College Hoops Countdown | #12 UConn

Leading up to the 2009 NIT Season Tip Off on November 16th, Pickin’ Splinters will be counting down the top 25 of the college hardwood nation.

‘08 – ’09 Results: 31 – 5 (15 -3 Big East) Lost in the Final Four to Michigan State, 82 – 73.

Coach: Jim Calhoun  557 – 205 (23 years at UConn) 805 – 342 overall (37 seasons)

Key Returners:

Gavin Edwards – 3.8ppg, 3.0rpg

Stanley Robinson – 8.5ppg, 5.9rpg

Jerome Dyson – 13.2ppg, 4.1rpg

Kemba Walker – 8.9ppg, 3.5rpg

Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 12/9 vs. Kentucky, 12/30 at Cincinnati, 1/17 at Michigan, 1/23 vs. Texas

Stat of Identity: 37.7% field goal percentage – third in the nation.

By Paul Gotham

The more things change; the more things stay the same. Sounds complicated, but in Storrs, Connecticut, it’s a way of life. The names on the backs of the jerseys may change every so often, but the way the Huskies play basketball remains the same – rebounding, playing defense, and making the opponent work for everything they get. That is how Jim Calhoun-coached teams play.

Only the Huskies could overcome the loss of Jerome Dyson for the last twelve games of the 2008-09 season. Many programs would have faltered when losing a player of Dyson’s ability. Instead, the Huskies regrouped and made a run to the Final Four.

Last year’s recipe was a familiar one: making it hard for teams to score – 37.7% from the field. UConn accomplished this playing in the deepest conference in the land. UConn also ranked third in rebound margin (8.9) and number one in blocked shots (7.8).

Gone are Hasheem Thabeet, Jeff Adrien, and A.J. Price, but don’t count out the Huskies. If you go back through the years, the Huskies always get it done the same way.

When Dyson went down, Kemba Walker took his spot. Walker responded with a 23-point performance against Missouri in the Elite Eight. Walker and Dyson will have to make up for the loss of Price’s three-point shooting.

Alex Oriakhi and Gavin Edwards may not block as many shots as Thabeet, but combined the two will swat more than their fair share. Stanley Robinson made a name for himself in last year’s tournament averaging 17ppg and 9rpg over the Huskies final six contests. With a full season, Robinson could establish himself as one of the top ten players in the country.

Seven footer, Charles Okwandu will come off the bench along with four freshmen: Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, Ater Majok, Darius Smith, and Jamal Trice.

Twelve former Huskies earn paychecks in the NBA. UConn ranks third with North Carolina in this category.