Big East Basketball: 3 bold predictions for 2020-21 season

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 18: Akok Akok #23 and Brendan Adams #10 of the Connecticut Huskies (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

2. UCONN will receive an at-large bid

A10-8 AAC record that included a four-point, double-overtime defeat at the hands of Temple and a non-conference loss to Saint Joseph’s did not have the Connecticut Huskies in position to make the NCAA Tournament. The 2020-21 season will be different for the Huskies, and for no reason more than they will not have to travel to Memphis, Tulsa, and South Methodist while playing Cincinnati at home over an eleven-day stretch.

The reduced travel schedule will only benefit last season’s top offense in the AAC, as they move to the Big East. With Howard transfer RJ Cole (22.5 ppg, 6.2 apg) now eligible to run the point as Alterique Gilbert departs, the best offense in the AAC will quickly become the second highest-scoring offense in the Big East behind Creighton.

Coach Dan Hurley will be able to go ten deep if he so chooses while playing the matchups, especially in the frontcourt. At 6’9, Tyler Polley ( 9.5 ppg) can score, but early indications point to him backing up Akok Akok. Centers Isaiah Whaley (6 ppg) and Josh Carlton ( 7.8 ppg) will be able to contribute on both ends of the floor.

Joining Cole in the backcourt as well as joining him in scoring responsibility will be returning starter James Bouknight (13ppg) as well as freshman Andre Jackson. Thanks to: Jalen Gaffney (3.9 ppg), Brendan Adams (7.4 ppg), and Tyrese Martin coming off the bench, the starters will be able to rest in order to keep the pace of play up, at least a couple weeks into March.

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