This week we will be previewing the 2016-17 men’s basketball season. If you have MBB mailbag questions, let us know.
When you deem yourself the “Top 5” you pretty much forfeit any hopes of low expectations. So it seems appropriate that we begin our season preview series with a look at the five-man freshman class that will take the court with a catchy, grandiose moniker and significant roles to play.
It’s rare for UConn to import a recruiting class of this size. The last five-man freshman class was in 2010, a group that included Shabazz Napier, Jeremy Lamb and Roscoe Smith as four-star recruits, and Michael Bradley and Tyler Olander as three-stars. Though Olander walked away with a few hilarious rings (hi Jim Boeheim), he and Bradley were not expected to contribute right away on the 2011 squad. To find the last somewhat comparable recruiting class, you need to venture back to the 2006-07 season when eight freshmen joined the team (a fun consequence of your entire roster going pro at once). Stanley Robinson and Curtis Kelley (!) were the five-star guys. Hasheem Thabeet, Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins were four-stars. Gavin Edwards, Ben Eaves and Jonathan Mandeldove were the three-star projects. Four of those eight (Dyson, Robinson, Thabeet, Wiggins) averaged double-digit minutes per game.
This year, that could be true of all five rookies, who are poised to fill some cavernous holes on the roster. Let’s examine in order.
Alterique Gilbert: With sophomore Jalen Adams ascending into a starring role, Gilbert will fill his spot as the third guard on the roster. The speed at which Gilbert can find his place in UConn’s offense will go a long way in determining how successful the Huskies will be this season. They are in need of a point guard that can push the tempo and create space on the floor for Adams and senior Rodney Purvis. A lower-key way that Gilbert could improve the offense is by getting to the free throw line. UConn was 332nd in the nation in free throw rate last season (that’s bad), while Purvis and Adams were ineffective at drawing fouls. That should improve somewhat this year, but it will be imperative for Gilbert to force the issue.
Juwan Durham: Durham might have the highest upside of any of the Top 5. He was around a top 30 recruit before suffering two knee injuries and missing his senior year of high school. All reports indicate that he has recovered and will be at 100 percent to begin the season. That’s great news for UConn, who will have a massive Shonn Miller-sized hole at the power forward spot this year. With Daniel Hamilton also departed, the Huskies will need to replace 81 percent (!!) of last season’s rebounds. Durham may struggle on the boards to begin the season, especially with his slender frame, but his overall talent should ensure he gets ample opportunity to prove himself. He will also benefit by playing in a smaller lineup — which frankly seems like an inevitable strategic move that coach Kevin Ollie will turn to this season.
Mamadou Diarra: At 6’8”, 215 lbs, Diarra will depend on athleticism and motor to earn his minutes. Fortunately, those are two super fun qualities in a forward off the bench. With high-energy freshmen, the key is adapting to college play — namely college officiating. It’s easy for spastic, hyper aggressive bigs to land in quick foul trouble, and it wouldn’t be surprising if that turns out to be true for Diarra as well. If he can play fast and under control, Diarra is destined to become a fan favorite.
Vance Jackson: In addition to having the best Periscope game of the freshman class, Jackson also has the best jump shot. That’s his signature, which is convenient because it’s a skill that UConn desperately needs — and hasn’t had off the bench in recent years. At 6’8”, 220 lbs, Jackson is big enough to play a perimeter four (best case: DeAndre Daniels), allowing for even more lineup flexibility. With Sterling Gibbs graduated, UConn will be in search of outside shooting this year. If Jackson can adjust quickly to the physical challenges of college play, he should have a large role in the offense. It’s rare for a freshman — even one with an outside-centric game — to excel from three-point range right away (consider the physical differences between Gampel and most high school gyms), but anything over around 35 percent from deep would be a huge contribution to this team.
Christian Vital: Ollie hasn’t been able to find that typical UConn bonus guard during his tenure. We hoped that Sam Cassell Jr. could fill the role, but he struggled with performance and injury (though should get a statue outside Gampel for bringing us Bunkey). Essentially, the team needs someone who can handle the ball, cover for guards who are injured or in foul trouble, and knock down open shots. Vital could grow into more than that. By all accounts, he’s a hard-working kid with skills outpacing his three-star ranking. For now though, he will have a limited but critical role.
Typically, a roster so crowded by freshmen would be indicative of a rebuilding year. While this year’s team could struggle to combine all of their pieces into a cohesive unit, it’s comforting that the backbone of the team is comprised of high-quality veterans that should allow the kids room to grow. That said, this team’s success will be largely dependent on the play of their youngsters. If they struggle to adapt, rebounding and offensive efficiency will suffer. If they can prove themselves capable of handling their roles, they could have the whole city goin’ crazy. Top 5. Top 5. Top 5.
