UConn Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Huskies

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies is ejected from the game 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) /

2 of 5

UConn Basketball James Bouknight (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Starters

RJ Cole

Perhaps the least-talked about piece for UConn this season will be RJ Cole as he is finally eligible. The Howard University transfer joined the Huskies last season but was forced to sit a year per the NCAA and their transfer rules. RJ Cole averaged 22.5 points per game in two seasons with the Bison.

He’ll step right in for the Huskies at point guard, the former MEAC Player of the Year has had another year to develop his game and is poised to be the next great UConn point guard in a long line of them. Cole is extremely well rounded and will help to make a dynamic backcourt duo with star sophomore James Bouknight.

James Bouknight

Bouknight was tabbed to the Preseason Big East Second Team, that’s a snub in my opinion. Bouknight had a fantastic freshman campaign and will look to build on his success, he’ll be part of the backbone for this Huskies team this season. The high flying sophomore has already caught the attention of many NBA scouts as it’s widely believed he’ll be entering the NBA draft at the conclusion of this season.

At 13 points per game last season Bouknight tore it up down the stretch, he’s primed for a big sophomore jump and I won’t be surprised to hear his name being thrown for an All-American team come the end of the season.

Andre Jackson?

People have been raving about star freshman Andre Jackson and his game, he’s taken Storrs by storm and may find himself in a position to start. Regardless he’ll be a big contributor, Jackson has a great all-around game and should be regarded as a potential one and done.

The reason for the question mark is Dan Hurley doesn’t really have a history of starting freshman out of the gate, it didn’t happen with Bouknight (different circumstances, I know) but regardless, Jackson will be apart of the rotation from the start.

Tyler Polley

Polley was a big part of the Huskies team last season before tearing his ACL and it seems that he’ll be ready in time for the start of the season. The senior will provide valuable experience and should stretch the floor well. Polley was a 40% three-point shooter last season at 6-9. With 57 starts in his Husky career, he should slot right back into the lineup at that four-spot. They’ll need Polley to knock down his shots outside to allow guys like Bouknight and Cole to get to the rim.

Isaiah Whaley

Some might say Carlton but Whaley started in his place down the stretch and with the production he had it will probably be Whaley. In his six starts to end the season Whaley averaged 13.8 points and almost 9 rebounds per game with 2.5 blocks per game.

UConn has a number of great shot blockers down low but Hurley will need the tenacious rebounding and guys willing to do the dirt work. I kind of think we’ll see a number of different bigs start this season at some point but I’m rolling with Whaley to start.