Heading into the 2026-27 UConn Huskies women's basketball season, we assumed that reigning National Player of the Year Sarah Strong and All-Big East selection Blanca Quinonez were going to be the focal points of the roster.

And that was a fair expectation given the success of both players last year. And with the departure of Azzi Fudd to graduation, it was logical to assume that both players were going to take another step forward.

Of course, we know that UConn can't be built on just two players, so we spent the offseason trying to figure out where the extra help would come from, and we deduced that KK Arnold would have a big role too.

Again, all of that was fair. However, the one thing we weren't counting on was the emergence of freshman Jovana Popovic. And now? We need to start counting on Popovic.

The Serbian native took the Huskies' exhibition season by storm, highlighted by her 22-point performance against Texas, and she continued to excel in Monday's season-opening win against Cornell.

The forward, starting in place of Quinonez as she works back from offseason surgery, went for 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Her 19 points tied her with Strong for the team lead, and she added three rebounds, three steals, an assist and had no turnovers.

Any time you have a freshman on a roster, you understand there is a progression to their first season. You are hoping that they come in and simply don't look overwhelmed by the moment. Then, a little later in their freshman year, you hope they can contribute and play meaningful minutes, and by the end of the season, you hope they are someone that can be relied upon.

However, for Popovic, she seems to already be there. Again, this group can be built around Strong and Quinonez, but Popovic is already an active part of things.

Does she need to score 19 points every night? No. But, she does have to be a big-time contributor. That means scoring in double-figures regularly and having some nights where she's in the 15-20 point range.

She's that good, and this team looks it has a better chance of hitting its ceiling when she's playing a lot - and playing well. She's already shown that.

For starters, it's her demeanor. She isn't overwhelmed by the college game, or by the crowds, or by the weight of playing for UConn. She said as much after the first exhibition of the year against Syracuse.

And beyond that, it's her basketball acumen. She moves well on the floor, moves well without the ball, knows where to go, and she just makes the play that is called for at that time. When she's open, she shoots. When she's not, she distributes or moves to the right spot. She runs well in transition.

She's a complete player already, and this Huskies team shouldn't be treating her like a freshman. They should be treating her like she's someone to be relied upon.

UConn will take on No. 5 Michigan on Thursday night at 6:30. This will be a road contest.