Jim Calhoun Optimistic About the Future

The announcement that Jim Calhoun will be coming back to coach the UConn Huskies next year is a comforting feeling for all Husky fans.  After this past year's ride that saw the Huskies lose in the final four, many believed that Calhoun had enough.

Guess again.  Calhoun, who turns 67 next month, is optimistic on the direction his young team is headed in.  He believes this current Huskies team has a lot of work to do, but it has the potential to be at the top of the Big East next year.

The healthy return of guard Jerome Dyson will bring senior leadership alongside forwards Stanley Robinson and Gavin Edwards.  These three are going to have to lead the way for the rest of the youth that represents this UConn team.

Dyson was playing exceptional when he went down against Syracuse.  Calhoun believes he has the game to prove to NBA scouts that he's worth a first round draft pick.  The way Dyson plays next season will affect his draft stock significantly. 

Stanley Robinson played excellent down the stretch.  He has come a long way in his time at Connecticut.  If he continues to play at the level he did during tournament time, the Huskies are sure to be a top contender.

Gavin Edwards is expected to see a lot of minutes in the Huskies frontcourt with the departure of senior Jeff Adrien and lottery pick Hasheem Thabeet.  If his game grows in the offseason he's going to have the opportunity to shine on the court.

UConn has a lot of youth on its team.  McDonald's All American Alex Oriahki and sophomore sensation Atar Majak expect to make immediate impacts on this team.  Majak will be eligible to play after the fall semester and he has been compared to Rudy Gay.

Oriahki is a power forward who has showed the ability to take over game down low.  If this transitions smoothly from high school to college, he's going to be a big help to this Uconn team.

Let's not forget about one of the premiere guards in the country.  Kemba Walker had a sensational year for the Huskies and there's no stopping him now. Walker was a big factor in the Elite Eight win over Missouri.  UConn will have a potent tandem in the backcourt next season with Dyson and Walker.

Calhoun has talked about playing tough teams out of conference, and for all the people who believe UConn plays all cupcake teams in the beginning of the season, this year is sure to be different.

UConn has a home game with Texas, and away at Michigan. They are also working on playing in the preseason NIT that will highlight teams such as Duke, LSU, and Arizona State.  There's also the talk of a Big East-SEC challenge that could potentially set up a matchup with Kentucky.

There's still the NCAA investigation looming around this UConn team but, due to the fact that Calhoun is back and ready to give it another go, I'm not too worried.  Calhoun is very optimistic about the future and he has every reason to be.