As hard as it is to believe, the start of the UConn men and women’s basketball teams’ season is a little over a month away. At the “Basketball Capital of the World,” the excitement of Hassan Diarra, Alex Karaban and the Connecticut men “three-peating” is palpable. On the women’s side, the highly touted Sarah Strong starts her career for the Huskies. Not to mention, Paige Bueckers also returns for her senior year and has the potential to cement herself as one of the best players to ever have put on the UConn uniform. Regardless, for both men and women, many key players will impact the outcome of this season. In this week’s roundtable, our group of writers will give their take on the UConn basketball player they are most excited about.
Matt Dimech, Campus Correspondent: Liam McNeely
Liam McNeely was the ninth ranked prospect in the class of 2024, playing for the best high school team in the country last year at Monteverde Academy. McNeely is widely regarded as the best three-point shooter in his class. The freshman forward shot 55.6% from beyond the arc last year. McNeely will be a perfect fit in Dan Hurley’s system for UConn, an offense that utilizes screens, off-ball movements and back door cuts to create opportunities to score. The Lone Star state native can also aggressively attack the basket off the dribble. This summer UConn’s three-point specialist, Cam Spencer, was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies. McNeely should be a solid fit to plug into that role. The forward has a real chance at starting for the Huskies this year, and fans can bank on him to make a big impact for the defending national champions.
Tyler Pruneau, Campus Correspondent: Alex Karaban
Alex Karaban might be an easy pick, but he will have the biggest role this year, being the leader of the team. With Tristen Newton, Donavan Clingan, Cam Spencer and Stephon Castle leaving for the NBA, this leaves Karaban being the only player from last season’s starting five staying for the 2024-2025 season. The program now has a lot of new talent that could challenge the Huskies’ chemistry throughout the season. In their championship run two seasons ago, the team was surrounded by great leaders like Andre Jackson, Jordan Hawkins and Adama Sanogo, so Karaban understands the expectations when it comes to being a leader and dealing with keeping everyone’s heads up and their eyes on the prize. Not only will he be a great leader, but he will be a lethal weapon on the court, especially knowing what head coach Dan Hurley is expecting from a team that is looking to make history.
Jake McCreven, Campus Correspondent: Aidan Mahaney
Aidan Mahaney opted to transfer over 3,000 miles east this off season, entering the portal as the No. 22 ranked overall prospect and No. 10 ranked guard. The former Saint Mary’s standout will look to compete with returnees Hassan Diarra and Solomon Ball for minutes in the backcourt along with freshman Ahmad Nowell. A versatile guard with the ability to shoot beyond the arc and make use of a knack for getting open to find good shots, Mahaney, if slotted at the “one,” will look to fill the shoes left by NBA-departed and former All-American guard Tristen Newton. Mahaney’s style is not a carbon copy of Newton’s, which brings intrigue to the position as well as the backcourt, with Hurley looking to find his next commander.
Avery Becker, Campus Correspondent: Jaylin Stewart
Jaylin Stewart enters his sophomore season with the Huskies with a national championship under his belt and as one of the four remaining players who were members of the “Freshman Fab Five” last season. As he started to get game reps as his freshman season went on, his confidence grew. Stewart is a dynamic forward and can shoot from anywhere on the floor. Even though he only averaged around 2.5 points and 1.2 rebounds per game, he was an impactful player behind the scenes, creating space from inside to beyond the arc. The Huskies have a void to fill after Stephon Castle left to join the NBA, so this is the perfect opportunity for Jaylin Stewart to step up. He has a chance to show Connecticut fans how good of a shooter and playmaker he is as the team looks to three-peat.
Gavin Friedman, Campus Correspondent: Sarah Strong
Sarah Strong comes to Storrs as the top-ranked recruit entering the 2024 season, and there’s a ton to be excited about. In high school, Strong averaged 23.0 points, 16.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 3.3 steals per game. Strong will be joining a UConn team that lost Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl to the WNBA, but they will still have most of their roster returning from last season, including guards Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd. Strong could look to fill the role that Edwards is leaving behind, and given her skill set, she is very capable of doing so. Strong will be able to use her size to her advantage and should be a strong post presence for the Huskies when she’s on the court. Strong will be a great addition to what could be one of the most feared teams in college hoops.
Hayden Farquhar, Campus Correspondent: Ashlynn Shade
Ashlynn Shade earned the trust of Geno Auriemma quickly as a freshman, averaging 36.7 minutes per game after her breakout performance vs. Ball State on Dec. 6. The 5-foot-10 guard’s rapid adjustment to the college level was a game changer for the Huskies, who desperately needed a shooting threat after Azzi Fudd’s season-ending injury. Her quick shot release and threat from beyond the arc opened the floor immensely and played a pivotal role in UConn’s Final Four run, particularly in the first round against Jackson State, where Shade shot 5-11 from three en route to a blowout victory for the Huskies. Her inevitable continued development as a sophomore will be an exciting watch, considering how poised she looked as a freshman. With, hopefully, a fully healthy season on the cards, the pairing of Fudd and Shade out on the perimeter promises to push UConn toward another serious tilt for the National Championship.
Connor Sargeant, Associate Sports Editor: Hassan Diarra
With the departure of All-American point guard Tristen Newton, the UConn men’s basketball team will turn to the experience and leadership of two-time national champion Hassan Diarra. Even if the Queens, N.Y. native wasn’t lighting up the scoreboard night in and night out like some of his former teammates last season, make no mistake: Diarra made game-winning plays last year. Diarra played his role as UConn’s sixth man to a tee, and it’s a big reason as to why the program was as dominant as it was. The graduate guard will likely step into a similar role this season. However, he will likely be the day-one starting point guard for Connecticut, and it will be interesting to see how he plays with the first unit. Make no mistake, UConn did not by any means “downgrade” with Newton gone and Diarra in; these athletes have distinct play styles, and the way that Diarra incorporates his brand of basketball will play a significant role in Connecticut’s season and will be the most interesting to watch.
Nahum Valiente, Campus Correspondent: Paige Bueckers
It has been a tumultuous journey for the redshirt senior from Hopkins, Minn., Paige Bueckers. After becoming the first freshman to win a national player of the year award, there were high expectations for her colligate career at UConn. However, her following season was shortened due to injury, and it was injury again that kept her on the bench for her third year at UConn. After being off the court for months, Bueckers returned to lead the team to a Final Four Appearance and averaged 21.9 points that same season. After announcing she would return to UConn for a fifth year, many are anticipating a master class season from Bueckers as she has her eyes set on the one award she has yet to achieve, which is a national championship. Bueckers is also projected to be the first pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, and surely, her performance this season will solidify that.
Sam Calhoun, Staff Writer: Tarris Reed Jr.
When Reed announced his commitment to transfer from Michigan to UConn, I watched his film on YouTube from his time with Juwan Howard’s program in Ann Arbor. His 19-point performance at Iowa stood out to me last year. He showed flashes of what Connecticut legend Adama Sanogo was like during his time in Storrs. Season highlights showed that those flashes were frequent throughout the season. I love how he can finish at point-blank at the basket. His post moves can be incredible to watch. Reed is listed at six feet and 10 inches tall, competing with junior Samson Johnson for the starting center position. Last season, the St. Louis native averaged nine points and 7.2 rebounds per game on 51.9% shooting. If Reed can be another Sanogo, then the Huskies will have the perfect player to fill in the shoes left by Donovan Clingan.