Five fabulous Huskies
After adding a 7-footer to round out their 2023 class, UConn has big goals in mind. Plus, the AAC released in conference schedule, a new transfer rule, and more.
Our apologies. You shouldn’t have to watch a Thursday Night Football game without a backup plan in case the game stinks. Starting next week, you’ll have The Almanac handy. Phew.
Let’s get to the news.
THREE POINTERS
1. UConn’s 2023 recruiting class is kind of a big deal
Connecticut’s poised to make a run at the 2022-23 Big East title behind the likes of Adama Sanogo. But even bigger things may be ahead.
The Huskies grabbed their fifth commitment in the class of 2023 on Wednesday when 7-footer Youssouf Singare announced he’ll head to Storrs. That gives UConn five players in a single class, a top 3 group, per 247. That’s 5-star Stephon Castle along with 4-stars Solomon Ball, Jaylin Stewart (who committed last week), Jayden Ross and Singare.
Yes, some even dub it the UConn Fab 5, right down to mimicking famous photos, as suggested by UConn coach Dan Hurley. No pressure there.
Singare’s a 4-star prospect who’s raw offensively, but can be an impact player on defense. He’s active as a shot blocker and alters shots with his size and mobility.
“I made UConn my choice because I felt they were constantly calling and checking on me the most,” Singare told 247Sports. “I felt so comfortable with the entire coaching staff as far as their vision matching what I want to do when I go to play college basketball.”
Also in Wednesday’s recruiting news:
Oklahoma State lassoed Justin McBride, a 6-7 forward. The 3-star prospect joins top-40 recruit Brandon Garrison and 3-star combo guard Jamyron Keller in the 2023 class.
2. Games to highlight on the AAC schedule
The American Athletic Conference schedule dropped Wednesday. As one might expect, league favorite and national title contender Houston will be on TV quite a bit — they only have six games on ESPN+ — and even will be on CBS twice for games against Cincinnati and Memphis.
Not a bad way for the Cougars to close out their conference tenure. What else is on tap for AAC, which has at least 23 games on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU? The AAC’s true home-and-home scheduling ensures every team plays each other twice, so there isn’t a singular must-see game on the schedule.
But that season finale sure comes awfully close.
Biggest game: Houston at Memphis, March 5
It’s a showdown on CBS featuring the league’s two premier teams. The last couple of seasons provided plenty of fireworks between the two: The Tigers won both of their 2022 matchups, while Tramon Mark’s half-court shot burst Memphis’s tournament bubble in 2021.
Expect NBA scouts to be watching these two teams as well. Both are loaded with enough talent to make deep NCAA Tournament runs. Memphis’ Kendric Davis and DeAndre Williams against Houston backcourt Marcus Sasser and Jamal Shead? That’s appointment television.
Best sleeper game: Cincinnati at Tulane, Feb. 7
Who’s the AAC’s third-best team? For my money, it’s either Cincinnati or Tulane. This game in New Orleans could solidify the next best team behind the already established top two. The Green Wave’s two go-to scorers Jaylen Forbes and Jalen Cook look to earn Tulane its first NCAA Tournament bid since 1995.
The Bearcats showed promise in Wes Miller’s first season, finishing 18-15, but lost eight of its final 10 games. Starting guards Jeremiah Davenport and David DeJulius return, while Memphis transfer Landers Nolley, Indiana transfer Rob Phinisee and Old Dominion transfer Kalu Ezikpe bolster the talent level. If the Bearcats improve on their 31.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc, expect big things.
A key stretch for Memphis
This is just tough. From Feb. 19 to Feb. 26, the Tigers play Houston and Wichita State in LOUD road games back to back then host Cincinnati the following week. Those three games could decide whether Memphis makes the tournament — or secures itself a fairly decent NCAA Tournament seed.
SMU at Tulane, Feb. 1
Houston at Wichita State, Feb. 2
Memphis at Houston, Feb. 19
Memphis at Wichita State, Feb. 23
Cincinnati at Memphis, Feb. 26
Memphis at SMU, March 2
3. NCAA adjusts portal for graduates
As first reported last week, the NCAA modified its transfer rules for graduate students: Students who will enroll at another school after graduating can enter the transfer portal at any time. Kind of.
From the release:
After today's Council action, student-athletes who plan to compete the following year as postgraduate students are exempt from those windows. Today's action does not exempt the students from implications associated with the decision to enter the Transfer Portal, including the reduction or cancellation of athletics financial aid for their next academic term.
This change is effective immediately. There’s also a deadline to enter the portal: May 1. (If you’re enrolling at a new school, one would hope you know where that school is by May 1.)
This should not only encourage graduation (you want to play somewhere else? Get that degree) but also help coaches prep rosters before the portal officially opens in mid-March.
THE DTF PODCAST
What to make of Emoni Bates?
There isn’t a simple position to take on Emoni Bates.
The former 5-star prospect struggled at Memphis last season and transferred back home to Ypsilanti, Michigan, to attend Eastern Michigan. Then he was arrested Sunday night, and charged with carrying a concealed weapon after a traffic stop. Bates is currently suspended pending the outcome of his case (his next court date is Oct. 6).
So what’s next? There’s a lot to unpack, so Terrence Oglesby, Rob Dauster and John Fanta did their best to lay it all out.
Subscribe to The Field of 68 on YouTube here and to subscribe here to the DTF podcast.
THE FAST BREAK
Links as you cobble together money to buy the Phoenix Suns.
Overtime Elite created its own four-team league with high school teams Hillcrest Prep, Our Saviour Lutheran, and Word of God.
Bruce Pearl says Auburn’s new hoops practice facility is on hold so the school can prioritize NIL.
After expenses, UCLA will lose money by moving to the Big Ten, the Pac-12’s George Kliavkoff claims.
ASUN Commissioner Ted Gumbart will retire next August after 16 years at the helm and 32 with the league overall.
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Evan Ashe committed to Binghamton yesterday. Huge get for them.