UConn Basketball: 3 key storylines heading into 2020-21 season

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 18: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies helps up Jalen Gaffney #0 during a college basketball game against the Villanova Wildcats at Wells Fargo Center on January 18, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 10: Tyler Polley #12 of the Connecticut Huskies (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

3. How will UConn Basketball’s Frontcourt look?

Before we get to the new guys on the scene, let’s see what UConn has in their frontcourt currently. Josh Carlton was a senior last year and averaged 7.8 PPG, while starting every game for the Huskies. I’d expect him in a similar role last year.

For the majority of the season, Akok Akok was the other starting as the freshman averaged 5.8 PPG. However, a torn Achilles ended his season and will put the 2020-21 season in question for him. If he’s unavailable, there’s a chance Isaiah Whaley fills in like he did last season. The rising senior averaged 6 PPG and 5 RPG with a stunning 21.3 PER.

Another player who was injured and is returning is Tyler Polley. A knee injury ended the junior forward’s season as he averaged 9.5 PPG, and 40.5% from three-point range. His shooting will be critical if he’s available.

And if you thought that there weren’t enough bodies already, UConn will be adding two more via the recruiting trail. The fairly recent commit is Adama Sanogo, as the four-star center from New Jersey committed to UConn over fellow Big East rivals Seton Hall. With Vital’s 6.3 RPG leaving next season, and defensive rebounding being a problem (221st in the NCAA last season), Sanogo’s athleticism and rebounding ability could earn him valuable minutes next year.

The other recruit if four-star wing Andre Jackson. Jackson is very similar to Akok Akok as he’s a slasher, but not a great outside shooter. If Akok is still out come the start of the season, I’d expect Jackson to have a big role.

How will Hurley sort this out? With two recruits and two returning healthy players, the Huskies already have four guys that they expect to play a big role. Polley is recovering from a torn ACL, and it appears his timeline has him on schedule to return. Therefore, you can throw five guys in the mix with Akok Akok being the main question. Overall, the main question is who gets the majority of playing time and how Hurley divides the minutes.

Now that we’ve talked about most of UConn’s key storylines, let’s get to some predictions on how they’ll play next year.