Busting Brackets
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UConn Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Huskies

By Brian Rauf

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)
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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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) /

Key reserves

Tarin Smith 
The Duquesne grad transfer has experience both starting and coming off the bench in his collegiate career and was actually utilized in a bench role by the Dukes a year ago. He was great in the sixth man role (12.4 ppg, 3.2 apg) and should be again for the Huskies. Smith also provides a good insurance policy at point should Gilbert suffer another injury.

Kassoum Yakwe
Yakwe is another grad transfer UConn brought in, and the former St. John’s big man saw his minutes decrease as his time with the Red Storm wore on. However, he has a good deal of starting experience and should be UConn’s best shot-blocker, as he averages 1.8 per game for his career.

Sidney Wilson
Another player who originally committed to St. John’s, Wilson was forced to redshirt a year ago because he took summer classes before opting to transfer. He’s a true wing player at 6-6, and his length and quickness give him the kind of defensive potential and versatility Hurley likes to utilize.

Mamadou Diarra
Diarra is still a raw player who is in the early stages of his development as a basketball player, but he provided a lot of energy as a rebounder and shot-blocker in 10 minutes per game last year. Expect his role to be the same.

Eric Cobb 
Cobb is a senior who will simply stabilize UConn’s young frontcourt rotation with his experience. He’s not skilled enough to take any significant minutes away from anyone but is a big body at 6-9 and 280 pounds, which can be utilized in the right matchup.

Tyler Polley
Polley showed his potential as a stretch four man last season as he shot 41.7 percent from three-point range. That will be his role off the bench, but he needs to get stronger on the glass and play more consistent defense.

Kwintin Williams
Williams only played spot minutes last year and appeared in 18 games, and his role will likely be similar this year due to the amount of depth Hurley is expected to utilize. The athletic 6-7, 211-pounder’s size and versatility allow him to make an impact on the glass, which is his biggest strength.