NCAA Basketball: Buy or Sell preseason top 25 teams of 2021-22 after a month
24. UConn Huskies
There was some doubt as to whether or not the Huskies would be able to consistently score with NBA lottery draft pick James Bouknight. RJ Cole was good as a complementary player last year but has taken a big step so far, leading the team with 16.0 ppg and 4.2 apg.
Cole has had plenty of help, including dominant big man Adama Sanogo (15.6 ppg and 6.3 apg). The sophomore center has been the breakout star the team hoped for and is currently the best frontcourt player in the Big East. But there’s plenty of depth among the other forwards, with Tyler Polley, Isaiah Whaley, and Akok Akok all playing big roles.
UConn is currently averaging 82 ppg, good for top-20 in the country. And that was the biggest concern I had with them to begin with. And although they’ve dealt with some injuries in the past week, this team continues to win, beating St. Bonaventure this past weekend without Sanogo.
The Huskies’ only losses on the season are to Michigan State and West Virginia away from home, with wins over the Bonnies, VCU, and Auburn. This is a team that is not only a definite top 20 squad but one that can push Villanova for the regular-season title in the Big East.