Talented UConn Roster Still in Flux

The Story: While the UConn men have already been installed as favorites to repeat as national champions, it’s still anyone’s guess how the Huskies might look next season.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Dan Hurley‘s squad could look very similar to how it did this season, when it won its fifth national title, or it could look entirely new depending on several decisions that must be made.

• Here is a chart that shows UConn’s roster projections over the next three seasons and illustrates some of the questions that still need to be answered. Only scholarship athletes are included (click image to enlarge):

TOO MANY PLAYERS: UConn has 16 players for 13 scholarship spots next season. How did that happen? Tristen Newton and Nahiem Alleyne still have an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 and can opt to return for one more season, forego their final year or transfer to another school.

• Even if Newton and Alleyne decide to leave, UConn would still be one player over the max.

KEY DEADLINES: Two deadlines will help determine how the Huskies get down to the 13-scholarship limit:

• April 23: Deadline to declare for the NBA Draft. Jordan Hawkins has already decided to leave for the NBA. Andre Jackson and Adama Sanogo could follow, although neither player has shared his decision.

• ESPN’s latest mock draft has Hawkins being selected at No. 11, Jackson being picked at No. 30, and Sanogo going undrafted.

• Jackson and Sanogo, who have two years of eligibility remaining, could decide to stay at UConn to fine-tune some aspects of their game — for instance, outside shooting — that would hopefully improve their NBA stock and then enter the draft process next year.

• May 11: Deadline to enter the transfer portal. UConn picked up four important players via the portal last season — Newton, Alleyne, Joey Calcaterra and Hassan Diarra.

• This time, the Huskies are more likely to lose a player or two due to the scholarship limit and the addition of an exceptionally strong freshman class.

BACKED-UP BACKCOURT: The strength of UConn’s stellar incoming class, ranked sixth in the country, is the backcourt, with point guard Stephon Castle and shooting guard Solomon Ball.

• The Huskies could have a logjam, especially if Newton and Jackson decide to remain in Storrs. Then they would have Castle and Ball vying for minutes off the bench along with Alleyne and Diarra.

• While it’s a nice problem to have a glut of outstanding players, too many at one position usually means someone won’t be happy and may decide to take his talents elsewhere. The transfer portal is full of impatient athletes looking to maximize their eligibility with an opportunity for more playing time.

BEYOND NEXT SEASON: Projecting the scholarship athletes for the 2024-25 season is even more convoluted because UConn has four players with COVID-19 eligibility, putting them one player above capacity.

• The odds are closer to nil than reality that the roster would look anything like what’s projected. And that’s a good thing, since Hurley and company would have a tough time recruiting a freshman class with little to no scholarships available.

NO WORRIES: Hopefully, it’s not wishful thinking, but between the transfer portal and the NBA Draft, the surplus issue should get resolved rather easily. Just remember this: Only five players who played for the Huskies last season returned to UConn.

• We’ll revisit the roster projections for the men and the women after the transfer portal closes in mid-May.

— David Kull

Morning Reads

• Kemba Walker reflected on his time playing for the Mavericks earlier this season and insists he still has more in the tank as he tries to give the NBA another shot. (The Athletic)

Top photo: Dan Hurley coaches the Huskies in a home game against Georgetown. (Ian Bethune for The UConn Daily)