No. 4 UConn Huskies: Projected Rotation & Season Outlook
Dan Hurley proved why he should be considered the best coach in the country last season. He was able to take a team that most people would say was not one of the most talented and take a Michigan team, who rolled through everyone else, to the brink in the National Championship. The Huskies also knocked off Michigan State, Duke and Illinois in their attempt to win a third title in four years.
Coach Hurley was able to retain some solid pieces like Silas Demary, Braylon Mullins and Jayden Ross, all of which who will likely be starters. He also found some big contributors in the transfer portal like Nikolas Khamenia, Najai Hines and Nils Machowski. Hines is probably the most interesting piece, as he will be tasked with replacing Tarris Reed right out of the gate. The Seton Hall transfer had a very productive season in limited minutes off the bench as a freshman, but the upside is exceptionally high considering the way Hurley has developed bigs in his career.
Freshmen recruits Colben Landrew and Junior County were both ranked in the consensus Top 50 and will likely be called on to produce down the line. Their development will probably determine UConn's ultimate ceiling.
The pieces are definitely here for coach Hurley to work with, but he will have to maximize everything to get his team where he wants to go. Considering his body of work of late, it's hard to think he won't. The Huskies are the clear favorites to win the Big East and will be an extremely difficult out for anyone they might face in the NCAA Tournament.
Check out how injuries are affecting the status of other players & teams on RotoWire's college basketball injury report.
2026-27 UConn Basketball Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Silas Demary (10.1 PPG, 5.9 APG)
SG: Braylon Mullins (12.0 PPG, 2.2 3PM)
SF: Jayden Ross (4.6 PPG)
PF: Nikolas Khamenia (5.7 PPG at Duke)
C: Najai Hines (6.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.2 BPG at Seton Hall)
Key Reserves: Nils Machowski (17.2 PPG, 2.8 3PM at Wofford), Oskar Giltay (3.3 PPG at Stanford), Jaye Nash (5.1 PPG at Jacksonville State), Colben Landrew (No. 32 in SC Next 100), Junior County (No. 39 in SC Next 100), Isaiah Shaw (8.1 PPG at Northern Arizona)
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