Calhoun is putting his faith in past success at UConn, his belief that players make a quantum leap between their freshman and sophomore years, and his confidence that the old UConn system can still work. He wants this team run, use the fast break to get easy baskets, and then wear opponents down with his patented 2-2-1 press.

“Last year we were trying to teach them how to play,” Calhoun said. Now we’re trying to teach them how to play together. I always come back to veterans in any clutch situation. I’m a great believer in the guys who have been there and know what to do.”

Before that trust develops, there must be consistency and that is a quality yet to be seen in Price, guard Jerome Dyson and forward Stanley Robinson. Price was such a disappointment last season that Calhoun began this season with Dyson at the point. But Price has played well so far, showing the ability to score and distribute while regaining the starting role as playmaker. As long as he makes good decisions, Calhoun will leave him on the floor. In turn, that should increase Price’s confidence.

Dyson is strong and athletic, capable of scoring in bunches. Robinson intrigues the coaching staff, especially after his performance against Buffalo. He had career highs in rebounds (13) and blocked shots (6), while scoring 10 points and recording two steals. But the night before against Morgan State he didn’t’ score and had two rebounds to go with five turnovers. Calhoun says that Robinson has “hours and days, but never weeks.”

Adrien is steady and reliable at the power forward. That leaves Thabeet, who should be a force inside at 7-3 and 263 pounds. Instead, his struggles continue.

“I still maintain he’s going to have a 20 [point] and 15 [rebound] game, with six blocked shots,” Calhoun said after catching Thabeet’s pass in the Byrant game. “He’s really tough inside.”

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It’s Thabeet and the other UConn players who have something to prove. Calhoun’s legacy is secure. But make no mistake about the coach. His hunger is stronger than ever. He wants these players to make their point. And he wants UConn basketball back where it belongs — at the top of the Big East and dancing into the NCAA Tournament.

“We have to be a hardworking, tough out,” he said. “And if we’re a hardworking, tough out, we have enough talent, I think to have a good season. Some awfully good things can happen for this team. Can great things happen? We’ll see as the season progresses.”