Breaking down UConn’s roster
Huskies bring back plenty of talent while adding another highly rated freshman class
UConn is in a familiar position for the 2021-22 season.
Geno Auriemma’s team is loaded with talent. Nearly the entire roster is back, including all five starters. On the heels of a 13th straight trip to the Final Four, the Huskies will be a popular pick to top the polls next November.
Here’s a closer look at the group, with a player-by-player breakdown.
PAIGE BUECKERS, FR., G, 5-11
What’s left to say? Bueckers had a sensational season, arguably the best of any freshman in NCAA history. She averaged 20.0 points, 5.8 assists, 2.2 steals and swept all the major awards for which she was eligible, including the Wooden and Naismith.
What’s next?: Bueckers’ game should be even more polished with another year of seasoning. There’s no doubt she will remain the focal point. As she goes, so will the Huskies.
AUTUMN CHASSION, FR., G, 5-8
The walk-on rarely saw the
court, playing only 15 minutes before she was shut down with a leg injury.
What’s next?: Chassion’s roster spot is on a year-to-year basis. She could return, but it’s likely she finds more playing time elsewhere.
AALIYAH EDWARDS, FR., F, 6-3
The freshman from Canada won Big East Sixth Woman of the Year, but really made her mark as a starter in the NCAA Tournament. Edwards averaged 18 points on 22 of 26 shooting in wins over High Point, Syracuse and Iowa. Her efficiency, physicality, and athleticism were impressive.
What’s next?: Edwards, a highcharacter big who plays both ends of the floor, will be a key part of the Huskies’ core moving forward.
PIATH GABRIEL, FR., F, 6-5
Gabriel was brought along slowly, playing predominantly mop-up minutes as she learned the nuances of the college game. She got into 22 games, collecting 15 points and 12 rebounds.
What’s next?: Gabriel remains a project, but the Huskies certainly would like to see more growth in Year 2.
AUBREY GRIFFIN, SOPH., F, 6-1
Griffin cracked the starting lineup for five games in January, but she wasn’t really the same after injuring her knee in practice. Overall, her numbers — 6.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals — were very similar to her freshman season. The Huskies would like to see more consistency from her in all areas.
What’s next?: Even with the influx of talent, Griffin will likely remain a key part of the rotation. Her defense, length, and versatility are all big pluses. She was an X-factor in the Elite Eight against Baylor.
ANNA MAKURAT, SOPH., G, 6-2
The Poland native played in the first nine games, starting six, before missing six weeks with a stress fracture in her right leg. She was used sparingly in the postseason, averaging only 9.2 minutes off the bench, and scored a high of six points. All in all, it was a tough year for a player who showed steady growth down the stretch as a freshman.
What’s next?: Makurat announced Tuesday she will be transferring. With the breakout of the freshmen, the return of Evina Westbrook, and next year’s incoming class, minutes were going to be hard to come by.
MIR MCLEAN, FR., G, 5-11
McLean showed promise, but only in flashes. She’s similar to Griffin, a combo guard who is best when attacking the basket. She scored 10 points in the opener against UMass Lowell, but didn’t crack double figures again.
What’s next?: Best case, McLean could fit Griffin’s role this season as a high-energy option off the bench.
NIKA MUHL, FR., G, 5-10
When healthy, the pass-first, defensive-minded guard from Croatia was a spark plug. She left a mark with her intensity and effort, traits that didn’t always appear in the box score. Her 40 steals were third most on the team.
What’s next?: Muhl will have a prominent role in a crowded backcourt, either as a starter or the top option off the bench. But she’ll need to avoid the injury bug.
OLIVIA NELSON-ODODA, JR., C, 6-5
Nelson-Ododa had a mostly solid season, but again struggled against top-flight competition. She got into foul trouble early in the Final Four loss to Arizona and wound up playing only 21 minutes, her fewest since the Huskies’ only other loss, to Arkansas. She led the team in rebounding (7.8) and blocked shots (1.7).
What’s next?: Nelson-Ododa will likely remain the primary option in the post, though she needs to be more effective against better teams.
SAYLOR POFFENBARGER, FR., F, 6-2
Thanks to an NCAA loophole created by the pandemic, Poffenbarger, a four-star prospect in the Class of 2021, was able to enroll early in January. She didn’t play much, but got valuable practice time without burning a year of eligibility.
What’s next?: After getting a head start on her collegiate career, Poffenbarger could carve out a role as a rotational wing.
EVINA WESTBROOK, JR., G, 6-0
The Tennessee transfer was an unsung hero, a selfless guard who embraced her role as the team’s oldest player. Bueckers called her the team’s MVP. Westbrook, 22, was second on the team in assists (128) and third in both rebounds (141) and minutes per game (30.6).
What’s next?: Westbrook, a projected first-round pick, bypassed the WNBA Draft to return for her final season of eligibility. Her veteran leadership will remain invaluable, as will her knack for doing the dirty work and little things necessary to win.
CHRISTYN WILLIAMS, JR., G, 5-11
The former No. 1 recruit started to come into her own late in the season, emerging as a lockdown defender in addition to a reliable scorer. She was the Huskies’ best player against Arizona, finishing with a team-high 20 points.
What’s next?: Williams will look to build on a year in which she averaged a career-high 16.3 points. The Huskies will need her to help take some of the pressure off Bueckers, as she did at times this season.
NEW ADDITIONS
The Huskies will welcome in another highly acclaimed recruiting class, headlined by St. John’s College High School (D.C.) guard Azzi Fudd, the Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year. Fudd is another transcendent talent, a lethal mid-range shooter who’s been forecast by some to be a better prospect than her good friend, Bueckers.
Fudd will be joined by Massachusetts guard Caroline Ducharme and New York forward Amari DeBerry. Both are five-star recruits who should help early.
Their arrival, coupled with the departure of Makurat, will bring the roster to 13 scholarship players. That’s more than most years. Geno Auriemma traditionally prefers to keep a tighter rotation closer to seven or eight, especially later in the season.
That said, expect the Huskies to peruse the transfer market, particularly for help in the frontcourt.