Anticipation for the UConn men’s basketball team’s 2023-24 season is as high as its been in years, perhaps since the halcyon days of the late-1990s/early 2000s.
Predictably, big things are expected again from this year’s Huskies. And big things could happen. But it won’t be easy. UConn lost three huge pieces to last year’s puzzle — two to the NBA Draft (lottery pick Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson Jr.) and the third (Adama Sanogo) simply the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
And that’s not even including Joey California.
There are questions to be answered as the Huskies embark on their road to a repeat championship. Here are five key storylines to keep an eye on:
The Replacements
The Huskies lost 57-percent of their scoring from last year’s team, including their two leading scorers (Hawkins and Sanogo) who combined for 43-percent (33.4 points per game) of the team’s points. No one can quite emulate Hawkins’ eye-opening skill of racing off screens, quickly firing up 3-pointers and hitting them at an impressive (38.8 percent) rate. And Joey Calcaterra’s team-best 44.6-percent 3-point shooting will be dearly missed, as well.
But a combination of Alex Karaban (40.2 percent as a freshman), Tristen Newton (36.6 percent) and Rutgers grad transfer Cam Stewart (43.4 percent), along with the addition of freshmen shooters like Solo Ball, Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart, should keep the Huskies as a serious threat from 3. Heck, Clingan is expected to shoot from distance this season, and he’s got good form.
Connecticut forward Alex Karaban (11) celebrates with Tristen Newton after a three pointer at the halftime buzzer of a NCAA Tournament national semifinal game against Miami at NRG Stadium on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Houston.
Karen Warren/Staff photographerSpeaking of Clingan, he may not quite replace Sanogo’s scoring (17.3 ppg) and low-post brilliance on offense, but he’ll more than make up for the difference on defense. The big Bristolian averaged nearly two blocks per game despite only playing 13 minutes per contest as a frosh. Defense was never truly Sanogo’s forte.
Perhaps the most irreplaceable player will be Jackson Jr. His stats (6.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists) are dispensable. His hustle, character and, perhaps most important, leadership are intangible traits that aren’t easily replaced. He was a truly unique player.
UConn will have to find players to emerge as leaders. Hurley has mentioned Karaban, Newton and Clingan as candidates. Hassan Diarra has some of Jackson’s qualities, but may not have the playing time. Spencer is a newcomer who may need some time before his voice is heard.
Kling Kong
In some ways, Clingan is one of the surest bets the Huskies have returning. His dominance as a freshman as Sanogo’s back-up can’t be understated. Clingan probably could have been a starting, all-conference center on most of the country’s Power Six programs. Instead, he played just 13 minutes per game and was perfectly content with his role.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 03: Donovan Clingan #32 of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs 76-59 during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at NRG Stadium on April 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesNow, the big guy moves up front and center. His minutes will double, and in theory, so will his statistics. He needs to avoid foul trouble, and also convert his free throws better when fouled. Hurley has said Clingan’s conditioning isn’t a worry, though a foot strain that will sideline him for about a month could be a concern.
Everyone around the program and Clingan believe he’ll be ready to go for the season-opener on Nov. 6. That is great news for the Huskies. Still, foot issues for a 7-2, 280-pound player need to be monitored.
The Five Freshmen
UConn will need contributions from its “Fab Five” recruiting class of Stephon Castle, Solo Ball, Jaylin Stewart, Jayden Ross and Youssouf Singare.
Castle is a McDonald’s All-American who is projected as a 2024 NBA lottery pick. The 6-6 guard will almost certainly start right off the bat and be expected to contribute in a big way.
Singare is a somewhat raw, 6-10 center who will be behind Clingan and Samson Johnson on the depth chart and isn’t likely to be a big contributor this season.
In between is the trio of Ball, Stewart and Ross. Ball is a top-50 recruit who is tough and athletic. Hurley has praised his shooting in preseason scrimmages, and the 6-3 guard could be a big help as a two-guard. Stewart is a somewhat old-school, versatile, 6-7 forward who can also shoot, as well as rebound and distribute. Ross, the least-ballyhooed recruit of the three, has garnered perhaps the most preseason praise from the coaching staff. He’s a bouncy, 6-7 bundle of energy who has also shot much better than expected in the preseason.
UConn needs at least one, if not two, of Ball, Stewart and Ross to be significant contributors this season. All three would be a huge bonus.
Samson’s strength
It’s not a stretch to say the biggest key to UConn’s success this season is Samson Johnson. The lengthy, 6-10 junior is expected to back up Clingan at center and Karaban at power forward. The Huskies don’t have a lot of size depth, with Singare possibly not quite ready for prime time, so Johnson could be a vital cog, especially if Clingan gets into foul trouble or is injured.
Connecticut’s Samson Johnson against Long Island’s at the University of Connecticut Wednesday Nov. 17, 2021, in Storrs, Conn.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Paul Connors / APJohnson was green and a bit over his head as a freshman, and had his sophomore season derailed by a foot injury. But Hurley has never backed off his belief that Johnson has lottery-pick potential, and the early returns this summer were impressive.
Under pressure
No men’s team has repeated as champion since Billy Donovan’s Florida squads of 2006-07. Before that, you have to go back to Coach K’s 1991-92 Duke teams. Both coaches told Hearst Connecticut Media how difficult it is to repeat.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 03: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates with the trophy after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship at NRG Stadium on April 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty ImagesUConn has always had a target on its back, but that will be amplified even more this season. The non-conference schedule is brutal, and the Big East may be the best conference in the country. The Huskies were extremely fortunate with health last season. Can that continue?
So many questions. So much fun to find out if Hurley & Co. have the answers.
