UConn Basketball: 5 Reasons the Huskies Can Still Repeat

The UConn Huskies are the defending national champions from a year ago, but have struggled mightily this season as they try to defend their title. Judging by their recent play, there is absolutely no way anyone in their right mind would pick this team to repeat. 

But the Huskies do have a few things going for them, and when and if they end up making the big dance, you better believe this will be a tough team to knock out. UConn may have a sub-par 17-10 record right now and are ranked ninth in the Big East, but don't count this group out just yet.

Here are a few reasons why the Huskies can defend their title and add another national championship in the rafters.

The Bigs

If you have big bodies underneath the basket that can get those easy put-backs and fight for those rebounds, you have a chance to make it far in the tournament. Rebounding is key to winning in the big dance, and the Huskies are ranked 34th in the country and third in the Big East in that department.

Freshman Andre Drummond is one of the most athletic big men in the entire country and he can flat up go get it with the best of them. He averaged 7.6 boards a game and has picked up double-digit rebounds in eight games this season.

Alex Oriakhi was one of the most underrated players on last year's national championship team, and he's playing well again this season by averaging nearly seven points and five rebounds a game. He'll give you those minutes you need from your big and shoots a high percentage from the field.

Let's also not forget about Tyler Olander and Roscoe Smith who are quality bench players and seem to always make key plays in the Huskies victories.

These may not exactly be household names, but these are effective players and will be a big part if the Huskies are able to repeat.

Jeremy Lamb

Sure, I would love for the sophomore to step up more from a leadership standpoint, but he's still one of the best scorers in the country. His 17.9 points per game is 49th best in the country and the third highest in the Big East.

He's capable of going off at any point in the game and has one of the most pure jump shots in the league. Lamb is also a calm player that doesn't get rattled easy. Ice water runs through his veins and you won't see him cave under pressure very often.

There's a reason many had predicted he would make the All-American team before the season started.

When you have a star player like Lamb on your team, a player who's capable of taking over the game, you will always have a chance to win any game you're playing.

Guard Play

Along with rebounding and solid free-throw shooting, great guard play is also needed to make a run in the tournament. Connecticut may not be as good as they were last season with Kemba Walker running the show, but they are pretty deep in this department. 

Along with Lamb, UConn has solid guards in Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright. Both are averaging double digits this season, rebound extremely well for their size and defend well as they average a little over a steal a game each.

They both shoot a high percentage from the free-throw line (which is important considering this team has struggled from the line) and can stroke it well from beyond the arc. Both of these players will pick your pocket if you're not careful and they don't back down from anybody.

Napier and Botright only have a combined three years of experience between them, but the Huskies have to be comfortable with them on the floor.

Boatright the X-Factor

I know I just talked about Boatright a bit in the last slide, but I think the freshman guard deserves his own slide. This young man, who's only played in 18 games so far, is really impressing me as the days go by and has the talent to really make a name for himself. 

Not only does he average 10 points per contest and grab over three rebounds a game, despite being barely 6'0" tall. But he plays lock-down defense and will hit the big shot when the Huskies need it the most.

He's shooting 44 percent from the field, 70 percent from the line and a solid 41 percent from beyond the arc. He's only a freshman that didn't see his first minutes until the seventh game of the season.

With a team that settles for a lot of jumpers, Boatright and his speed allow him to get to the cup and either score an easy layup or get to the free-throw line. He creates for his teammates, scores, plays defense and doesn't shy away from the big moment. He reminds me a lot of Lamb last season when Walker was the man on the team.

This young man from Aurora, Illinois has the talent to really take his game to the next level and will be the X-factor if the Huskies are going to make a tournament run.

It's the NCAA Tournament

If you are still not convinced that the Huskies have the talent to win the tournament, remember that it's the NCAA Tournament and they don't exactly have to be the best team to win it all.

Just make it into the tournament and they have as good a shot as any of the other 67 teams do.

Who cares if they've lost seven of their last 10 games and lost to a 12-16 Rutgers team? Once you make the tournament, nothing matters except the game that's currently in front of them.

With a young team that has a lot of experience from last year, a lot of talent on the roster and a hall of fame coach that should be back soon, I wouldn't count this team out just yet.

Randy Chambers is a B/R featured columnist. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail].