UConn's season kicks off Friday when they host Bryant University. Then it's on to Puerto Rico for the Tip-Off Tournament.
Coach Kevin Ollie is obviously excited to get things rolling, but he does have concerns for his relatively young team following two exhibition matches.
“We shot free throws very, very well last year, and the past two games I think we missed nine each exhibition game," he said, via the Hartford Courant's Dom Amore. "… So we definitely want to correct that because we did a lot of great things on the free‑throw line. And when someone makes a mistake, when they foul on us, we want to convert, especially when you're pretty much up there by yourself and not being guarded. We want to do that better.
“We want to push the pace more. I think our last game we had 17 fast break points, which I want to get even more than that, and just also continue to rebound. We have to do a better job.”
We've written previously about freshman Daniel Hamilton, who could be an impact player early.
“He’s kind of like a stat stuffer," Ollie explained. "And he’s been doing an excellent job for us.”
And while transfer Rodney Purvis is still finding his form, Ollie seems unconcerned.
“He’s a terror when we get out on the fast break and have him pushing the ball and running the lanes,” the coach said.
Meanwhile, junior Omar Calhoun, who hopes to bounce back this season after a disappointing and injury-filled 2013-14, will likely miss the the season opener because of a knee injury.
“We’ll just check it day by day,” Ollie said. “If he can’t practice Thursday, most likely he’ll be out on Friday.”
