Connecticut Basketball: 10 Bold Predictions for Jim Calhoun's Crew in 2011-12

The 2010 season ended with the Connecticut Huskies cutting down the nets in Houston.

Kemba Walker blossomed into a superstar, Jeremy Lamb made major progress, and Jim Calhoun was able to get his young and inexperienced team to buy into his system.

Heading into 2011, the Huskies are without their star player Walker, but the supporting cast has one more year of experience under their belts.

Here are ten bold predictions for the 2011 Connecticut Huskies:

Jeremy Lamb Will Be an All-American Candidate

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Connecticut Huskies dunks the ball against the Butler Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Tex

In 2010, Jeremy Lamb played Robin to Kemba Walker's Batman.

In 2011, Lamb will need to assume the role of Batman for Jim Calhoun.

The lanky wing showed great progress throughout his freshman season, especially when it came to the Big East tournament and the NCAA tournament.

He showed the ability to get to the rim and also the ability to knock down open shots from the perimeter.

Without Walker this season, Lamb will need to take the next step toward becoming a star.

I believe Lamb will show the ability to take games over, and will have his name right next to the great players in college basketball in 2011.

I see him being one of the fifteen players named as All-Americans by season's end.

Shabazz Napier Will Make a Defensive Name for Himself

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Shabazz Napier #13 of the Connecticut Huskies goes up for a shot over Zach Hahn #3 of the Butler Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4,

Shabazz Napier averaged almost two steals per game in 2010.

While mainly coming off the bench in order to move Walker to shooting guard, Napier was able to provide energy and a spark for the Huskies' defense.

In 2011, Napier will have to be able to run the offense for the Huskies, while also being that lockdown on the ball defender he proved to be in his freshman season.

Without their superstar on offense, the Huskies may have to rely more on defense to win basketball games, and Napier will play a big part in that.

I believe Napier will make a name for himself as one of the most stingy and pesky on the ball defenders in  college basketball in 2011.

Alex Oriakhi Will Be First-Team All Big East

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Alex Oriakhi #34 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after a dunk against the Butler Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houst

Alex Oriakhi averaged almost ten points and almost eight rebounds per game in 2010.

A potentially dominant post presence, Oriakhi looks to put his names next to the likes of Emeka Okafor, Josh Boone, Hilton Armstrong, and even Hasheem Thabeet as dominant interior presences in Storrs, Connecticut.

Oriakhi is a huge, physically imposing player down low. If he can refine his post moves and develop more touch around the rim, he could take the next step for the Connecticut program.

Combine his offense with his shot-blocking ability, and Oriakhi has a chance to have a dominant season in the Big East.

Possibly dominant enough, to be All-Big East by season's end.

Andre Drummond Will Sign with the Huskies Despite NCAA Crackdown

Andre Drummond is listed as the top recruit in the 2012 class by espn.com.

The 2011 Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Connecticut, Drummond has listed the hometown Huskies as one of his favorites.

A dominant big man, Drummond could have the ability to be the next Connecticut superstar. He has the ability to dunk the ball home in the paint, or step out and knock down mid-range shots.

I believe Drummond will keep things close to home and sign with the Huskies in 2011, despite the scandal currently surrounding the program.

He could be the last major recruit Jim Calhoun lands in Storrs.

George Blaney Will Coach More Than Five Games

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 19: Associate Head Coach George Blaney of the Connecticut Huskies reacts during the game against the Chattanooga Mocs during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Wachovia Center on March 19, 2009

Due to semi-frequent health concerns, George Blaney has had to take over on the sidelines in the past for the Huskies.

The associate head coach at Connecticut, Blaney made his mark as a head coach in 2010 when the Huskies defeated the Texas Longhorns, who were number one in the nation at the time.

With scandalous rumors swirling and Calhoun's health still a questionable issue at times, look for Blaney's role to continue to be a primary role.

I look for Blaney to coach more than five games in 2011 as the stress of the NCAA investigations takes it's toll on Calhoun mentally.

After all, it's not like Blaney has not proven himself.

Uconn Will Win the Big East Regular Season

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies looks on from the sidelines against the Butler Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4,

While teams like Syracuse may be favored to win the Big East in 2011, I believe the Huskies can once again win the regular season title.

Freshman such as Lamb and Napier now have a winning attitude and one more year of experience under their belts.

Alex Oriakhi is primed to take over as the leader of this team on both ends of the floor, and role players such as Roscoe Smith appear ready to take the steps necessary to be the glue on a Big East squad.

Granted the Huskies will be without Kemba Walker in 2011, but I believe that will bring this team together and possibly make them play with a chip on their shoulder.

Everyone expects the Huskies to struggle offensively without their go-to-guy, but I anticipate a cohesive unit on offense and another star in the making in Jeremy Lamb.

Uconn Will Lose the Big East Tournament

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies talks to his team against the Kentucky Wildcats during the National Semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at Reliant Stadium on April 2, 2011 in

While I believe the Huskies will win the regular season, I do think this team will hit a bump in the road shortly after.

The Big East tournament is a long, grueling trek toward a conference title.

Connecticut managed to win the title in 2010, and rode the momentum all the way to the national championship victory.

I do think the Huskies have another very successful season, but without their leader in Walker, I think they falter down the stretch.

Whether the tournament loss helps them in the big dance or not is yet to be seen, but I have a feeling Jim Calhoun will have his team ready for March Madness.

Uconn Will Have a Five or Lower Seed for the NCAA Tournament

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Shabazz Napier #13 and Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Butler Bulldogs to win the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament by a sc

Despite the Big East tournament loss, the Huskies will have a regular season good enough to earn a top five seed in the NCAA tournament.

Last season, the Huskies worth was doubted heading into the season but the Huskies used that to their advantage to turn in a great season that culminated into a championship.

Jim Calhoun is a master at getting raw project type players to buy into his system and play hard, scrappy basketball.

When Calhoun manages to get a star, as he has Lamb now, it makes his teams very tough to beat.

I don't expect a deep run into the 2011 tournament, but I do think they have a regular season that earns them a higher seed.

What they do after that is up to them.

Uconn Will Lead the Nation in Blocked Shots

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WASHINGTON - MARCH 19: Alex Oriakhi #34 of the Connecticut Huskies and Rashad Bishop #22 of the Cincinnati Bearcats fight for a rebound during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Verizon Center on March 19, 2011 in Washington,

Led by Alex Oriakhi, Charles Okwando, and Tyler Olander, the Huskies will lead the NCAA in blocked shots.

While the Huskies have gained a reputation for blocking shots over the years under Jim Calhoun, this year will be no different.

Playing an aggressive and physical style down low, the Huskies play great help defense and are very good at blocking shots without committing the foul.

Oriakhi is ready to be the defensive presence Calhoun needs to shut down the paint, if Okwandu and Olander can play develop on defense, Calhoun may continue the Huskies shot-blocking trend.

Jim Calhoun Will Retire After the 2011 Season

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HARTFORD, CT - FEBRUARY 13: Coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies reacts during a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at the XL Center on February 13, 2010 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Amid reports concerning an uncertain future with the Huskies, I expect Jim Calhoun to call it quits after this season.

Calhoun has proven to be one of the best coaches in the Big East during his 25 year reign on the Huskies' sidelines.

He has assembled a resume that includes three national championships, seven Big East tournament championships, and nine Big East regular season championships.

With the allegations concerning NCAA recruiting violations swirling, and his health always a concern, I think the time as come for Calhoun to hang it up and walk away.

He has a proven assistant coach in Blaney, and a young group of players that will be able to maintain success without his presence.

Calhoun will not be able to go out in top ethical standing, but at least he can go out with more wins and maybe one more Big East regular season title.