Player Predictions: 2013-2014
Player Predictions: 2013-2014
-CTBasketball
Shabazz Napier
- Shabazz will have another great season, especially if he can stay healthy. His numbers will be right around the same, with rebounding decreasing a tad. If everyone steps up, the amount of minutes he plays should decline a little, but that won’t hurt his numbers or impact on the court.
Ryan Boatright
- Boat’s season might be the most difficult to predict. If he comes out as a true team player, he will have a great season. I could see him averaging just under 14 per game to go along with around 6-7 assists per game. If he becomes too NBA/scoring hungry, then we will see the Boat from last year. That is still a great player, but he has more untapped potential and can really make this team flourish.
DeAndre Daniels
- DeAndre is the most pro-ready out of all the Huskies. I think we’ll see an Otto Porter Jr. type campaign from Daniels this winter. His numbers will increase in all categories, especially scoring. He realized late last season he is a true scorer, an unstoppable one at that, when he is on. Expect him to carry this mentality throughout the season. I can easily see him approaching 19-20 points a game.
Omar Calhoun
- Fresh off of hip surgery, I expect Calhoun’s sophomore season to be just like his freshman season. There are too many more reliable scoring options around him, and he will struggle to put points up on a consistent basis. In my opinion, he would benefit the team more coming off the bench as a 6th man instead of starting. He can give us that double digit off-the-bench scorer that UConn hasn’t seen since the days of Rashad Anderson. However, the starting job is his to lose come training camp time.
Tyler Olander
- Contrary to popular belief, I think Olander will make some significant gains in his game over the off-season. He will not make the Hilton Armstrong senior jump, but he will improve. I predict he’ll have around 5-6 points per game to go along with 6-7 rebounds per night. He will be more consistent than last year, which will be a plus in our weak frontcourt.
Niels Giffey
- Giffey is fighting for a starting job. He is one of the better defenders on the team and has great rebounding IQ. I expect Giffey to have a great senior season; averaging just under 10 points per game and pulling down 5-6 rebounds per night. If he can shoot at a good clip, he blossom into a lethal perimeter player. He could start, but the 6th man slot seems more realistic. Either way, Niels gives 110% every time he steps on the court.
Phil Nolan
- Phil Nolan has the tools and the potential to become a very good frontcourt player. He needs to be more aggressive and make his shots count. He is fighting for a starting job at the center slot, where it seems he naturally belongs. I predict he’ll put up around 5 and 5 for the season. Not a great stat-line, but he is just a role player on this team. He needs to just rebound and defend in order to help the team. Any scoring will be a bonus
Leon Tolksdorf
- Tolksdorf will not see a ton of playing time this season, simply because he plays behind DeAndre Daniels and Niels Giffey. However, his big frame can be serviceable down low. He could potentially see minutes as a power forward. He can rebound and step outside to knock down the 3. His numbers will be low, but he is not expected to score.
Lasan Kromah
- Kromah will be put into the RJ Evans role this season. He won’t be expected to score, but he will take more shots than Evans ever did. Having scored double digits in multiple seasons at George Washington, his scoring ability will be put to the test against better opponents. I predict he’ll average around 5 points a night.
Amida Brimah
- Players believe he will have a larger impact than expected this season. The tall, lanky frosh has the potential to become a solid shot blocker and defender. His scoring is lacking, but he is not expected to score. A good season for Amida will be averaging around 3-4 rebounds per game and 1-2 blocks per night.
Kentan Facey
- If Facey is allowed to play, then he will have a good freshman season. A good season for Facey would be around 4 and 4. He is a natural shot blocker, and any blocks would help.
Terrence Samuel
- If Samuel is cleared to play, then he will step in and provide minor minutes. Anything we get from Samuel is a plus. The most valuable thing he can gain from this season is to learn from Shabazz Napier.
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