UConn Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Huskies

2021-22 season outlook for UConn Basketball

UConn was picked to finish 2nd in the Big East coaches’ poll while receiving one first-place vote from Jay Wright. Why is he so nice? It’s hard to not like him. For what it’s worth, I also have UConn finishing 2nd in my preseason rankings, but the Huskies do have some questions to answer on the offensive end.

Perhaps this is why no one was selected to the Big East’s preseason all-conference first team, a bit weird for the team projected to finish 2nd, but I guess this is a testament to the experience, talent, and depth of the team. Plus, preseason awards don’t mean much.

Like the Big East coaches and myself, KenPom and Bart Torvik are projecting the Huskies to finish 2nd in the league behind Villanova. KenPom has UConn finishing with a projected record of 20-9 (13-7). The Huskies haven’t had a 20-win year since… you guessed it, 2016.

Dan Hurley has used Villanova as the model team for his players to idolize but also despise as they seek to knock the Wildcats off their pedestal. The Huskies are loaded with talent, and some might argue have the most depth and talent of any team in the Big East.

However, it will be interesting to see how Hurley manages his substitutions and lineups as this has been something he has struggled with at times in his first few seasons at the helm. He will have the ability to ride the hot hand this season so the closing lineups could differ from game to game. Sometimes that is hard for a coach to accept, but having options is never a bad thing.

As always with Hurley-coached teams, this UConn team should have a dominant defense that can help keep them in games even if they are struggling offensively. I know coaches say this all the time, but this team truly needs to get out in transition and play fast. The half-court offense is not always a pretty sight to see and I’m hoping new assistant coach Luke Murray will help improve the offensive sets, but I doubt one offseason is enough time to see too much on the offensive end yet.

Overall, this team has the size, experience, talent, and depth to make a push for a Big East title. I don’t think they’re quite ready to knock Nova out yet, but anything less than a top 4 finish would be a letdown. Hurley has gotten UConn back to the NCAA tournament the next step is advancing with a couple wins.

I don’t think a Sweet Sixteen appearance is beyond the realm of possibility here, but that may be the team’s ceiling depending on who emerges on the offensive end. You never know though; this team will be elite defensively and I’ve been told that defense wins championships.