Super Scintillating Selections Top 30 Countdown: #13 UConn Huskies

Let the fun begin. The next 13 teams all have a legitimate chance to win it all. The other 17 do as well, but I would call them more of a tier 1b whereas this next group will be tier 1a.

We are in for quite the ride here because there are really no teams that stand out as a sure favorite to take home the trophy. The beautiful thing about being uncertain? We get to figure it out together. I lay everything you need to know and consider out for you on a platter and you get to choose for yourself how far you want a team to go.

Day 18 of the Super Scintillating Selections will feature Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies. I have a feeling I'm going to get some backlash here from UConn fans or any big time college basketball fan because everyone else seems to be so high on them. They are a good team there is no doubt about that and they are one of the teams that comes to mind when thinking of potential national champions, but there are a couple worries I have with them that I don't have with other teams that we will see down the road.

The Huskies have a 22-7 overall record and an 11-7 record in the Big East, putting them in the five spot in conference standings. With two conference games remaining, they will be seeking two wins to help their chances to improve their seeding for both the Big East and NCAA tournament. I would say they will fall anywhere between a 4-5 seed for the Big Dance, and will be one of the more dangerous 4-5 seeds in the bracket.

Let's get into it.

Why can the Huskies party like it's 2014 when it's all said and done?

1. Well-balanced meal. Every single team that we have covered throughout these rankings have been unbalanced in some way shape or form. Good on offense, but not so hot on defense or vice versa. The Huskies are a well balanced team, they defend well, and can score the ball at a high rate. Now, they are not the best on offense percentage wise, but will KILL you on the offensive glass and dominate the second chance points battle, ranking #1 in the nation in offensive rebound per game. Uconn also defends the three ball unlike any other team, holding opponents to less than 4 three pointers per game, good enough for #2 in the nation. Good luck to any team that tries to gain the momentum back by hitting threes against this team, not gonna happen.

1. Star Power. The one-two punch of Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins surely has the power to knock you out. Adama Sanogo, a 6 '9 forward, will take your lunch money and then push you aside while Hawkins waits on his hands and knees to complete the table top trip. Sanogo grabs over seven rebounds a game, averages 16.9 PPG, and can extend his game behind the arc, shooting at a 37% clip from three. Jordan Hawkins might be the most improved player in the nation. Averaging only 5.8 PPG last year, 33% from three, and 35% from the field. He has turned those numbers on their head, averaging 16.6 PPG this year, shooting 39% from three, and 41.4% from the field. Studs.

What’s holding them back?

1. Coaching. UConn fans, hold your fire. In no way, shape, or form am I calling your beloved Dan Hurley a bad coach. That would be a lie if I was doing that. However, I am referencing the fact that he is yet to prove himself in the tournament. How do you prove yourself? Well, you do exactly what he's doing and coach up a great team and prepare them as best you can to make a run in March. I may have to have him prove it to me before I can pick him to do it. With there being a ton of variance this year I will be leaning toward taking an experienced/proven coach, with experienced/proven guards to win it all.

1. Fouls(x19). UConn fouls almost 19 times a game. That certainly won't win them any games, but it will lose them games. Undisciplined defense, especially in late game situations, is a one way ticket to heartbreak, just ask Samir Doughty and the 2018-2019 Auburn tigers.

Again, UConn very well could make a deep run in the tournament, they certainly have the skill to do so. But can Dan Hurley get over the hump? Only time will tell.

My Prediction: Sweet 16

Next Game: 3/1 vs. DePaul