UConn missed Dyson last year, and it showed the most in the team’s Final Four loss to Michigan State. Dyson is this team’s X factor. He can make the big shot in pressure situations, and his competitiveness is contagious.
This is a big season for the 12th-ranked Huskies. With A.J. Price, Jeff Adrien, and Hasheem Thabeet gone to the NBA, Dyson and his teammates have big shoes to fill.
Sophomore point guard Kemba Walker already looks much improved from last year, not only in his decision-making but his ability to shoot the 3.
Six-foot-nine freshman center Alex Oriakhi looks to continue UConn's domination in the paint along with senior forwards Gavin Edwards and Stanley Robinson.
Coach Jim Calhoun knows his team is different than last year’s squad, but the Huskies still will look to run the floor and get the ball to their big men down low, despite the absence of the 7-foot-3 Thabeet.
Picked to finish third in the Big East behind Villanova and West Virginia, UConn should have a shot at the Final Four in Indianapolis.
Help will arrive midway through December when 6-foot-11 forward Ater Majok becomes eligible to play. A swingman from Sydney, Australia, Majok was permitted to sit on the bench during home games last year but could not travel with the team. He will have freshman status when he takes the court at the end of this year.
Majok is a big man who has the ability to both hit the outside shot and drive to the basket. His presence down low with Oriakhi and Robinson will help at both ends of the floor.
When this team gets a few games under its belt and Majok becomes comfortable, look for UConn to be in the top 10 at the end of the season and make a run at the Big East championship in March.
