Final Four: Can UConn Reload For Return Trip
The Final Four is set and one team will be crowned king of college basketball on Monday night. Over the next two days, we look at the incoming recruiting classes for the nation’s top teams and see if their trip to the last dance will be their last.
First, we’ll take a look at the current roster situation: who’s leaving, who’s staying and then who’s coming.
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Taliek Brown is finishing his collegiate career on the biggest stage at the Final Four. His departure may not be felt in the statistics despite his 6.6 assists per game average. Brown is the type of player that dictates the pace of the game and is content with the pass rather than the points. It will be difficult to replace his on court presence but there is a pair of guards coming in that can score some points.
Stayin’ or Goin’?
Speaking of points, the Huskies could be losing their top two scorers to the NBA. UConn is one of the only schools in the nation that will likely see two of its players drafted in the lottery. Junior Emeka Okafor is a likely top two pick in the draft. There is little doubt he is the best college player in the nation. At 17.4 points per game, 11.6 rebounds per game and 4.2 blocks per game, NBA scouts are drooling at the thought of building a franchise around him. Can you blame them?
Gordon, the team’s leading scorer at 18.5 points, is one of the best shooting guards in the country. He’s elevated his game even more in March, averaging 22 points a contest. Gordon has a Gilbert Arenas type of game. The junior also possesses great passing skills, dropping 4.6 assists a game. Odds are high that Gordon goes high in the draft if he comes out.
Don’t forget that freshman Charlie Villanueva also tested the draft waters last year. Will he be a one and done? Probably not but it certainly isn’t out of the picture. The rookie averaged just under 10 points a game and six rebounds this season. At 6-foot-11, he’s a nice project at small forward.
Trying to replace any of these players will prove to be difficult and somewhat impossible. But Jim Calhoun has two prep stars, one somewhat unknown player and a solid transfer to work with. Here is a look at the new faces.
No. 14 player on the Rivals150
6-foot-8, 205-pounds
Archbishop Spalding HS, Capitol Heights (Md.)
Gay is a superstar. Believe that. He’s silky smooth, he’s athletic and he’ll be a force in the Big East from day one. Gay has the ability to have a Ray Allen-like career in Stoors. The McDonalds All American gives UConn a new look on offense, playing more on the wing rather than looking inside to Okafor for points. If Villanueva sticks around, Gay becomes even more deadly because it allows him to play up to four positions if needed.
No. 36 player on the Rivals150
6-foot, 175-pounds
Amityville (N.Y.) HS
There are a number of great point guards in this 2004 class and Price is right there with them. Like Gordon, Price is a tremendous scorer and like Gordon, Price can run an offense. His range has improved and his handle is good enough to compete as a one in the Big East. He’ll have to add some weight but his skill level gets higher by the year. Price will make opponents pay for the next four years.
6-foot-1, 180-pounds
McClymonds HS, Oakland (Calif.)
Kellogg was a bit of a surprise to some when he made a spring commitment to the Huskies. And Uconn got a steal, according to those on the West. Kellogg is more of a combo guard but his niche may be his pesky on the ball defense. Anytime a team lands a guard with specific skills, it’s a help. Especially in the Big East.
6-foot-8, 250-pounds
Transfer from Georgia Tech
With Okafor likely gone, Nelson’s addition to the frontline is certainly a plus. Nelson, the a former ACC Freshman of the Year, is a workhorse with a year of experience against the nation’s best post player. Don’t expect Nelson to score a lot of points or block a lot of shots but do expect him to dive on the floor and battle for rebounds inside.
Odds to return to Final Four
Assuming Gordon and Okafor go to the NBA, the odds aren’t as high as they were to start this season. But Gay and Price will likely thrive in the Huskies’ system. Nelson gives some brute force and Kellogg gives the backcourt solid minutes. Will it be enough for a return trip to the Final Four? Maybe not next year but it could be soon.