NCAA Basketball: UConn, Indiana, Texas and Louisville takeaways from 2023 Empire Classic

1st place – UConn Huskies

Positive takeaway: Huskies can repeat without Clingan being an All-American

After losing so much talent this offseason, the hope for UConn remaining a Final Four contender was supposed to come down to how big of a sophomore leap 7’2 center Donovan Clingan would take. After dealing with a foot injury a month before the season, he’s been good but not great, including scoring a combined 14 points in two games.

But just like last year, everyone else has stepped up. In the blowout win over Indiana, Tristen Newton went for 23 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, while Cam Spencer had 18 points. And in the win over Texas, Alex Karaban had 20 points, while forward Samson Johnson went for 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench. With so many quality pieces, the Huskies once again have a case for being one of the best in NCAA Basketball.

Negative takeaway: Shooting a concern outside of Spencer and Karaban

The Huskies were a fairly good shooting team a year ago, thanks to having 40%+ three-point shooters such as Jordan Hawkins. He’s gone and while Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer has been very good so far, there has been a concern about how UConn can score from deep if both of the key shooters have off-games.

In the two games of the Empire Classic, UConn went a combined 14/46 from deep, good for 30%. Considering that this is the “flaw” I could fine, it’s a testament to how strong the Big East program is in the other main facets of the game. But one off-shooting night could send them home in March so finding another sharp-shooter on the roster will do them good.