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NCAA basketball: Big East basketball bold predictions for 2020-2021

By Cody Williams

Jan 7, 2020; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (24) defends against the Creighton Bluejays in the first half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2020; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (24) defends against the Creighton Bluejays in the first half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big East basketball
Connecticut Huskies. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Big East basketball Sleeper Team: UConn Huskies

After a hiatus of playing in the American Athletic Conference, the Connecticut Huskies are getting back to the place where they made their bones, the Big East. And while they may not be on the level of teams like Creighton and Villanova, head coach Dan Hurley has a group that has the goods to be highly competitive in every matchup that they come into.

At the heart of what UConn could accomplish this season is sophomore guard James Bouknight. In his first season under Hurley, the versatile 6-foot-5 wing was able to put up 13 points per game despite being used somewhat sparingly early in the year. As his role increased, so did his effectiveness as he also averaged 4.1 boards er game and shot over 46 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from long range.

Along with a potential breakout season for Bouknight in a bigger role in his second college season, the Huskies have RJ Coles and a host of athletic playmakers on the roster. Even it isn’t a group of top-to-bottom stars, Hurley has the most talent to work with that the UConn program has seen in a few years.

It should again be said that the Huskies aren’t likely to win the conference. Even so, their return to Big East basketball should be quite fruitful. Connecticut has the baseline talent to potentially surprise and challenge for a top-two finish in the conference.