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2008 Connecticut Basketball Predictions & Season Preview

Written October 14, 2008 by Jack Jones

This Connecticut basketball team could be special. They have a deep roster filled with talented and athletic players, some with experience and others are young guys who should have an immediate impact. Four of five starters are back from a team that went 24-9 a year ago, 13-5 in a tough Big East conference. Now this team has their sites set on a Big East title and advancing further into the tournament than their first round loss to San Diego a year ago. BetUS odds makers see the Huskies as the Big East favorites at 2-to-1 to win the regular season title.

The frontcourt is going to be extremely tough. Their have a national defensive players of the year winner in center Hasheem Thabet. Thabeet is 7′3″ and was third in the nation in blocks a yea ago while adding 10.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. The junior thought about turning pro but wanted to develop his offensive game more this year. Jeff Adrien returns at power forward after earning All-Big East honors with 14.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game as a junior. Nate Miles comes in as a highly touted freshman and is expected to start at small forward. Jonathan Mandeldove, Gavin Edwards, Ater Majok, and Charles Okwandu will add depth down low.

Just how good UConn can be might depend on the recover of AJ Price from off-season knee surgery. He came on strong last year when he put up 14.5 points and 5.8 assists per game. He was also the team’s floor leader and they need him at full strength. Jerome Dyson starts at shooting guard and scored 12.5 points per game last season. For depth there is Craig Austrie, who gives the team over 20 minutes a game filling in at either guard spot, while Donnell Beverly and a couple of newcomers in Scottie Haralson and Kemba Walker will all try to fight their way onto the floor.

Final Analysis

This team has a chance to be as good as anyone in the nation, and that includes the Tar Heels from North Carolina. This team is deep and will have several talented players competing for starting roles, and just to get on the floor. Defensively there shouldn’t be any problems with Thabeet cleaning up any mistakes, but the offense needs to find a consistent go-to guy. They have quite a few players that can contribute, but no real big name who wants to step up and be the man. After two disappointing years for the UConn basketball program, this is the year that the school returns to the top of the basketball world. They might be worth a look for the college basketball odds to win the national title. BetUS currently lists the Huskies at 14-to-1 to win it all come April.

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