One game down, who knows how many to go for the UConn men's basketball team. Their exhibition win over AIC was pretty much what you might expect from a first game. Some good things, some not so good and all in all, 40 minutes to start to work out the kinks.
Obviously, it was a dominant night for Hasheem Thabeet against a team without a player taller than 6'7. But what's important to note from the Big Fella is he did some things he never would have been able to do two years ago, or last season. More athletic, better basketball sense and more aggressive will make for an interesting Thabeet at the offensive end.
Kemba Walker is as adverstised, really really fast. He showed great court awareness, didn't try to force anything and plays much older than his years but with a smiling enthusiasm that Husky Fans will love.The thought of bringing him off the bench is intriguing, he brings that much of a change of pace to the game.
I thought Gavin Edwards also played well. He is in a tough spot, still too thin to play the four and maybe not quick enough for the three but he'll be asked to do both things this season.
Craig Austrie was what Craig Austrie is, steady... Nothing spectacular but more aggressive at the offensive end, which is what the coaches have been trying to get out of him for three years.
AJ Price dipped his toe back into the pool and I thought it wasn't just a coincidence that he scored the first points of the game. He will get better with each passing game.
Both Jeff Adrien and Jerome Dyson seemed out of the flow. When the season begins, even with all of it's talent, UConn can't afford for both of them to have an off night.
Tonight on SportsTalk at 6:35, Jim Calhoun will give his opening night grade and talk about the season. I hope you can join us.
