Analyzing the influence of UConn’s 7-foot center, Donovan Clingan, on the team’s performance through shot charts and defensive heat maps.
When Clingan suffered an injury early in the second half against Seton Hall in December, UConn went from a four-point deficit to a 15-point loss. Similarly, when he accumulated two fouls within the first five minutes against Creighton two months later, the Huskies’ six-point lead turned into a six-point deficit by the time he returned.
While UConn managed to win all five games when Clingan was sidelined with a foot injury earlier in the season, those victories were largely against weaker opponents in the Big East conference. However, when facing formidable teams, Clingan often steps up and even dominates. His recent standout performance was a 22-point, 16-rebound masterpiece in the Big East Tournament championship game against Marquette.
According to UConn head coach Dan Hurley, Clingan’s injuries earlier in the season allowed him to fully recover and get into excellent shape. As a result, he is now peaking at just the right time for tournament play. Hurley emphasized that they need Clingan to have a dominant run similar to what Adama Sanogo accomplished for them last year.
Clingan’s impact goes beyond traditional statistics like scoring and rebounding. While he ranks fourth on UConn’s scoring list with an average of 12.5 points per game and leads his team in rebounding by just beating out guard Tristen Newton, his true dominance lies on defense. He currently ranks 12th nationally (and second among Big East players) with an average of 2.3 blocked shots per game.
Opponents’ fear of Clingan is evident simply through observation on the court. Many opposing players hesitate or choose to pass instead of attempting shots when they enter his territory near or inside the paint area. This intimidation factor extends beyond mere observation as well.
Defensive heat maps created by Hearst Connecticut Media reveal that opponents tend to take more three-point shots when Clingan is on the floor compared to when he is off it. Moreover, their shooting accuracy drops significantly within approximately ten feet from inside due to Clington’s presence—their field goal percentage often falls below Division I average by around 10%.
Overall shooting percentages also reflect this difference—teams shoot at 41.7% from two-point range and an overall percentage of 38.7%, while Clington plays compared to shooting at slightly higher percentages (45.7% from two-point range and an overall percentage of 40%).
UConn currently holds top rankings both offensively and defensively according to Kenpom.com’s adjusted efficiency ratings—a testament not only to their offensive prowess but also to their defensive capabilities as one of three teams (alongside Houston and Auburn) among college basketball elite programs ranking within the top-15 positions in both categories.
Donovan Clington plays an instrumental role in these rankings due to his ability to make opponents reconsider shots near or inside lane areas—which ultimately results in poorer shooting percentages—and encourage them to take more three-point attempts instead.
As Creighton coach Greg McDermott highlighted during this season: “His impact offensively is one thing but defensively; his ability tо protect thе rim іѕ elite… It’s not just the shots he blocks; it’s the one you don’t take because he’s there.” These intangible contributions may not always show up on stat sheets but undoubtedly affect opposing teams’ offensive strategies