For the first time since 1987, the UCONN Men’s Basketball program will not be participating in any postseason tournaments. This officially closes the book on what amounted to a lost season for the Huskies. Lacking a proven scorer and having 9 first year players, the Huskies were plagued with youth and inexperience most of the season. One of the main reasons for the Huskies dismal season was their poor free throw shooting. This cost them a lot of wins and any of those games they could have won when they missed free throws may have helped their chances to gain a place in postseason.
Now the offseason talk begins. Having no scholarships available, Coach Jim Calhoun will need people to transfer or leave for the NBA. The only one with a remote chance to go the NBA right now is Hasheem Thabeet. But after watching him get schooled by Roy Hibbert of Georgetown in the regular season finale, in my humble opinion, he needs at least another year. He needs to bulk up and just play more, be more assertive on the offensive end, develop some post moves and continue to work on his defense.
As far as the transfer candidates go, the one I could see leaving for sure is sophomore Rob Garrison. Garrison went from playing a lot last year to riding the pine padded seats. My other potential transfer candidates are freshman Ben Eaves, Doug Wiggins, Stanley Robinson, and quite possibly Jonathan Mandeldove and Gavin Edwards. Those two could change based on what Thabeet does.
As far as what I’d like to see, I would like to see a stronger early season schedule. This year’s schedule was very easy as evidenced by the Huskies breezing through the first 11 games at home. Their first road game of the year was in Morgantown, West Virginia at West Virginia University in what is probably the toughest arena to play in in the Big East. So for me a few games against stronger opponents and a few games on the road. I think that will help the Huskies next season in the ever so tough Big East. That and the experience, the young players got this season will help too. UCONN will still have no scholarship seniors next season either.
