Schedules and Freshmen: Big East

UConn: Schedule

Big Games: 12/8 vs. Harvard, 2/11 @ Syracuse, 2/25 vs. Syracuse, 3/3 vs. Pittsburgh

UConn has virtually no challenge games in their non-con schedule so winning against Harvard at home (and at the Battle 4 Atlantis against the Crimson or FSU) is a must to get a good NCAA tournament seeding.  If the Huskies start slow in conference like last year’s team, winning three late season games against Syracuse and Pittsburgh are a must for finishing at the top of the heap in the Big East for the first time since 2006.

Freshmen: Obviously the headliner is almost-certain lottery pick and late commit Andre Drummond whose size and skill is certainly far above-average, perhaps even far above that.  He immediately upon his commitment catapulted UConn back into the national title discussion and could be a star for them this year in the post alongside Alex Oriakhi.  He is not, however, the only talented freshmen arriving in Storrs this fall.  SF DeAndre Daniels ought to also be able to make an impact with his speed and scoring ability right away.  PG Ryan Boatright ought to slide right into a backup position behind returning Shabazz Napier, and his excellent ball-handling makes him a backup that almost any school would be thrilled to have.

Providence: Schedule

Big Games: 11/14 @ Fairfield, 12/27 @ St. John’s, 1/7 vs. Seton Hall, 2/11 vs. So. Florida

For a Providence team trying to wait out the year until Ricardo Ledo and Kris Dunn show up as part of 2012’s #6 class (ESPN), these games can give some indication of the promise in their current roster.  Fairfield will be a solid team in the MAAC (built by PC’s new coach) and a win on the road there would be a great one for the Friars to secure.  In order to set themselves apart from the rest of the conference’s bottom teams, PC will need to pick up wins against their fellows in that part of the conference.  winning early in conference against St. John’s and promising Seton Hall would go a long way, especially if they can also beat USF as the season moves into its later stages.  

Freshmen: SF LaDontae Henton may struggle with the athletic abilities of his new conference opponents, but does have the potential to be effective on the glass or running the floor. Athletic PF Brice Kofane will give the Friars some much needed size off the bench right away. If and when he becomes eligible, PG Kiwi Gardner will be very useful off the bench, although his lack of size may hamper him against bigger lineups.