NCAA Basketball: Biggest x-factor for each top-25 team for 2022-23 season

24. UConn Huskies – Andre Jackson

There are two key elements of UConn’s roster this offseason. The first is the return of All-Big East center Adama Sanogo to lead the way, while four transfers make up the new perimeter for this season. One area that wasn’t addressed much is power forward, now that Isaiah Whaley and Tyler Polley are gone. There’s a great chance that the Huskies will go small-ball, with 6’6 guard Andre Jackson the most likely candidate.

As a sophomore, Jackson averaged 6.8 ppg 6.8 rpg, and 3.1 apg on 37% shooting from three-point range while starting 32 games. He was the ultimate swiss-army knife for UConn and will have to fill in at the four-spot. Despite being undersized, Jackson proved that he can defend and rebound at a high level. And his passing ability takes pressure off of projected starting point guard, ECU transfer Tristen Newton. If his scoring numbers improved, Jackson could be an all-conference player.

23. Florida Gators – Alex Fudge

The Gators are another team without a clear candidate to play at power forward next to star center Colin Castleton. One player that makes sense is Alex Fudge, a former top-50 prospect that comes over from LSU. He only averaged a few points and rebounds in 10 mpg but the frontcourt depth was pretty good to be fair.

Fudge joins a new-look offense under first-year head coach Todd Golden and at 6’8 and has the ability to play on the perimeter, could be the perfect player to play a 4-out offense. While Belmont transfer Will Richard has been viewed as the breakout player to watch from this offseason, Fudge should be right up there with him.