Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Jim Calhoun doesn't have a reputation for sugarcoating his observations.
The UConn men's basketball coach told reporters during the Big East Media Day that freshman big man Alex Oriakhi "has to be" an impact freshman for the Huskies this season.
The video is streamed on the Hartford Courant's website.
Oriakhi, a McDonald's All-American and New Hampshire's Gatorade Player of the Year last year, is a Lowell resident. The 6-foot-9 forward/center graduated from the Tilton School this past spring after helping lead the basketball team to a Prep National title and a 29-2 record.
UConn has to replace center Hasheem Thabeet, the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft, and power forward Jeff Adrien.
Thabeet won back-to-back Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors as well as back-to-back NABC National Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was also the Big East Co-Player of the Year in 2008-09.
Adrien ranked second on the team in both points per game (13.6) and rebounds per game (9.9).
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