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Message: [QUOTE="CL82, post: 4032060, member: 44"] [URL='https://www.bigeast.com/news/2021/8/16/mens-basketball-bigeasthoops-notebook-looking-ahead.aspx']#BIGEASThoops Notebook: Looking Ahead - Big East Conference[/URL] [B][I]UConn [/I][/B] Here’s what we know about the Huskies: they will defend and rebound as well as anyone in the BIG EAST. In their return season to the league, UConn allowed only 64.6 points per game and owned a +5.1 rebounding margin, both of which were best in the conference. The Huskies have a large amount of their core back with RJ Cole, Tyrese Martin, Tyler Polley, Isaiah Whaley, Adama Sanogo and others. The question: Who will be the Huskies’ alpha? With James Bouknight gone to the NBA, UConn is looking for someone to step up and be the lead scorer offensively. Martin could be someone who takes on more after averaging 10 and eight last season. A healthy Andre Jackson could be a breakout candidate for the Huskies. He was recruited to be a dynamic wing for UConn. Coach Dan Hurley and his staff also bring in the league’s No. 2 recruiting class according to 247 Sports, with four-star guards Jordan Hawkins and Rahsool Diggins joined by four-star center Samson Johnson. The offense could also take on a by-committee approach with different players stepping up when needed, such as Polley, who was vital for the Huskies at times from beyond the three-point arc, particularly when Bouknight was sidelined last year with an injury. There’s no question in my mind that Sanogo (7.3 points, 4.8 rebounds last year) should take a significant leap in his second year. He’s primed for it, and will be one of the best bigs in the league. Again, experience usually wins in college basketball and UConn has plenty of it. Identifying their star in late-game situations will be interesting to watch, but with the length they have inside and Cole at the point guard spot, there’s no reason why the Huskies shouldn’t be one of the top teams in the BIG EAST and returning to the Big Dance floor in March. [/QUOTE]

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