Busting Brackets
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UConn Basketball: Analyzing the Huskies’ 2018-19 rotation

By Tristan Freeman

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 08: Tarin Smith #3 of the Duquesne Dukes dribbles past Khwan Fore #2 of the Richmond Spiders during the first half in the Second Round of the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 8, 2018 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 08: Tarin Smith #3 of the Duquesne Dukes dribbles past Khwan Fore #2 of the Richmond Spiders during the first half in the Second Round of the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 8, 2018 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Point Guard

Minutes Allocated (40 total): Alterique Gilbert (26) and Tarin Smith (14)

In some ways, UConn gets two new point guards for this season, with Gilbert (hopefully) finally healthy. The former four-star recruit has played just nine total games in two seasons dealing with shoulder injuries. Even though there isn’t much of a sample size but he’s already shown that he can score in double-figures offensively and can run the offense. Now he’ll just have to remain healthy to prove it.

The reality is for Coach Hurley is that Gilbert can’t be trusted to play for large amounts of a season. And with Anderson gone another solid ball handler needed to be added. That’s where Smith comes in, a grad transfer from Duquesne.

Although the 6’2 guard went back to the bench his junior season, his minutes remained the same. But his overall production improved, going for 12.4 ppg and 3.2 apg on 33% shooting from deep. Smith has starter’s experience but can handle being the sixth man as well, giving an added insurance for UConn.

The Huskies only has one recruit for the 2018 class, being Brendan Adams. He’s a three-star point guard who followed Hurley to UConn and looks to be the future of the program. It’s hard to find minutes for the younger brother of former St. Bonaventure guard Jaylen Adams with the veteran backcourt players coming around, so it might be safe to say that a redshirt is coming. However, Gilbert’s questionable health may make it so that he has to play, although the minutes will be limited.