$5 Takeaways From UConn Basketball\'s Opening Night Win$

5 Takeaways From UConn Basketball's Opening Night Win

By Andrew Frosceno

5 Takeaways From UConn Basketball's Opening Night Win

UConn Basketball — You can often get a little sense of how a season is going to go by seeing what happens in the first game. Yes, over a season, teams can improve and grow, but the basic first reaction is often correct. The first reaction to UConn basketball's opening night is that they are a super talented team with an endless ceiling. We learned a lot about this team, even in a win against cupcake Maine.

5. They Have Great Team Chemistry

UConn Basketball

5. They Have Great Team Chemistry

UConn Basketball — When you have a team with so many scoring options and leaders like UConn has, you need great team chemistry to keep egos in order. Numerous guys like Sterling Gibbs, Rodney Purvis, Daniel Hamilton and more can easily average nearly 20 PPG, but they won't on this team thanks to the depth of talent. You can already tell they don't care what they get -- they care how the team does. They root and cheer for each other. That's key.

4. Daniel Hamilton Looks Much More Comfortable and Like the Best Pro Prospect

Daniel Hamilton, UConn Basketball

4. Daniel Hamilton Looks Much More Comfortable and Like the Best Pro Prospect

Daniel Hamilton, UConn Basketball — At times in his freshman season last year, Hamilton looked a bit out of control as if the game was moving a little fast for him. At the same time, it was obvious he was super talented thanks to multiple great performances. Already this year, he looks to be much more in control. He continues to be a triple-double waiting to happen. He had seven points to go with nine boards. He is a complete player and UConn's best pro prospect.

3. Amida Brimah is Primed to be Defensive Player of Year

Amida Brimah, UConn Basketball

3. Amida Brimah is Primed to be Defensive Player of Year

Amida Brimah, UConn Basketball — Brimah got off to a rising start this season with nine blocks against Maine. He continues to look more and more comfortable out there. Coming in as a raw freshman, he didn't know the nuances of how to be shot blocker; now he does. He's smarter out there. He could follow in the footsteps of Emeka Okafor and Hasheem Thabeet by taking home the NABC Defensive Player of the Year crown this year.

2. Kevin Ollie Scored a Coup With Getting Sterling Gibbs and Shonn Miller

Shonn Miller UConn

2. Kevin Ollie Scored a Coup with Getting Sterling Gibbs and Shonn Miller

Shonn Miller UConn — Ollie has taken advantage of the graduate transfer rule in the past with a guy like Lasan Kromah, but to get two high impact players with it this year was an incredible get. Miller was known to be a solid guy, but he blew expectations away last night. He is super athletic and can throw it down with the best of them. Gibbs scored 20 last night and looks like he can be the next great PG to lead UConn on a deep run. They are great impact guys

1. UConn Can Go as Far as They Want

UConn Huddle

1. UConn Can Go as Far as They Want

UConn Huddle — It's a saying you hear a lot, but it fits this team well. They have the talent to do big things. It's going to come down to the work they are willing to put in, and if they are all willing to buy in to the system and ball sharing. Top to bottom, this is probably the best team in the Ollie era, even better than the title-winning team. If they put in the work, this team could easily be a Final Four team.

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