Memphis Makes Splash; Where Do Huskies Fit in AAC?
The Story: Memphis, under former NBA star Penny Hardaway, has become the marquee team in the AAC without winning a game. Memphis has the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class and solidified itself as the team to watch in the AAC this past weekend when it added Precious Achiuwa to the fold. Achiuwa was a UConn target for more than a year and was once in an excellent position to sign with the Huskies, but the momentum Hardaway and Memphis have gained has made waves throughout NCAA hoops.
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE UCONN? Having any type of team that is expected to be a Final Four contender is good for UConn and the AAC. Things don’t really change for the Huskies, though a player of Achiuwa’s caliber (he’s projected as a lottery pick in 2020) would surely have accelerated Dan Hurley‘s rebuild. Right now, Hurley is looking to build for the long haul, and while Memphis has monster talent, it’s temporary. Achiuwa and James Wiseman, the No. 1 player in the class, already have one foot out the door as they look like sure one-and-done players. Still, the Tigers are formidable and are the hottest program in the nation right now.
HUSKIES CAN RECRUIT: The Huskies have a top-20 recruiting class coming in next year with guards Jalen Gaffney and James Bouknight and the redshirted Akok Akok. That is a nice recruiting base, and with the addition of R.J. Cole, one of the top transfers available this offseason, the Huskies remain a place for top recruits to play.
Cole is the first domino to fall for 2020 and should help Hurley focus on bigs and wing players next year. The Huskies have been in the mix for top 40 players despite the disaster of the Kevin Ollie firing and the lack of visibility in the AAC. UConn has the No. 2-ranked class in the AAC despite the missing on the late impact recruits, such as Achiuwa, who were still available. The Huskies are also still in the market for a player, despite not having any scholarships available. The semester ended last week and there could be a late addition if a player decides to transfer, per Hearst Connecticut Media.
CATCHING UP WITH HURLEY: The UConn Coaches Road Show begins this week and it was nice for WFSB to take five minutes away from talking about tolls to interview someone we really want to hear from in Hurley. The coach talked about his first season and his goals and thinks the Huskies would have made the NIT (at least) if they didn’t suffer a string of injuries. The postseason remains the goal next season, though we have our sights set a little higher for the team next year and want (need!) an NCAA tournament bid.
Bueckers Makes USA U-19 Team
The Story: Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2020, was named to the U-19 Women’s World Cup team, which will play in Bangkok from July 20-28.
HIGH SCHOOL SAVANT: Bueckers, a 5-foot-11 point guard from Eden Prarie, Minnesota, is a high school junior and was selected from a pool of current high school seniors and college freshmen. (For example, UConn freshman-to-be Aubrey Griffin did not make the team.) This is the third year in a row Bueckers will be playing for USA Basketball. She played on the U-17 team last year and averaged 9.7 points per game as a 16-year old.
WALZ COACHING: Louisville coach Jeff Walz will coach the team. Five of the players on the team played college basketball this past season including Queen Egbo and NaLyssa Smith of national champion Baylor. Among high school players, Bueckers and Stanford commits Cameron Brink and Hailey Van Lith made the team.
Morning Reads
GAFFNEY BUZZER BEATER: Jalen Gaffney made sure his final days as a non-UConn player were fruitful as he hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to win the Nike Spring Basketball championship this weekend. (New Jersey Hoop Recruit on Instagram)
WOMEN EXTEND SERIES WITH SC: UConn extended its series with South Carolina, with the teams slated to play in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. (Journal Inquirer)
KICKING OFF POSTSEASON BASEBALL: UConn opens AAC tournament play this morning in Florida as it faces No. 5 seed Houston at 9 a.m. The Huskies are the No. 4 seed, and at No. 28 in the RPI, they are on the bubble for an NCAA tournament bid. Going deep in the AAC tournament could get the Huskies there. (UConnHuskies.com)
SIX EARN ALL-AAC HONORS: Six baseball players were named to the all-AAC teams yesterday with junior Mason Feole, shortstop Anthony Prato and pitcher Jake Wallace earning first-team honors. (UConnHuskies.com)
TUNSTALL HEADS TO STONY BROOK: Former UConn offensive lineman James Tunstall, who announced his intention to transfer last month, has landed at Stony Brook. (James Tunstall on Twitter)
