A Cold Reception: Introducing the Connecticut Huskies' 2009 Freshman Class

The UConn Huskies are looking to regroup this year after making it to the final four last season.  The loss of A.J. Price, Jeff Adrien, and Hasheem Thabeet will be hard to replace, but this freshman class has the talent to fill many of the holes left by the big three.

Remember, the Huskies still have a core nucleus of players that will sure be there to guide these freshman and shape them into form by the time Big East conference play comes around.  Coach Calhoun and George Blaney will use their teaching skills and experience to make the transition to college level easier.

Senior leaders Jerome Dyson, Stanley Robinson, and Gavin Edwards will only make this young group better.  Playing against each other early on in practice this season will help gel the team together and make a statement with the departure of former teammates to the NBA.

The overall most talented recruit in this class is All-McDonald American All Star Alex Oriakhi.  A 6'9", 240 lbs power forward out of Tilton High School.  He has drawn comparisons to Emeka Okafor, who in his own right was one of the best basketball players to ever come out of UConn. 

It should be fun to see how Calhoun uses Oriakhi and rotates him into the lineup.

Next, is Oriakhi's high school teammate Jamal Coombs-McDaniel a 6'7", 210 lbs swingman who most likely will play at forward.  He is athletic and has both range and size to handle other forwards.  Having two recruits out of the same high school in Massachusetts must mean these kids can play.

Then there are two guards, Jamaal Trice and Darius Smith.  Both guards from a position standpoint but expect to totally different styles of play.

Trice who is from Los Angeles is a big strong guard listed at 6'5", 220 lbs.  He loves to take it to the basket and is willing to give up his body for any lose ball.  His style of play is one that Jim Calhoun embraces and that hustle will get him some playing time if he keeps it up.

Smith who comes from Chicago is a small speedy guard.  He is only 6'1", 168 lbs but watch out because he is a true defensive specialist.  He has quick hands and is always ready to attack the opponent.  Look for him to be in the game when there is serious pressure being forced on the opposing offense.

Last, but certainly not least is Ater Majok.  A 6'10", 233 lbs forward who can really do it all.  Listed as a freshman he has had some academic issues in the past but that is behind him. 

Look for Majok to make an impact when he is eligible to play starting in January.  He is from Australia and there are some scouts out there that he has the potential to be a Rudy Gay type playmaker.

This year's class has a lot of potential and is going to fill the void that was left by a 2008 team that almost made it three championships in 10 years.  Then again, with the experience this team still has, look for them to be a very talented team in the loaded Big East conference.