UConn Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Huskies

By Brian Rauf | Sep 24, 2018

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 17: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Rhode Island Rams reacts against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

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TUCSON, AZ – DECEMBER 21: Christian Vital #1 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts alongside Josh Carlton #25 and Antwoine Anderson #0 during the first half of the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 21, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Huskies 73-58. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Starting lineup

Alterique Gilbert
Gilbert has struggled with injuries more than anyone else on the team, as shoulder problems have limited him to just nine games in two seasons in Storrs. When healthy, he shows flashes of why he was such a highly-rated recruit. He’s a talented scorer who can also run the offense effectively and create for others. Gilbert has the ability to take UConn to another level if he can stay on the court.

Christian Vital
For a team that struggled offensively as much as UConn did a year ago (171st in adjusted offensive efficiency), having a player like Vital in the lineup is a must, as he averaged 14.9 points per game. However, UConn is also expected to play small given the rash number of guards on the roster, and the fact that he averaged a team-high 5.2 rebounds per game is only more reason to have him on the field. Vital needs to become more efficient – he shot just 38 percent and had more turnovers than assists – but his skill set will earn him plenty of playing time.

Jalen Adams
Adams led UConn with 18.1 points and 4.7 assists per game last year and figures to be the focal point of their attack again. He started at point guard following Gilbert’s injury and will likely see a good amount of time at the position again, but if Gilbert’s healthy, it will allow Adams to spend more time off the ball and focus more on scoring rather than facilitating. If that happens, he could become one of the nation’s leading scorers.

Isaiah Whaley
Whaley showed flashes of potential during his freshman season, and while we project him to be in the starting lineup, he’s not going to log heavy minutes. That said, there will definitely be a sizable role for the 6-8, 190-pounder thanks to his height and versatility.

Josh Carlton
Carlton solidified himself as UConn’s best big man a year ago and he’s only expected to improve entering his sophomore season. He has good size at 6-9 and 242 pounds, and that size allows him to be a very good interior defender. If Carlton can expand his offensive game, he’ll see an even more significant chunk of minutes.