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UConn Basketball: 2022-23 season preview for Huskies

By Connor Wilson

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 11: Jordan Hawkins #24 of the Connecticut Huskies dribbles the ball against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at Prudential Center on December 11, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Porter Binks)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 11: Jordan Hawkins #24 of the Connecticut Huskies dribbles the ball against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at Prudential Center on December 11, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Porter Binks) /
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Tristen Newton #2 of the East Carolina Pirates (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Tristen Newton #2 of the East Carolina Pirates (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Potential starting lineup for UConn

Point Guard – Tristen Newton

Arguably the biggest transfer pickup this year for the Huskies, Newton is coming off of a stellar season for East Carolina in the AAC. The former Pirate averaged 17.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 5.0 APG while being named second-team all-conference. The incoming senior is expected to do the bulk of the ball handling for Coach Hurley.

Listed at 6’5”, he is the “big guard” that he was looking for and is a great perimeter defender. He also is coming off of a career year from the field, shooting 44% from the field and 33% from downtown on pretty high volume. If Newton can successfully set the tempo for the Huskies, he has the ability to be an All-Big East player come March.

Shooting Guard – Nahiem Alleyne

Another transfer brought in to help bolster the backcourt, Alleyne comes to Storrs for his senior season after spending the past three years at Virginia Tech. The 6’4” guard is best known for his ability to light it up from three. During his time in Blacksburg, Alleyne had a career 39% three-point percentage and hit 153 total threes.

Last year, there were times when the Huskies really struggled to shoot the basketball and lost arguably their top three shooters in Cole, Martin, and Polley. Adding Alleyne into the fold plugs a big hole and provides tournament experience to the squad.

Small Forward – Jordan Hawkins

Perhaps the player with the highest potential not only on the Huskies, but the entire Big East, Hawkins is taking the wheel as the go-to wing for Coach Hurley. Last year, he averaged 5.8 PPG in under 15 MPG mostly off the bench, but he will have a much larger role this year. He has the ability to spark the offense in the blink of an eye (Throwback to his 16 points in 15 minutes in the Bahamas against Auburn). Hawkins is now a legit 6’6” and has a chance to be a first-round pick, maybe even a lottery pick, if he reaches his full potential.

Point forward – Andre Jackson

I know that point forward isn’t a prototypical position, but it perfectly describes what Jackson is. The incoming junior just stuffs the stat sheet every night, doing all of the little things and things that don’t quite show up in the box score. As a starter last year, he averaged 6.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 3.1 APG. He is expected to be the secondary ballhandler in the starting lineup behind Newton and will also guard the opponent’s top scorer most nights.

The only true flaw in his game is his ability to shoot the basketball, as he although he shot 36% from three last year, he attempted fewer than two per game. If Jackson can consistently hit the triple, his potential is through the roof.

Center – Adama Sanogo

Last year’s leading scorer, Sanogo is likely going to be the focal point of the offense once again for the Hurley. After being named to the Big East First Team, he is arguably one of the front runners for the Player of the Year this season. He really improved on his rebounding from year one to year two and took over a few games on the glass.

With Whaley having graduated, Sanogo is likely going to be the only true big man in the starting lineup for the Huskies. If he improves on his efficiency and keeps up the rebounding and shot-blocking from a year ago, it’s not crazy to say an All-American appearance is in his future.