UConn Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2021-22 season

Small forward

Starter: Tyrese Martin

Another obvious starter? Tyrese Martin started all but one game last season for the Huskies, averaging 30.1 MPG and 10.3 PPG. Martin is also a tremendous rebounder, leading the team with 7.5 RPG last season. However, Martin was inconsistent at times scoring as many as 22 points against DePaul and 0 points on just three FGA against Seton Hall, despite playing 31 minutes.

Part of these ebbs and flows can be explained by Bouknight being in and out with injury and Martin adapting to an ever-changing role. This season, look for him to be more consistent with improved finishing around the rim.

Bench: Tyler Polley, Andre Jackson, Jordan Hawkins

Tyler Polley does not exactly profile as a small forward at the collegiate level, but he does at the next level. He spent much more time (36% of his playing time) as a power forward last season and just 8% as a small forward. However, this team is so deep in the frontcourt that I’m not sure how often we will see Polley at the 4 unless Hurley decides to go small.

Either way, Polley is the reigning Big East Sixth Man of the Year and UConn’s best 3-point shooter. In four years, he is shooting 38.1% from deep. Keep in mind, Polley was fresh off an ACL injury and any dip in his production can likely be attributed to that. Polley will need to be more aggressive and improve his defense and rebounding to stay on the court this season.

Hurley emphasized that if Polley opted to come back for a fifth and final season, he should only do so if he thought he could improve his stock professionally. I expect we will see a different, more confident, and more aggressive Tyler Polley this season with a better all-around game.