UConn Men Face Wichita State Tonight In Maui
Drenched in sweat late Sunday morning, UConn players gathered on the court at the end of practice, listened intently to coach Jim Calhoun's speech, packed up and slowly filed out of tiny Lahaina Civic Center, toward their bus.
There was sunshine, the blue of the Pacific Ocean, waves crashing, coconut trees dancing gently in a warm breeze. The Huskies are in paradise, land of the carefree aloha spirit. But to spend this time far away from home without their everyday, businesslike approach would be foolhardy.
Today is, after all, "Judgment day," as Alex Oriakhi said.
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The Huskies open the Maui Invitational against Wichita State, a Missouri Valley Conference team that won 25 games last season and relies on a core of juniors and seniors. The Shockers have size, talent and experience at every position, and coach Gregg Marshall clearly likes his team.
"We're a veteran ballclub," Marshall said during a beachfront, early-morning press conference. "We have some size, two seven-footers, some very talented guards, and we've got a bevy of 6-8, 6-9 guys. Not having to teach a lot of young kids the system is obviously very important to us. It's been nice. We should be able to come in and handle the pressure."
Moments later, Calhoun spoke.
"Gregg said he had a bevy of everything," he said. "We have a bevy of nothing. I'm just trying to learn the kids' names right now."
Of course, Calhoun was heavy on the sarcasm there, as he was with many comments during a three-minute address at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa. But he does come into this tournament with as many questions about his team that a coach can have. Three games in three days will yield some important answers.
"This is a real test for this team," Oriakhi said, "a test I really want to take."
Said Kemba Walker, "This is a chance for us to show the world that we're a good team."
The opening game is important on several fronts, not just because it would be a strong nonconference victory, but because it opens another door. Beat Wichita State and Michigan State is the likely second-round opponent. Lose and the host school, Chaminade, a Division II team from Honolulu, is the likely opponent.
While no win or loss in November will make or break NCAA Tournament aspirations, there are important swings in RPI and strength of schedule at hand. In the 2000 Maui Invitational, the Huskies lost their first-round game to Dayton, then defeated Chaminade and Louisville to finish fifth, but at 19-11 they missed the NCAA Tournament.
"Every game will end up being, trust me, important, whether you have to win one to get out of here, two to have a nice trip or three to take the championship," Calhoun said. "It's a game that would really be nice to get right now. That's what you'll say [today] and every day. ? The game is intriguing. [Wichita State] is a legitimate team. Whatever happens after that, happens after that. I'm not concentrating on that scenario or trying to put too much pressure on the kids. You do want to leave here being content knowing you can win and knowing what you have to improve on."
Compensating for size the Huskies have not seen through two exhibitions and two regular season games, Calhoun will start Charles Okwandu at center and move Oriakhi to power forward. They will have their hands full with players such as Garrett Stutz and Ehimen Orukpe, both 7 feet.
Guard David Kyles made five three-pointers and led the Shockers with 20 points in an opening victory over Texas Southern.
"We'll go through a reality check," Calhoun said. "Our kids need to understand that this is the type of basketball where, if you make mistakes you're going to pay for them. I was telling Alex that some of the weak stuff he's been putting up there will be sent back."
In 2005, the last time the Huskies were in Maui, UConn defeated Arkansas, Arizona and Gonzaga to win the title. That was widely considered one of the most talented teams in the nation and Calhoun was eager to show a national audience.
This time around, with so much inexperience, is he a little more nervous? No, Calhoun said.
"It's not that I don't have great expectations," he said. added. "We really feel this group is eventually going to be good. I would like eventually to be against Wichita State."
