The reigning and defending national champion UConn Huskies are set to repeat their success from last season. While a few of their star players are in the NBA, the Huskies still have a lot of expectations. Can Dan Hurley create a dynasty? This article examines UConn entering the 2023-24 season.
UConn Huskies Preview 2023-2024
Background
Connecticut is coming off a magical season last year. UConn was 31-8 and 13-7 in the Big East. However, it was a little chaotic at some points. They finished fourth in the Big East and lost in the Big East Semifinals to Marquette. Nevertheless, the Huskies did not waiver and had one of the most dominant NCAA Tournament runs in history.
Where They Found Success
Efficient Offense
UConn was a very good offensive team and was efficient. They had one of the best field goal percentages for conference games and the top three-point shooting percentage in the conference as well. Additionally, the Huskies were third in points per game in the Big East. More importantly, they were eighth in the country in offensive efficiency in 2022-2023. All of this success on offense helped them become an excellent team and dominant college basketball.
Offensive Rebounding
UConn was a fantastic offensive-rebounding team. Their ability to rebound allowed their offense to become more efficient, as they generated high-percentage shots off the rebound. The Huskies were eighth in the country in offensive rebounding per game at 11.5 per game. Furthermore, they produced the third-best offensive rebounding percentage at 37.4. In a game dominated by getting timely and easy buckets, UConn was great and getting second-chance opportunities because of their rebounding.
Where They Struggled
Turnovers
In their losses last season, the UConn Huskies struggled with taking care of the basketball. They had a negative turnover margin, meaning that they produced more turnovers than they forced. While they did better in this area during the NCAA Tournament, it was an area of concern for Connecticut during their rough patch in the season. This must improve this upcoming season, as the Big East has improved immensely from a year ago.
Notable Returners
Donovan Clingan
Donovan Clingan comes off a highly productive freshman year. Clingan averaged 6.9 points and 5.6 rebounds on 65.5 percent shooting. Furthermore, he produced these stats in only 13 minutes a game. Clingan is one of the biggest players in college basketball at 7-foot-2′ and 265 pounds and uses his size well. He is an excellent offensive rebounder, shot-blocker, and finisher around the basket. Nevertheless, his biggest strength is his motor. Donovan plays incredibly hard every possession, and that allows him to find success.
Tristen Newton
Transferring this past season from East Carolina, Tristen Newton was a major impact player. Averaging 10.1 points and 4.7 assists last season, Newton has more opportunity to shine this year for the Huskies. A three-level scorer, who is a good three-point shooter at over 36 percent, Newton is a good facilitator as well. Greater opportunity should mean greater production, so this is a big year for Newton to improve his efficiency and overall stats.
Alex Karaban
Another productive rising sophomore, Alex Karaban, must take an even bigger role this season for Connecticut. Karaban excelled at cutting off the ball and shooting the three. Alex shot 40.2 percent from three on 140 attempts. He takes a high volume and makes them at a high percentage. He also is a good passer as he had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio this past season. The key for Karaban is to create more with the ball in his hands and take advantage of smaller matchups.
Notable Transfers
Cam Spencer
UConn added an impressive transfer to their team in Cam Spencer. A productive guard for Rutgers, Spencer is an excellent three-point shooter. Spencer averaged 13.2 points a game on 43.4 percent from three-point range. He also took about five threes a game, so shooting is his big strength. Additionally, Spencer brings experience. Cam played in the Big 10 last season and was highly productive against high-quality teams. Furthermore, he brings leadership with that experience. Cam Spencer fits well with the Huskies because he is a high-IQ player who shoots the ball at an elite level.
The First Years for Connecticut
The UConn Huskies look to build a dynasty and their incoming class may help them do just that. The incoming Freshman class is the third-ranked recruiting class according to 247 Sports. Therefore, UConn is bringing in some high-level talent.
Stephon Castle
Stephon Castle is the most highly touted first-year in this incoming class. A McDonald’s All-American, Castle is an elite player. Standing at 6-foot-6 with great athleticism, Stephon is a disrupter defensively. He gets a lot of deflections and steals because of his length and anticipatory skills. However, his strength comes from his impressive scoring ability. Castle scores well in ball screen opportunities and isolation. His most notable performance was a 41-point outburst against Duncanville, one of the best high schools in Texas. Castle has a midrange game, an ability to get to the basket, and can keep the defense honest with his outside shot. Castle looks to be a starter this year for the Huskies.
Solomon Ball
Another elite-level player coming into this recruiting class is Solomon Ball from Brewster Academy. At 6-foot-3′ with a 6-foot-10′ wingspan, Ball is as explosive of a guard as they come. Ranked 41st by 247 Sports, Ball has a 45-inch vertical and shoots well from the perimeter. In transition, Solomon is lethal as he has a strong frame and an elite athletic burst that makes him hard to deal with. Solomon also has a toughness and competitiveness that few can match, making him an exciting get for the Huskies.
Jaylin Stewart
The class continues to be more impressive, with Jaylin Stewart coming into Hartford this season. Ranked 53rd by 247 sports, Stewart is another impressive wing for the Huskies. He possesses size at 6-foot-7 and length that allows him to shoot over the top of defenders. His size allows him to finish in traffic and make plays on defense. Moreover, his strength is his versatility. Stewart guards multiple positions on defense and can do different things on offense. He handles the ball well in the open court and isolation situations. His size and versatility make him an excellent prospect for the Huskies.
Jayden Ross
Jayden Ross is another impressive Freshman for the Huskies. Ranked 81st by 247 Sports, Ross was a late bloomer. His late success caught the eye of Connecticut. Furthermore, Ross excels at using his size to shoot over smaller defenders and makes catch-and-shoot threes. Ross is versatile and has the potential to guard multiple positions for the Huskies as well. His potential is high, so Hurley and his staff can develop Ross into something special.
Youssouf Singare
The UConn Huskies got another four-star recruit in Youssouf Singare. Ranked 135th by 247 Sports, Singare is a work in progress on the offense end. However, he possesses elite defensive instincts and ability. He is mobile enough to guard perimeter players, gets back into the play to block shots, and scrambles to make impressive defensive plays. Singare runs the floor at a high level and plays with a motor. Therefore, Singare can be an elite big for the Huskies in the future.
Projected Starting Five for UConn
PG-Newton
SG- Spencer
SF- Castle
PF-Karaban
C-Clingan
