 2019 class.