TheOpenThread: AIC vs. UConn

l'm sorry that this introduction will be brief, but here's really what you need to know: UConn basketball is back and Kevin Ollie's first game is tonight. I'll be honest, I know less than nothing about AIC, other than that Jim Calhoun went there and UConn toasts them every year.

I know a good bit more about this year's UConn team, but it's still not a ton. I know the backcourt, helmed by Shabazz Napier, Ryan Boatright and newcomer Omar Calhoun should be a very, very strong unit and one of the best in the Big East, especially with Holy Cross-transfer RJ Evans there to add a bit of experience. The wings -- DeAndre Daniels and Niels Giffey are a little harder to nail down, especially in the case of Daniels, who would appear to have reams of talent, but rarely showed it last year. The big question is up front where here Enosch Wolf (out for tonight but probably back this weekend) and Tyler Olander are the only familiar faces and neither screams "dominant Big East big man" -- though maybe they won't need to be with Ollie's proposed run-and-gun style.

We don't have a starting lineup yet -- Ollie said he had three options and joked that he might let his daughter choose -- so that's the first thing I'll be looking for. After that I'll be keeping an eye out for pace, style and attitude on the court.

What do I know for sure right now? I know that I'm excited, and I hope you are too.

The game tips off at 7 and is being broadcast on UConnHuskies.com (with a $10 monthly subscription, which will also get you the second preseason game along with the soccer Big East tournament). WTIC will have a radio call if that's more your style. This is your OpenThread and I invite you to join us in the discussion below.

Go Huskies, and remember: Take the stairs, because escalators are for cowards.