STORRS, Conn. – On a team with one of the elite backcourts in the country, one that features Jerome Dyson and Kemba Walker, it wasn't even up for debate as to who the best player on the court was on Monday afternoon at UConn.

That honor belonged to senior Stanley Robinson.

Robinson has always been an enigma, from the first time I saw him in the summer about six years ago with the Tallahassee Wildcats. One game, he'd dominate, and the next he'd disappear.

But Huskies coach Jim Calhoun said that Robinson has been the team's best player in 12 of the 13 practices thus far, which bodes well for UConn this season.

"Every single day," Walker said of Robinson's stellar practice play.

"Everybody wants me to be consistent," Robinson admitted. "Now it's time for me to show them. I don't want to let myself down, either."

Remember, Robinson was suspended for the first semester a year ago and was stacking copper every morning instead of practicing with his teammates.

The Huskies certainly have the look of a Final Four team on the perimeter with Dyson, Walker and Robinson.

But the concerns are up front.

"There's no question that's our key,” Calhoun said. "Our 4's and 5's will decide our year."

Ater Majok, a long and athletic freshman who wasn't cleared by the NCAA to play last season, will likely start at power forward once he becomes eligible for the Dec. 20 contest against Central Florida.

He's active on both ends of the court and is also skilled enough to step out and make shots from the perimeter.

And the two-man battle down low to replace Hasheem Thabeet is between freshman Alex Oriakhi and 7-foot Nigerian Charles Okwandu.

Oriaki certainly has the higher upside, but he's still learning – and Calhoun isn't typically a coach who exudes patience. The development of Majok and Oriakhi are clearly the two keys to the Huskies' season.

What's remarkable is that, despite the loss of Thabeet, Jeff Adrien, A.J. Price and Craig Austrie, the Huskies are picked 12th in the country.

"It surprised me that we were picked that high," Walker admitted.

"It's a tribute to the program," Calhoun said. "When we get Ater back, we can be the 12th-best team in the country. Right now we're not."

Part of the reason, in addition to the losses of Thabeet, Adrien and Price, that the Huskies don't necessarily pass the "look test" of a team capable of making a Final Four run is the lack of recognizable names up and down the roster. The program doesn't have the quality depth that fans have been accustomed to seeing in Storrs over the years. UConn has done a nice job getting guys under the radar over the years (i.e. Josh Boone, Hilton Armstrong), but the roster is littered with unheralded guys: Freshmen Darius Smith and Jamaal Trice, big men Jonathan Mandeldove, Gavin Edwards and Okwandu and junior guard Donnell Beverly.

Smith is a quick point guard who will get some minutes behind Walker, and Trice showed toughness and the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter. But the Huskies need a few more sure-fire pros if Calhoun is to end his career with another national title run.

One player we haven't mentioned that will make an impact is freshman forward Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, who committed to UConn along with Oriaki early in their high school careers. The 6-foot-7, multi-dimensional wing can really score the ball and should make his way into the rotation. He could also allow Robinson to play the four spot.

Walker said it wasn't difficult for him to play behind Price last season and wait his turn. In fact, he did it in junior high school behind Corey Fisher and in high school behind Edgar Sosa.

"I'm used to it," Walker said. "It's been a learning experience for me. I think having A.J. here last year helped me a lot."

UConn has led the nation in blocks for eight consecutive seasons. Expect that streak to come to a halt this year.

HEWITT IN AGREEMENT

Western Kentucky coach Ken McDonald had some high praise for Georgia Tech freshmen Derrick Favors and Mfon Udofia following the weekend scrimmage between the two teams.

Yellow Jackets coach Paul Hewitt echoed the sentiments.

"Of the freshmen, Derrick was impressive, but Mfon clearly had the biggest impact on the game with his toughness, on-ball defense and ability to run the team."

Hewitt said that starting point guard Iman Shumpert (hamstring) will likely return to practice on Monday. "We’re being cautious," Hewitt said.

Don't be surprised to see Shumpert and Udofia playing together once Shumpert gets back healthy. It'll give the Yellow Jackets a pair of quality point guards - something Hewitt hasn't had in a while. 

Hewitt said that Lance Storrs (foot) is expected to return to practice tomorrow and freshman Brian Oliver remains out for the next week or so with a similar hamstring injury as Shumpert. None of the three played against the Hilltoppers.

RANDOM NOTES: Siena picked up a quality commitment in St. Mark's forward Melsahn Basabe. ... Several reports indicate that Huntsville (Ala.) senior Josh Langford has re-opened his recruitment after committing to Louisville in the summer. ... Minnesota forward Trevor Mbakwe, who has been accused of attacking a woman, hasn't been cleared to play by the administration until the matter has been resolved.

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