2006-2007 Big East Preview: #5

#5- Connecticut Huskies

Last season: 30-4 (14-2), lost to George Mason in the Elite Eight.
Coach: Jim Calhoun (21st year). 485-177 at UConn.

Jim Calhoun must recover from the loss of his top six scorers in 2006-2007. But with a recruiting class that he calls one of his best ever, I wouldn't count anything out. After a disappointing loss to upstart George Mason in the NCAA Tournament last year (in which Calhoun complained about the partisan crowd, since Washington, D.C. is only 18 miles from the George Mason campus), the Huskies will be determined to advance deep into the NCAA Tournament again. Whether or not they can is another question.

Returning for Calhoun's squad are Jeff Adrien, Craig Austrie, and A.J. Price who sat out last year due to suspension in laptop-gate. Austrie and Price form a formidable backcourt if they live up to expectations. Adrien is UConn's top returning player and figures to be the team leader.

At the center position, Calhoun will put his trust in 7-3, 265 pound freshman Hasheem Thabeet. Thabeet, who was recently cleared by the NCAA, is a shot blocker and rebounding extraordinaire. He will compete for the ball on offense with fellow freshman Jonathan Mandeldove.

UConn is a very young team (no juniors or seniors on the roster) that will mature quickly under Calhoun's leadership. They have only three tough non-conference games (they don't leave Connecticut until December 30) and draw Louisville, Syracuse, and Rutgers twice during the Big East season. While Louisville and Syracuse will be tough, I think Connecticut will win a few of the four games with those two teams. Calhoun says, "By February, we could be pretty good." I concur.

Schedule and predictions:

11/10 vs. Quinnipiac- W
11/17 vs. Central Arkansas- W
11/18 vs. Fairfield- W
11/19 vs. Ole Miss- W
11/26 vs. Albany- W
11/29 vs. Sacred Heart- W
12/3 vs. Texas Southern- W
12/6 vs. Northeastern- W
12/17 vs. St. Mary's- W
12/20 vs. Pepperdine- W
12/27 vs. Coppin State- W
12/30 @ West Virginia- W
1/2 vs. South Florida- W
1/6 @ LSU- L
1/10 vs. Marquette- W
1/13 @ St. John's- W
1/16 @ Pittsburgh- L
1/20 vs. Indiana- W
1/22 @ Louisville- L
1/27 vs. Providence- W
1/31 @ DePaul- W
2/3 vs. Rutgers- W
2/5 vs. Syracuse- W
2/11 @ Georgia Tech- L
2/14 vs. Seton Hall- W
2/17 @ Syracuse- L
2/21 @ Rutgers- W
2/25 vs. Louisville- W
2/28 vs. Villanova- L
3/3 @ Georgetown- L

Projected record: 23-7 (11-5).
Postseason: NCAA 2nd round.