Omar Calhoun looks to be signed up good and tight for the year (thank you basketball God). His addition to the back court gives UConn another shooter to take pressure off Boatright and Napier. Shabazz may be ready to assume full responsibility of the team (I hope so), but Boatright needs to know that he has another shooting option in the back court. R.J. Evans, being a veteran college basketball player helps the back court with leadership, as well.
Phillip Nolan is a welcome relief on a team that lost 9 of 16 players to either early exit or graduation. A local boy from my home state (Wisconsin), his 6-10, 205 body will be a a good fit in an offense that tends to run the court. He is best as a power forward, and with Roscoe Smith gone, he should be the starter unless Calhoun wants to run a small lineup like Marquette with the abundance of guards. Nolan can play all three front court positions, awesome! But as much as I'd like to see the left-handed Freshmen play at Center, if he's best at PF, he will play that. Enosch Wolf, Husky Nation is calling you out and calling on you to step up and achieve your full potential.
In researching recruiting for UConn, I found a new, signed member of the Husky family: Leon Tolksdorf, the third German-born player on the team, alongside Wolf and Giffy. A 6'7 freshmen who plays PF, I'm not as confident with this choice as I'd like to be. Phillip Nolan will have that position, and plays best there. With Tolksdorf now in the fold, it could be that Calhoun wants a front-court of Olander, Tolksdorf, and Nolan playing center. If Nolan can step up to that, I'll be more than happy. This move may be to add depth too, but with scholarships limited, even with the departures, UConn has to use them wisely. Chris Obekpa is still out there, and I wouldn't mind having him on the team and allowing him to use this season to grow.
Drummond and Lamb left for the NBA, I expected that. Alex Oriakhi transferred to Missouri, he's a senior and NBA bound after this upcoming season, that I'm okay with. Michael Bradley transferred to Western Kentucky to be closer to his ailing grandma, that I understand and send my prayers to him and his family. Roscoe Smith...WHY!?!?!?! His minutes increased to a little over 25 this season. He was going to be the starter for sure this year, maybe play 30 a game...and now transfer? He's not at this moment good enough to be drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft next year, and is projected to go second round or undrafted (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft/results/players?id=19609&_slug_=roscoe-smith&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fdraft%2fresults%2fplayers%3fid%3d19609%26_slug_%3droscoe-smith) He is passing up a lot and has two years of eligibility left. I think it's a stupid move. Everyone remembers the Texas game in 2009 when he threw up the prayer from almost full court...leaving 7.5 seconds left for a Texas team that thankfully shot horrible that day and Kemba Walker had the ice water in his veins. Have fun Roscoe, we'll remember you for this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL3f7xxsQ6c)
UConn plays in the Paradise Jam tournament this season. George Mason, Iona, Mercer, New Mexico, Quinnipiac Illinois-Chicago and Wake Forest are also involved in the tournament. Regardless of who they face, WIN! Win the tournament and make a statement for yourselves.
Starting Lineup time. ROLL CALL!
Starting
PG- Shabazz Napier
SG- Ryan Boatright
PF-Phillip Nolan
SF-Tyler Olander
C-Enosch Wolf
Bench
PG- R.J. Evans
SG- Omar Calhoun
PF- Leon Tolksdorf
G- Niles Giffey
G/F- Deandre Daniels
G-Brendan Allen
F-Benjamin Stewart
Calhoun has a lot to work with. Daniels should flourish this year (I want him to). I want to see Brendan Allen and Benjamin Stewart used more. I want to see Enosch Wolf shock the NCAA world and show he isn't just another 7'1 guy. What style of offense will be run? They have the talent to go three-guard with Daniels and Nolan in the front court. They can also go shooters with Boatright, Napier, Calhoun, Giffy, and Daniels, or go with the traditional offense with each specific position represented on the court. This time is important! Use it to figure out what works best, learn about each other, grow, gel, and develop chemistry. Play for each other, outclass last years team and show the NCAA that nothing can stop Husky Nation!
Check out these vids for some highlights on two of the newest members of Husky Nation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mWQoe-ll3o Omar Calhoun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWFq7wCNkn0 Phillip Nolan
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