Amida Brimah's Injury Absence Could Bring Some Positives For Connecticut Basketball

It was announced on Tuesday that Connecticut center Amida Brimah suffered a broken finger and would require a surgery that would sit him down 6-8 weeks. On the surface this is a very bad injury for the Huskies, who already find themselves in a bit of an early-season hole in regards to building up a tournament argument. However, there are some hidden positives that could emerge from this tough break.

The injury will allow some changes to UConn’s lineups that could enhance the development of several young players. The most obvious player seeing an increased role should be true freshman Steven Enoch. He is raw but is oozing with potential as a future top center for the Huskies. He has played in just eight of the Huskies’ 11 games this season, as head coach Kevin Ollie has been trying to slowly introduce him to big-time college hoops. He has shown some explosive potential in his limited action, as he is averaging 2.9 PPG and 1.9 RPG in just over eight minutes a game. At that rate if he were to see an increase in minutes he could average close to 8-10 PPG. In fact, in UConn’s most recent game against Central Connecticut State, he played 16 minutes and scored six points while shooting 2-of-3 from the field. A chance to develop Enoch more than he would have in his freshman year could do wonders for the Huskies down the road this year and beyond.

Junior Kentan Facey will also have his chances for increased minutes. The power forward has become known for his ability to grab boards and work hard down low despite his lesser physical size compared to some other forwards. He sure is a high motor player who rebounds at a high volume. He is averaging just 14.5 minutes per game this season but still producing 4.5 PPG and 4.7 RPG. Seeing him get an increase in minutes could improve UConn’s rebounding numbers. Facey also brings a little bit of an offensive game in the paint that gives the Huskies opportunities down low.

Another huge hidden benefit from this could be the killer instinct that Shonn Miller will be forced to display. In the first true game of Brimah’s long-term absence, Miller seemed to accept the role that he was UConn’s alpha dog down low. He scored a whopping 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting. Yes, it was Central, but it indicated just what Miller could do for the Huskies. It also forces UConn to play their potential best lineup with Daniel Hamilton at power forward and Miller at center. This small, three guard lineup certainly gives UConn their best offensive team on the floor that is hard to guard.

In the end, Brimah’s  injury is brutal for the team. He controls the paint on defense and completely changes an opponent’s offensive game-plan. That will be the biggest blow to UConn. It is impossible to replace. It is never a good thing when one of your better players and leaders go down. However, next-man-up could quietly benefit the Huskies in the meantime. Depth could certainly grow out of this tough situation in Storrs.

Andrew Frosceno covers the New York Giants, college football, college basketball and MLB for www.Rantsports.com. You can follow him on Twitter, Google or Facebook.