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UConn Huskies Big Man Named Team's Biggest 'X-Factor' For 2026-27
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- UConn Huskies Big Man Named Team's Biggest 'X-Factor' For 2026-27
After watching the UConn Huskies men's basketball team defeat the Syracuse Orange in the team's exhibition opener on Tuesday night, it was fairly obvious that center Na'jai Hines was the most impactful player on the court.
At 6-foot-11, Hines was physically imposing, and he filled the stat sheet with 17 points and eight rebounds. Once he gets even more comfortable with the team's defensive system, he'll likely be a huge asset on the shot-blocking front as well.
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Speaking on Thursday's edition of the " Inside College Basketball Now " podcast, CBS Sports Insider Jon Rothstein called him the "X-factor" for UConn in its quest to get back to the national title game. He cited the team's history of solid big men over the last four years as major reasons why UConn has gotten to three national title games in that time period. Look no further than the production of Tarris Reed Jr. a year ago.
Is he right?
Yeah, I think he is.
We know that UConn is built around its dynamic starting back court of Silas Demary Jr. and Braylon Mullins, and we know that transfer Nik Khamenia can help extend the defense with his perimeter ability.
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Those three things feel like certainties for head coach Dan Hurley. What's not a certainty is what the Huskies will get in the post. Hines is incredibly impactful and has huge potential, but what if he finds himself in foul trouble? What if he gets hurt? What if he's an inconsistent in the regular season and Hurley insinuated he can be in practice?
Seton Hall Pirates center Najai Hines (25) looks to post up against Butler Bulldogs forward Yohan Traore (21) in the second half at Prudential Center. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
If those questions remain questions then UConn will have a much tougher task in front of it. However, if Hines is able to stay on the floor and stay engaged, then those questions will have answers.
And those answers could lead back to the Final Four for the fourth time in five seasons.
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Up next for the Huskies
After the 72-52 win over the Orange on Tuesday night, the Huskies will play exhibition game No. 2 next Tuesday night against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich.
The Spartans are routinely one of the best teams in the nation under head coach Tom Izzo and this will be the second consecutive preseason that they've met. The Huskies won a year ago in Storrs.
UConn will play three exhibition games in total, the last of which will come against the Purdue Boilermakers.
