uconn: "UConn has always had a lot of talent": Analyst weighs in on Huskies' "multi-layer" setup with stacked depth

The UConn Huskies just broke a nine-year championship drought last season. Despite losing Paige Bueckers, Big East basketball insiders Tee Baker and Mark Zanetto believe Geno Auriemma's squad will not miss a beat next season.

On Friday's episode of "Big East Energy," Zanetto laid out UConn's "multi-layered" recruiting strategy, which has them set up to compete even after losing a star like Bueckers.

Then, Baker noted UConn's how UConn continues to stack up on elite-level talent in recruiting.

"You have four players on the top 15 of that recruiting class," Baker said. "Some of which were acquired and recruited out of high school. Some that were taken from the portal, like Allie Ziebell, so I think it's a lot of talent, and I think that comes with how do you manage talent. I think that UConn has always had a lot of talent." (14:45)

As Baker pointed out, Sarah Strong (No. 1), Alilie Ziebell (No. 7), Morgan Cheli (No. 11) and Kayleigh Heckel (No. 13) are all top 15 ranked players in the Hoop Girls rating.

The insider also said that having so much talent and managing it correctly allows players to compete in practice, giving the team another edge in competition.

UConn has won 12 national titles under Auriemma. It is the most championships of any programs in college basketball. They defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59 in April to earn their latest national title. Strong and Azzi Fudd led the way with 24 points each.

The Huskies added Wisconsin forward Serah Williams and USC guard Heckel in the transfer portal, while 4-star prospect Kelis Fisher will also be joining the squad this season.

UConn Huskies star Sarah Strong joined Team USA for 3x3 tournament

After a solid freshman season and a national title, Sarah Strong capped it off by representing the US in 3x3 basketball at the Marseille Women's Series, played at the French city. She was joined on the team by Cierra Burdick, Mikaylah Williams and Sahara Williams.

Expand Tweet

The United States finished in sixth place in the tournament, which was ultimately won by Spain. The US won its first four games of the tournament, but could not get past the quarterfinals. The Spanish team overwhelmed the Americans en route to a 20-12 win.

Strong averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in her freshman season at UConn. She was also a defensive force, with 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks for the Huskies. Her two-way production is one of the main reasons she will be joining Team USA.

This was not Strong's first 3x3 tournament, as she is already a three-time FIBA 3x3 U18 Women's World Cup champion.

About the author

Allan Wolburg Robles is a College Sports journalist at Sportskeeda with over 17 years of experience in the field writing for publications including Reforma, Yahoo! OddsShark and Apuesta. Allan studied Communications at Anáhuac University, where he learned what would become the basis of a trade that was already a dream of his before starting college.

His favorite team is Army West Point as when he was young, Allan lived in West Point for a couple of years, went to pretty much every home game, a couple of Army-Navy games and even got to meet some of the players.

Allan's favorite players of all time include Tommie Frazier, who was unbelievable during the Nebraska dynasty of the early 90's. Tim Tebow was also a favorite, mainly because of his leadership skills, although he was also awesome on the football field. As a fan of defensive football, (or what's left of it), Sean Taylor could take over a game for Miami.

Allan has always considered himself a student of the game more than a fan of it. So the historical part and evolution of the game, as well as the ins and outs of what happens on the field, and being able to put it into words for the audience, are his biggest strengths.

Besides sports, Allan enjoys reading books, watching movies and spending time with his dogs.

Know More

Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey - who is NCAAW's highest-paid coach? Find out here

Edited by Brad Taningco