This season's UConn Huskies are a very, very hard team to predict. We've been hammered by injuries for three straight seasons. And we have not had any depth of talent to weather those injuries.
That said, Gilbert was a McD AA for a reason, even if he has never had a chance to show it. Carlton has developed into a beast inside, a real offensive threat that will attract double teams. Vital is a consistent and reliable scorer.
Then the rest is a question of whether we get the upside surprise the downside or the middle of the road. Four freshmen, three expected to have big roles. What will we get? Polley is a hard worker who can shoot, has he improved his overall game enough? Hurley says to expect an upside surprise. Sid is a great athlete and can impact the game, can he find a consistent shot and play defense within the scheme? Whaley has bulked up, but always had hops, energy and could board very well. If he can hold his ground now, could see important minutes. Adams isn't athletic, but is big, strong and plays hard.
If everything goes as well as it can, this team could crack the top 25. The normal or expected result is probably NCAA bubble or NIT. The everything goes wrong result is we miss the post season. We've had the almost everything goes wrong result three straight seasons. I think we are due.
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