Keep your expectations in check with UConn

Just six short months ago, I said that I thought that the violations that UConn faced from the NCAA could be a de facto death penalty to the program.

I meant it. I wasn't the only one that thought it. And if I could go back in time knowing what I know now, I would probably have written the exact same thing.

Which is why the UConn's win in the Maui Invitational must feel so good for Jim Calhoun.

The Huskies completed one of the most memorable in-season tournament runs in memory, winning the Maui Invitational on the slender shoulders of Kemba Walker. On Monday, they intrigued us with a comeback win against Wichita State. On Tuesday, they impressed us, knocking off No. 2 Michigan State.

And on Wednesday, the Huskies awed us. They not only beat Kentucky, they embarrassed them. If the unexpected resurgence of the UConn program felt good, beating former nemesis John Calipari iced the cake.

"That was a shellacking," Kentucky coach John Calipari said. "We were outplayed, out-coached, out-everythinged."


The Wildcats were in it for all of twelve minutes. Terrence Jones picked up his second foul with the score 28-22 and 9:13 left on the clock. He sat the rest of the half. From that point on, UConn would outscore UK 22-7, including a 21-2 run in the last seven minutes that was spurred by 10 points from Walker. Kentucky never made it interesting.

So what has happened with UConn?

Why is this team so much better than people predicted?

The biggest issue is addition by subtraction. Last season's version of the Huskies belonged to Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson. It was there team, but neither of them were leaders. In fact, their performance down the stretch of the season was downright embarrassing. They quit, and the team followed suit.

This year, it is Kemba Walker's team. He has not only developed as a basketball player since the end of last season, he has developed as a leader. He has turned into the kind of player that not only wants to put the team on his back, he is capable of doing it.

Its not just the points that he provides, either. Walker's ability to penetrate forces defenses to pay attention to him. It makes perimeter defenders slough off of wing players and it forces big men to try to be shot blockers. Walker may be scoring 30.0 ppg, but that is more out of necessity than an unwillingness to be a passer. The perfect example came with about a minute left in the first half. Walker had buried threes on back-to-back possessions. The next time UConn has the ball, Walker finds himself with another open three, but he dumped the ball off to Jamal Coombs-McDaniel for a layup.

That's the kind of player he is.

That's why he is the early favorite for national player of the year.

But what does it do for UConn?

Odds are good that they will be in the top ten Monday morning. That's what happens when you knock off two top ten teams this early in the season.

That doesn't necessarily mean that this is a top ten team, however.

I said it last week, and I stand by it today -- UConn cannot rely on Walker scoring 30 every night for them to win. They simply can't do it. Coaches in the Big East will have too much time to prepare for Walker. They will have too much time to game plan for him. All it takes is one coach shutting him down and that game tape circulating for the secret to get out.

This is still the same team that struggles to find a secondary scorer. This is still the same team that is loaded with young -- talented, but young nonetheless -- players. And if there is anything we should know about freshmen by now, its that they are inconsistent.

Shabazz Napier's turnover are going to come. Roscoe Smith is going to start missing threes. Coombs-McDaniel, Jeremy Lamb, and Niels Giffey will have their ups and downs as well.

I'm not saying UConn isn't any good.

Quite the opposite. This is a team that has a good of a shot as Syracuse, Georgetown, West Virginia, or Marquette to finish in the top four of the Big East.

But if UConn does get that top ten ranking, don't expect a Final Four team just yet.

They may get there. They may also have ups and downs as a team. Putting a top ten label and top ten expectations on a team that was tenth in their own league in the preseason is a lot to ask because of one unbelievable week.

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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Freshman

In the one-and-done era of college basketball, the role of freshman has begun to change. No longer are they brought in to school to develop into superstars. Instead, many of the best are expected to star for and carry their respective programs from day one.

Think Greg Oden and Mike Conley, or Michael Beasley, or Kevin Durant.

But there are still plenty of coaches who recruit to fill a hole in their line-upor simply have enough talent on their roster that the freshman are not going to be asked to do more play a role, regardless of their talent level.

These are the Jrue Holidays and the Ed Davis's of the world.

Who will be this season's freshman stars? Which freshman will play the most important role's for their teams?

IMPACT FRESHMAN:

• John Wall, Kentucky: Everyone in the country should know by now what John Wall is capable of (Jerry Stackhouse sure does). Wall is a big, athletic point guard with the ability to get by just about any defender on the perimeter and finish above the rim. Wall also has the ability to find an open man if he draws an extra defender. He isn't the greatest shooter in the world, but he is effective enough that it deserves respect. Wall is the perfect fit as a guard in John Calipari's dribble-drive offense, and while he may not be the best player on Kentucky (that honor goes to Patrick Patterson until further notice), he will arguably be their most important.

John Wall will be a star from day one.
(photo credit: WUOG)

• Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech: Many people (including myself) are predicting the Yellow Jackets to be much improved over last season's 2-14 team. Favors is the main reason for that. He could use some polish on his offensive game, but his athleticism and strength will allow him to succeed at this level. Teaming with Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech will have a front line that few teams will be able to match-up with.
• Avery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton, Texas: Texas will have one of the biggest and best front lines in the country this season, but with the departure of AJ Abrams, the biggest question for Rick Barnes team is going to be where they get their perimeter scoring from. Bradley and Hamilton were two of the most highly sought after recruits in the nation, and their ability to create points (and make shots) from the perimeter will go a long way in determining whether Texas is going to be a good team or a great team.
• Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati: Stephenson's high school troubles were well-documented over the past year. From an overbearing father to questions regarding his eligibility to an arrest for allegedly groping a female classmate, "Born Ready" became the pariah of the 2009 recruiting class. He ended up at Cincinnati, which is happens to be a great fit for him. Stephenson may be the best all-around scorer in the class of '09, and when paired with senior Deonta Vaughn, he gives Mick Cronin arguably the best 1-2 punch in the Big East.
• Abdul Gaddy, Washington: Gaddy, like Stephenson, had a roller-coaster recruitment. Many originally thought he was destined for Memphis, but after a booster (who happened to be the CEO of FedEx) placed a call to Gaddy's mother (who is a customer service rep for FedEx), the Tigers seemed to back off his recruitment a bit. Gaddy then committed to Arizona, but backed out as a result of the changeover that program is going through. He ended up at U-Dub, where he will thrive in the uptempo system Lorenzo Romar runs. More importantly, his addition will allow Isaiah Thomas to get more minutes playing off the ball where is more effective.

Gaddy may be the best guard in the Pac-10 this year.
(photo credit: ESPN)

• Kenny Boynton, Florida: Billy Donovan's team lost Nick Calathes to Greece during the off-season, which left a gaping hole at the lead guard spot. While Boynton has a very different skill set than Calathes, he should come in and provide the Gators with a dominant perimeter scorer that can pay either guard spot.

MOST IMPORTANT FRESHMAN

• Keith "Tiny" Gallon and Tommy Mason-Griffin, Oklahoma: Both of these freshman will play very important roles for Jeff Capel. Gallon is a big body that will be relied upon to replace some of the production the Sooners lost with the Brothers Griffin leaving. Mason-Griffin is a tough point guard that can run a team, lead a break, and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Oklahoma's biggest deficiency last season was their lack of a true point guard, and this addition will allow Willie Warren to slide over to the off-guard spot where he can focus on being a scorer.
• Andre Dawkins, Duke: Dawkins may actually be the most important freshman in the country. Duke was looking at coming into this season with just two guards on their roster, but Dawkins, who was originally committed to the Blue Devils for the class of '10, was heading into his fifth year as a high schooler. By taking summer school classes, Dawkins was able to graduate a year early and enroll at Duke. Not only will he provide some much needed back court depth, Dawkins can play. A big time athlete, he is able to provide a scoring punch on the perimeter for Coach K. His size may be his most important tool, as he will be able to play the two, allowing Jon Scheyer to slide over to the point, where he was more effectice this past season. If Dawkins lives up to his hype, Duke should be able to compete for the ACC crown.
• Dante Taylor, Pitt: Taylor will be instrumental in keeping Pitt's streak on NCAA Tournament appearances intact. After losing their entire starting front line (Sam Young, DeJuan Blair, and Tyrell Biggs), there are going to be plenty of minutes and shots available for Taylor. Coming into a program known for their grit in the paint, Taylor will have a lot of pressure on him to produce immediately. The McDonald's all-american should be up to the task.
• Alex Oriakhi, UConn: Like Taylor, Oriakhi is going to have some big shoes to fill along UConn's front line. Oriakhi is not the prototypical UConn center we have become accostomed to. Much less athletic and no where near as good of a shot blocker as guys like Emeka Okafor, Hasheem Thabeet, or Josh Boone, Oriakhi is more of a Jeff Adrien - a workhorse in the paint that will be a load to handle on the glass. He should see minutes right away as UConn's front court will be wide open this season, and if he is able to handle the rigors of a Big East schedule, the Huskies should not experience the drop-off they usually do after a Final Four run.
• John Jenkins, Vanderbilt: While Vanderbilt did not have a great season in '08-'09, they do return everyone off of that team. One of their biggest issues last season, however, was the lack of a scoring punch on the perimeter. Jenkins will provide that, as he may already be the best shooter in the country. Adding Jenkins to a team with AJ Ogilvy, Jeff Taylor, and Jermaine Beal makes the Commodores a sleeper in the loaded SEC East.

John Jenkins will be one of the best shooters in the country as a freshman.
(photo credit: Station Camp Basketball)

• Noel Johnson, Clemson: Clemson will begin this season without a proven scorer or shooter on their perimeter as KC Rivers graduated and Terrence Oglesby has left to play pro ball in Norway. Johnson, who originally committed to USC before the Trojans meltdown, will be the guy Oliver Purnell looks to as a replacement. He is a shooter with deep range and has shown the ability to create for himself when he puts the ball on the floor. The biggest question mark thus far will be his ability to play Clemson's full court press, but given his length and athleticism that should not be a problem if he commits himself
• Peyton Siva, Louisville: With Terrence Williams and Earl Clark leaving, Edgar Sosa is left as the only kid on the Cardinals roster with the ability to create offensively in the half court. As you know, Sosa has been wildly inconsistent during his three seasons in Louisville, which is why Siva is so important. Siva joins Pitino's program with a reputation for being able to ceate scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates. If Sosa is unable to handle his role as the lead playmaker on this team, look for Siva to slide in and play a major role.
  
• Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson, Illinois: The Illini leaned so heavily on seniors Chester Frazier and Trent Meachem last season. Not so much in their ability to score, as big men Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale both developed into solid scoring threats. It was the little things. Those two defended, they knocked down open shots, and most importantly they were leaders. It is the little things that Bruce Weber will be looking for from Paul and Richardson. While Paul is probably a better offensive player at this point in their respective careers, it is Richardson's defense and toughness that Weber will covet. If these two can effectively replace the departed Illini back court, it will go a long way towards keeping Illinois out of the middle of the pack in a very good Big Ten.
  

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