Touching upon the past and future

No stories in today's paper, but it looks like media availability with the team and Jim coach Calhoun may come within the next week or so. We'll see, but at that point, there will be a complete look-back at the season that was. That doesn't mean we can't start now, though.

As detailed in Sunday's follow from the San Diego loss, this season certainly was a step back in the right direction for UConn. From its record (24-9) to all the awards and attention, it was what Jim Calhoun and company are more accustomed to. That said, the ending wasn't. The first-round loss to San Diego will cast a shadow on UConn's season, no doubt, but over time, I don't think it will come to define it. This season is about the two parts, the good and the bad, when people look back on it, both have to be considered: The good because of the magnitude of the turnaround from last year, and the bad because, well, the Huskies haven't lost in the first round in 29 years.

If last season was just like any other -- 20 to 25 wins, a few tournament wins, etc. -- this past regular season doesn't really hold any significance. But because last year was so disappointing (and as bad as losing in the first round, a 17-14 record and no tournament appearance is far worse), this group's ability to prove it can win, if only in the regular season, is important.

As for where the Huskies go from here, that depends on what happens the next few months. If A.J. Price goes into surgery sometime next week and doctors find that the damage isn't beyond a torn ACL, the six-month recovery period will most likely stay intact and the junior will be in line to play the season. If doctors find more damage (MCL, meniscus, etc.), then everything changes dramatically.

That said, when and if Price does return, at what level he'll be at is unclear. By missing summer ball and workouts, certain areas of his will regress, shooting being the most likely thing. If rehab and everything goes well, I can't see his game taking a humongous step back, but he may be at where he was to start this year, maybe even farther behind. I don't believe Price will turn into a liability, but it will take time to build off all the progress he made this season. Then, of course, there's the impact this all has on his confidence in himself and that knee to hold up.

Hasheem Thabeet's decision to stay or declare himself eligible for the NBA Draft also plays a huge role. If he leaves, it will change UConn dramatically, both offensively and defensively, and without a clear replacement in line (Jonathan Mandeldove proved himself able to give a couple solid minutes off the bench, but I can't see him starting), it means UConn will have to go searching. At the moment, its two open scholarships spots are locked up by Kemba Walker and Scottie Haralson, and one or more people are going to have to transfer if someone like Ater Majok decides to come to Storrs.

There's so much to be decided.