There are a lot of things to be excited for with the UConn men’s basketball season opener just around the corner. Despite losing James Bouknight to the NBA, the Huskies return a strong roster and welcome 4 top-100 ranked freshman. The roster consists of potentially the deepest talent in recent history at UConn and with that, high expectations. They were picked to finish 2nd in the Big East behind perennial powerhouse Villanova and are beginning the season in the top-25 for the first time in 5 years at #24. This year will certainly be interesting and the team’s ceiling is quite high, but I believe the most important x-factor for the Huskies in 2021-2022 is Adama Sanogo.
Last season as a freshman, Sanogo showed flashes of strength. He grew into his own throughout the season and finished 4 of the final 5 games of the season, including the postseason, with double-digit points and grabbed his first career double-double with 10 rebounds against Georgetown. He had issues getting into foul trouble which limited his minutes at times, but when he was on the floor he had an impact. Overall, Sanogo shot 55.4% from the field, but in 2 games in the Big East Tournament he was much more efficient, shooting 66.7% from the field. In games UConn went on to win, Sanogo shot at a higher percentage from the field (+2.6%) and a higher rebound-per-game average (+0.75/game).
The sample size wasn’t huge considering it was one season and an odd one at that with COVID issues, but Sanogo passed the eye-test. His big, strong 6’9″ 240lb wide frame allows him to bang around down low for the Huskies and take up space in the paint. His strength makes up for his slightly undersized height down-low and that gives him the edge to play at the 5-spot this year. With the addition of experience and more time being trained by Dan Hurley, Sanogo has the potential to grow into playing a crucial big-man role for the Huskies in 2021 and beyond and early indications are really strong. According to reports, Sanogo dropped 22 pts on 8-13 shooting in a closed door scrimmage against Harvard recently and along with RJ Cole, is getting a lot of buzz for his offensive prowess as we approach the season.
With a potentially weaker offensive backcourt for the Huskies, at least to start the season, the frontcourt for the Huskies may need to carry some more scoring weight and they have the talent to do that. Along with Sanogo, Tyler Polley and Isaiah Whaley return for a 5th year and Akok Akok returns to try and redeem himself in his junior season after a tough last few years with injuries. The four in the frontcourt rotation are all athletic and 6’9″, so they provide a bit of length and flexibility. The other 2 frontcourt players on the roster are sophomore Richie Springs (also 6’9″) and freshman Samson Johnson, who comes in as the tallest of the group at 6’10”, but will likely have trouble getting playing time unless there are some injuries or he lights the world on fire.
If Sanogo can progress at the speed we hope and show more consistency (and less silly fouls), he can become a major factor in UConn’s success this season. I believe that if the Huskies are to make a deep run into the tournament this season, Adama Sanogo will be a big reason why.