University of Connecticut Athletics
Excitement Builds For 2011-12 Campaign
10/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 14, 2011
By Myles Udland
Wednesday marked the beginning of preseason activities as the UConn men's basketball team competed in the Husky Run, leading up to their First Night celebrations on Friday and the official open of practice on Saturday morning. Freshman DeAndre Daniels was the first Husky across the line, but Andre Drummond, the final player to finish was a big topic of conversation on the afternoon.
Junior center Alex Oriakhi called Drummond a "man-child," and said that he was surprised at just how good Drummond has been in his brief time playing pickup games with him this fall. And when asked about his expectations for Dummond's contribution to the team this year, sophomore guard Shabazz Napier said simply, "you've got to see him play." But even with the addition of a top recruit like Drummond, Oriakhi and Napier know it's their time to step in to a leadership role.
Napier, who takes over for All-American Kemba Walker at the point guard position, aims to take just one cue from his predecessor: winning. "All I care about is winning," said Napier. "I want to be as winning as Kemba, but I just want to be Shabazz." And Napier, who showed a precocious knack for leadership as a freshman, is aiming to make his game more patient. "Last year I was looking for `oohs and aahs'," admits Napier. "This year I want to be more patient. I want to take smart, easy shots."
Oriakhi, the most tenured member of this year's young squad, knows that his time has come to be a leader. When asked about his transition into a leadership role this season, Orakhi said, "You've just got to be willing to step up when it's your time." Oriakhi will be joined in the frontcourt this season by Drummond and hopes to show the freshman how physical the college game is down low.
Coach Jim Calhoun addressed another topic of concern for many Huskies fans: conference realignment. "I would prefer to stay in the Big East," said Calhoun. "But I will always support, above all us, whatever benefits the University of Connecticut." Calhoun noted that even without Pittsburgh and Syracuse, who are scheduled to join the ACC in 2013, the Big East returns nine NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago. "As we stand here today, the Big East is still the best basketball league in the country," said Calhoun.
The Huskies, the Big East and NCAA champions a year ago, have their work cut out in defending these titles. Oriakhi stated that this team's goal is to win another national title. Napier said it's a weird feeling to be picked as a top team nationally from the start of the season. But Napier was quick to add that, "When we got [our national title rings], that was it. No one else cares about the rings." So while others may not care about their rings, one thing is certain for this year's Huskies: all eyes are on them.
