NCAA Basketball: Biggest takeaways from 2018 2K Classic

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Head coach Fran McCaffery of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts in the first half against the Villanova Wildcats during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 20, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

4 of 5

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Jalen Adams #4 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts to a call in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the championship game of the 2K Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

UConn Huskies (2nd place)

Biggest takeaway: Emergence of Eric Cobb

The non-competitive loss to Iowa will sting a bit but UConn may have had the most encouraging individual sign from this event. One that may ultimately be the difference between a return to the NCAA Tournament or the NIT.

Last season the Huskies finished under .500 with the frontcourt production being a big part of it. They employed a number of guys at the four and five spots but there was never any consistency worth noting. Up until the 2K Classic, there were similar concerns before one big man stepped up in a big way.

Junior forward Eric Cobb started a few games last season but never got extended playing time. This season he’s been a key bench player, averaging around 20 mpg. And with more playing time has created the production the Huskies have been waiting for.

Cobb had a double-double (13 points and 13 rebounds) in the semifinals game against Syracuse and was the most effective player for UConn versus Oregon, going for 16 points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes played. With Jalen Adams and a healthy Alterique Gilbert, the backcourt is set for the Huskies. And with Cobb starting to emerge in the frontcourt, the balance is there for them to take it to the next level in the AAC. Look for Cobb to start going forward with more minutes being added.

Home/Iowa Hawkeyes