NCAA Basketball: Ranking of top 25 team frontcourts for 2023-24 season

5. UConn Huskies

There were several reasons as to why UConn was able to win a national title last season. A good case can be made that it was the stellar center duo of Adama Sanogo and Donovan Clingan. But one of them is gone, as Sanogo went pro in the offense. He led the Huskies with 17.2 ppg and 7.7 rpg and had 17 points and 10 rebounds in the title-game win over San Diego State.

Yet there are some who think that Clingan could end up even better than Sanogo. The 7’2 freshman center was extremely effective in his first year, averaging 6.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 1.8 bpg in just 13 mpg. So imagine what that can look like if Clingan gets around 30 mpg?

Another returning player who happens to fly under the radar is Alex Karaban. The 6’8 forward started all of last season, averaging 9.3 ppg and 4.5 rpg, all while shooting 40% from three-point range. Even if Clingan has his own breakout campaign, look for Karaban to have a large role in the offense and not just be a spot-up shooter.

With Samson Johnson back and the potential of four-star freshmen Youssouf Singare and Jaylin Stewart, there’s plenty of depth inside to keep UConn back in the Final Four and Big East title hunt. All eyes will be on Clingan and his development but watch out for the young supporting cast as well.