STORRS — Dan Hurley isn’t going to avoid expectations when it comes to James Bouknight.
Not in UConn’s first season back in the Big East.
Not after Bouknight was a double-figure scorer in 12 of his final 13 games last season as a freshman.
“He wants to be the next man up here,” Hurley said of the 6-5 Bouknight after a Saturday morning practice at Gampel Pavilion. “He’s got a great understanding of the moment. Now, he’s got to take advantage of it.”
After averaging 13 points and 4.1 rebounds last season as a freshman, Bouknight is in position to be one of the best guards in the country as a sophomore. The stage though, is also as bigger as UConn returns to the Big East after spending the past few years in the American Athletic Conference.
The Huskies — who have won four national titles since 1999 — have not been to the NCAA Tournament since 2016.
In many ways, Bouknight could be the anchor for a program that’s itching to return to national relevance in Hurley’s third season at the helm.
“He understands the moment that’s at hand right now,” Hurley said of Bouknight. “He’s got a real sense of what’s at stake right now. We’re joined at the hip. We’re not here just to serve in just his interests as he chases his dream in getting to the NBA. We’re in this thing together and we both know that the only way we’re going to get what we both want is by winning.”
UConn has significantly recalibrated its roster, thanks to the additions of two transfers — R.J. Cole (Howard) and Tyrese Martin (Rhode Island) — as well as two impact freshmen in Andre Jackson and Adama Sanogo. Veterans Tyler Polley, Jalen Gaffney, Brendan Adams, Josh Carlton, and Isaiah Whaley are other reliable pieces that figure to push for places in the Huskies’ rotation while sophomore Akok Akok is still recovering from an achilles injury.
The Huskies are currently ranked 23rd in the ROTHSTEIN 45.
