New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Huskies’ roster athletic and deep
There is now a defined start date to the 2020-21 season. And, with the NCAA approving a waiver for Tyrese Martin to play right away, UConn now has a defined 13-man roster.
What can we expect from that roster? Athleticism, depth, talent, competition at nearly every position, the ability to consistently apply full-court pressure.
In short, for the first time since Dan Hurley took over the reins 21⁄2 years ago, the
Huskies have a team that will be able to play his type of style. Exactly the type of team Hurley wants.
Martin is an intriguing final piece of the puzzle, a 6-foot-6 perimeter player who is as athletic as anyone on the roster and is a highlevel defender and finisher. He’s a big, strong, mature (age 21) wing, but can also play guard or small-ball four-man. Envision a lineup at times with Martin and sharpshooter Tyler Polley on the floor with dynamic two-guard James Bouknight and, say, R.J. Cole at point and Josh Carlton at center. That’s a lineup that can score at every position, from all over the floor, and still has pretty good overall size, particularly at guard.
Martin is talented and versatile — indeed, a good representation of the entire UConn roster. There is so much depth here that one could imagine multiple starting lineups throughout the season. There will be competition for playing time almost everywhere.
“That’s the way it should be here,” Hurley said. “I was talking to Kevin Freeman and Taliek (Brown) about the history (at UConn). There should be guys competing for minutes. Good players will have to come off the bench.”
About the only guaranteed starter at this point is Bouknight, the sophomore who could be an NBA draft lottery pick next spring. Everywhere else, there is healthy competition. At point guard, Cole, a junior who sat out last season as a