Starters
Alterique Gilbert
The prized recruit from the 2016 class, the top-30 player had his season cut short early on. The former McDonald’s All-American is now healthy after shoulder surgery and will return as the primary point guard. He averaged double figures in a small sample size, so hopefully, we’ll be able to see him all year this time around.
Jalen Adams
The lone bright spot of last year’s team, Adams put up impressive numbers as a sophomore. His averages of 14.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 6.1 apg were great considering the talent surrounding him late in the year. Adams and Gilbert will give Coach Ollie two solid ball handlers on the floor at the same time.
Christian Vital
The wing spot could be an issue all year for UConn. As you’ll see later on with the bench, there’s a lot of ball handlers and post players, but next to nothing on the wings. Adams will likely fill the three spot, allowing Vital to play more of the shooting guard role.
He’s the best equipped to do it, as his 37% perimeter shooting allows him to spread the floor for the rest of the roster. The guards lack size, but can still play good defense against the rest of the league.
Terry Larrier
Larrier was a highly-sought after transfer after he left VCU. He started out great, averaging 16.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg before he went down with an unfortunate ACL injury. The 6’8″ forward is healthy and ready to go and will combine with Adams for one of the best duos in the AAC.
His size at 185 pounds does present a problem against bigger frontcourts and he may be better served at the wing spot. For now, Ollie might go with the lineup of players he trusts, before changing it depending on who steps up on the bench.
David Onuorah
A grad transfer from Cornell, Onuorah will spend his final year with the Huskies. While the 6’9″, 244-pound center isn’t much of an offensive threat, he plays solid defense and should fit in with the system.