UConn Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Huskies
Projected bench for UConn Basketball
Forward – Tyler Polley (Graduate Student)
Reigning Big East Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Polley opted to come back to UConn for a 5th and final season. This was huge news for a team that has some question marks on the offensive end, particularly around outside shooting. Polley had an up and down year last season after returning from a torn ACL and still managed to win Sixth Man of the Year.
Known for his beautiful outside shot, Polley is a career 38.1% shooter from deep, but Hurley has repeatedly said that he wants to see Polley become more of an all-around contributor. The frontcourt is deep and Polley’s shot may not be enough to keep his minutes. Look for Polley to be more aggressive on defense, especially on the glass this season.
Guard – Jalen Gaffney (Junior)
I think Jalen Gaffney is going to surprise people and have a breakout year. He may even be the starting two-guard. Sometimes players take a bit to adjust to the college game and I think we will see a more confident Gaffney this season. He has the size, strength, and athleticism to be a great guard, but hasn’t put together a complete season yet. He will need to play more consistently, but UConn is a little short on depth when it comes to ball handlers so Gaffney will be on the floor often.
He has shown ability in flashes, scoring a career-high 20 last year against Seton Hall, but also had games where he barely impacted the stat sheet. The ebbs and flows are part of the game, but Gaffney may be best suited to play off the ball this year next to Cole. I think we will see that reflected on the court this season with a more confident and consistent Gaffney.
Forward – Akok Akok (Redshirt Junior)
People seem to forget that Akok Akok was at one time a 5-star recruit and often looked like one of the best players on the floor his freshman season. He went down with a devastating Achille’s injury and essentially needed all of last year to recover. However, he has looked great in practice.
His timing is back on defense and he and Whaley will be one of the elite shot-blocking duos in the country. His confidence is also back on offense. Akok can stretch the floor and is always looking for his shot from outside. If he can become a consistent threat from deep it will be hard for Hurley to keep him on the bench.
Guard – Jordan Hawkins (Freshman)
Jordan Hawkins is perhaps the most skilled and college-ready player in UConn’s freshmen class. Hawkins won a plethora of high school awards and put up impressive numbers at powerhouse DeMatha High. He is a smooth scorer and if any freshman is to see the floor this year it will be Hawkins.
It’s hard to say this about someone who has yet to log a single minute of college basketball, especially on a top 25 team, but Hawkins is perhaps the most skilled all-around offensive player on the team. Only his defense can keep him off the court. As Hurley likes to say, he has “wall potential”.
Forward – Samson Johnson (Freshman)
Speaking of wall potential, freshman Samson Johnson shot up the rankings over the course of his senior season. Johnson reminds me of a lankier Akok Akok if that is possible. It will be tough for him to find minutes in a crowded frontcourt, but Johnson is a menace on defense and a nightmare mismatch on offense.
The 6-10 forward has decent ball-handling skills and can shoot it from beyond the arc. If Hurley wants to, he can consistently roll out lineups with two shot-blocking forwards by mixing and matching Whaley, Akok, and Johnson.
Forward – Richie Springs (Redshirt Sophomore)
Last but not least is Richie Springs. Springs has been a bit of a project big for Hurley, but I think this is the year he starts to see the floor. Hurley has constantly praised Springs for his work ethic and his acceptance and understanding of the process. Springs reclassified to join UConn early and has worked his tail off against bigger, stronger, and more talented bigs on the UConn roster.
All that hard work is going to pay off though. He is one of the better rebounders on the team and has worked to improve his shooting. If Springs can put things together this season, that adds another scary dimension to UConn’s frontcourt.
I’m not forgetting about freshmen Rahsool Diggins and Corey “Rambo” Floyd Jr. either. I just think the team is so talented and deep that this will be more of a developmental year for these guards. Diggins has been hurt for much of the preseason practice time and Rambo is just 17 years old. They are the future backcourt of the Huskies.