2008-09 CONNECTICUT BASKETBALL
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MEN’S BASKETBALL YEARBOOK
2004, 1999 NCAA National Champions
THIS IS
CONNECTICUT BASKETBALL
This is Connecticut Basketball ............................................................. 2-3
Defense and Championships-A UConn Tradition ................................... 4-5
2004 NCAA Champions ........................................................................ 6-7
1999 NCAA Champions ........................................................................ 8-9
Jim Calhoun-- Hall of Famer ............................................................ 10-11
The Jim Calhoun Coaching Tree ....................................................... 12-13
A Tradition of National Success ........................................................ 14-15
A Tradition of BIG EAST Success ...................................................... 16-17
This is Connecticut Basketball ......................................................... 18-19
UConn in the Community ................................................................ 20-21
Harry A. Gampel Pavilion ................................................................. 22-23
XL Center ....................................................................................... 24-25
This is the University of Connecticut ................................................ 26-27
Table of Contents ............................................................................ 28-29
Connecticut Basketball Schedule ........................................................... 30
Connecticut Basketball Quick Facts ....................................................... 30
Connecticut Basketball Roster & Photo Roster .................................. 30-31
Meet the 2008-09 Connecticut Huskies ............................................ 32-33
THE 2008-09
CONNECTICUT HUSKIES
Senior Jeff Adrien ........................................................................... 34-35
Senior Craig Austrie ........................................................................ 36-37
Senior A.J. Price .............................................................................. 38-39
Junior Jerome Dyson ....................................................................... 40-41
Junior Gavin Edwards ...................................................................... 42-43
Junior Jonathan Mandeldove ........................................................... 44-45
Junior Hasheem Thabeet ................................................................. 46-47
Sophomore Donnell Beverly ............................................................. 48-49
Freshman Scottie Haralson ................................................................... 50
Freshman Charles Okwandu ................................................................. 51
Freshman Kemba Walker ...................................................................... 52
MEET THE
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach Jim Calhoun ................................................................. 56-64
Associate Head Coach George Blaney ................................................... 65
Assistant Coach Andre LaFleur .............................................................. 66
Assistant Coach Patrick Sellers ............................................................. 67
Director of Basketball Operations Beau Archibald .................................. 68
REVIEWING THE
2007-08 HUSKIES
Reviewing the 2007-08 Season ........................................................ 69-72
2007-08 Final Statistics ................................................................... 73-76
28
2008-09 UCONN MEN’S BASKETBALL YEARBOOK
2004, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1990 BIG EAST Tournament Champions
CONNECTICUT
BASKETBALL HISTORY
All-Time Head Coaches ......................................................................... 78
All-Time Assistant Coaches ................................................................... 79
Year-by-Year Team Records .................................................................. 80
Scores Through the Years ............................................................... 81-94
All-Time Opponent Series Histories .................................................. 95-99
All-Time National Postseason Results ........................................... 100-101
All-Time BIG EAST Tournament Results ............................................... 102
CONNECTICUT BASKETBALL
LETTERWINNER HISTORY
All-Time Letterwinners ................................................................. 104-116
All-Time Individual Honor Roll............................................................. 117
UConn Basketball NBA Player Registry ................................................ 117
UConn Basketball All-Century Team .................................................... 117
All-Time Uniform Numbers .................................................................. 118
CONNECTICUT BASKETBALL
RECORD BOOK
Individual Career Records ........................................................... 120-121
1,000-Point Club ......................................................................... 122-124
Team Single Season Records .............................................................. 125
Individual Single Season Records ................................................. 126-128
Team Single Game Records ................................................................ 129
Individual Single Game Records ................................................... 130-131
UConn Records in BIG EAST Play ................................................. 132-133
XL Center Records ............................................................................. 134
Harry A. Gampel Pavilion Records ....................................................... 135
Opponent Records ............................................................................. 136
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CONNECTICUT
The University ............................................................................. 138-139
Living the UConn Experience ....................................................... 140-141
A Remarkable Transformation ...................................................... 142-143
Top Ten Reasons to Attend UConn ............................................... 144-145
President Michael J. Hogan .......................................................... 146-147
Prominent UConn Alumni ............................................................ 148-149
The “State” of UConn .................................................................. 150-151
Close to Storrs ............................................................................ 152-153
Storrs Center Project .......................................................................... 154
City of Hartford and the Greater Hartford Region ................................ 155
UConn Athletics Year in Review ................................................... 156-157
The Mark R. Shenkman Training Center .............................................. 158
UConn Athletic Facilities ..................................................................... 159
Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway ..................................... 160-161
UConn Administrative Staff and Head Coaches .................................... 162
UConn Traditions/Basketball Support Staff .......................................... 163
2008-09 CONNECTICUT BASKETBALL
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MEN’S BASKETBALL YEARBOOK
05-06, 04-05, 02-03, 01-02, 98-99, 97-98, 95-96, 94-95, 93-94, 89-90 BIG EAST Regular Season Champions
J. Robert Donnelly Husky Heritage Sports Museum ............................. 164
Academic Counseling Program ............................................................ 165
Department of Sports Medicine .......................................................... 166
Strength and Conditioning Program .................................................... 167
UConn Athletic Development Fund ...................................................... 168
The Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center ........................................ 169
IN MEMORIAM
Robert "Spider" Ursery Jr.
THIS IS
CONNECTICUT BASKETBALL
This is Connecticut Basketball ..................................................... 170-171
UConn Basketball Huskies of Honor ............................................. 172-175
The Best of the Jim Calhoun Era-- 2002-2006 .............................. 176-177
The Best of the Jim Calhoun Era-- 2000-2002 ..................................... 178
The Best of the Jim Calhoun Era-- 1997-1999 ..................................... 179
1999 NCAA Champions-- 10th Anniversary ................................... 180-181
The Best of the Jim Calhoun Era-- 1994-1996 ..................................... 182
The Best of the Jim Calhoun Era-- 1993-1994 ..................................... 183
The Best of the Jim Calhoun Era-- 1990-1993 ..................................... 184
The Best of the Jim Calhoun Era-- 1987-1989 ..................................... 185
1988 NIT Champions-- 20th Anniversary ..................................... 186-187
The Best of UConn Basketball-- The Wings .................................. 188-189
The Best of UConn Basketball-- The Guards ................................. 190-191
The Best of UConn Basketball-- The Bigs ..................................... 192-193
The Best of UConn Basketball-- Pipeline to the NBA ..................... 194-195
UConn’s NBA Champions ............................................................. 196-197
Among the NBA Elite ................................................................... 198-199
A Tradition of Excellence-- The NBA Draft Lottery ........................ 200-202
A Tradition of Excellence-- First Round NBA Draft Selections ............... 203
UConn in the NBA ....................................................................... 204-207
2008-2009 CONNECTICUT BASKETBALL YEARBOOK CREDITS
The University of Connecticut Basketball Yearbook
was produced by the UConn Division of Athletics, Jeffrey A. Hathaway, Director.
Managing Editor and Graphic Designer:
Kyle Muncy, Assistant Director of Athletics/Communications.
Designed in Adobe PageMaker 7.0, Photoshop 7.0.1 and InDesign CS 3.0 for PC.
Editorial Assistance Provided by: Tim Tolokan, UConn Associate Director of Athletics/
Licensing and Athletic Traditions; Luanne Dunstan, Athletic Communications Secretary.
Chief Photographer: Stephen Slade.
Additional Photos & Editorial Support Provided By: Bob Stowell; NBA Photos (Brian Choi,
Victor Baldizon); Sherrie Muncy, Taylor Muncy; Associated Press; BIG EAST Conference (John
Paquette, Chuck Sullivan, Michael Coyne); Scott Clarke; John Collins; Richard Corman; Tomasso
DeRosa; Kurt Godikson; Harrison Jenkins; Mitchell Layton; Tom Maguire; Manafort Brothers; Jerry
Margolis; Peter Morenus; Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; NCAA Photos (Rich Clarkson
& Associates); New York Knicks; NIT Photos; Adam Polgreen, Northeastern University; Andrew
Prince; Adam Prince; Dave Redding; Brian Spurlock; Bruce Schwartzman; Sports Illustrated
(Porter Binks, Maureen Cavanagh); Kathy Swanson; Brian Tirpak; UConn Health Center (Jim
Walter, Maureen McGuire, Wendy Soneson); Karen White, University of Connecticut Purchasing;
The White House.
Printed By:
Wolf Colorprint, Newington, Conn.
Michael Eck, Sales Associate
Nancy Bubbico, Customer Service Representative
University of Connecticut Office of Athletic Communications
2095 Hillside Road, Unit 1173, Storrs, CT 06269-1173
Mike Enright
Kyle Muncy
Randy Press
Luanne Dunstan
Kristen Altieri
Betsy Devine
Elizabeth Mayer
Associate AD/Communications
Assistant AD/Communications
Assistant Dir./Athletic Communications
Athletic Communications Secretary
Athletic Communications Assistant
Athletic Communications Assistant
Athletic Communications Assistant
Office Phone: (860) 486-3531; Office Fax: (860) 486-5085; Hotline Phone: (860) 486-5050
Website Address: UConnHuskies.com
Men’s Basketball Contact: Kyle Muncy, Assistant Director of Athletics/Communications
E-Mail: [email protected]
Cellular Phone: (860) 208-8624; Home Phone: (860) 267-7792
Robert "Spider" Ursery, Jr., 44, of Bloomfield, loving husband of Maxine Stewart
Ursery, ascended into Heaven Sunday, August 3, 2008. Born in St. Louis, MO, son
of Robert and Chrysantha (Smith) Ursery, Sr. of St. Louis, MO, he lived in East
Hartford many years moving to Bloomfield four years ago. Besides his wife Maxine
and his parents, he is survived by his children Krishna Williams and Mariano Flowers both of St. Louis and Robert Isaiah Ursery of East Hartford; two stepsons
Brandon and Jordan Stewart both of Bloomfield; and a grandson Robert Williams;
two brothers John Ursery and his wife Andrea and Rodney Ursery and his wife
Lateesha; three sisters Andre, Angela, and Clarenza Ursery; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. Robert graduated from UConn in
1989 with a BA in Economics. Known as "Spider", he played forward (#31) for the
UConn Huskies from 1985-1988. He played 76 games and was Co-Captain of the
team in his senior year when he helped the team win the National Invitational
Tournament Championship in 1988. Robert was a Probation Officer in the City of
Hartford for over 15 years and was a member of the Northside Church of Christ.
Though his six-year battle with Hodgkins Disease left him frail; his unwavering
faith, perseverance, and amazing courage to fight on against incredible odds is an
encouragement and inspiration to us all. His final days were spent surrounded by
family and friends.
2008-09 UCONN MEN’S BASKETBALL YEARBOOK
29
2008-09 CONNECTICUT BASKETBALL
2008-09 ROSTER/QUICK FACTS/SCHEDULE
2004, 1999 NCAA National Champions
#
2
4
11
12
15
24
30
32
33
34
35
Name
Donnell Beverly
Jeff Adrien
Jerome Dyson
A.J. Price
Kemba Walker
Craig Austrie
Scottie Haralson
Jonathan Mandeldove
Gavin Edwards
Hasheem Thabeet
Charles Okwandu
2008-09 UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER
Yr.
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Hometown/Last School
So.
G
6-4
190
Hawthorne, Calif./Leuzinger HS
Sr.
F
6-7
243
Brookline, Mass./Brewster (N.H.) Academy
Jr.
G
6-4
190
Rockville, Md./Proctor (N.H.) Academy
Sr.
G
6-2
181
Amityville, N.Y./Amityville HS
Fr.
G
6-1
172
Bronx, N.Y./Rice HS
Sr.
G
6-3
176
Stamford, Conn./Trinity Catholic HS
Fr.
G
6-4
215
Jackson, Miss./Provine HS
Jr.
C
7-0
240
Stone Mountain, Ga./Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy
Jr.
F
6-9
234
Gilbert, Ariz./Mesquite HS
Jr.
C
7-3
263
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania/Cypress (Texas) Comm. School
So.
C
7-1
255
Lagos, Nigeria/Harcum (Pa.) JC
Head Coach:
JIM CALHOUN, 23rd Season at UConn (American International ‘68)
Associate Head Coach:
GEORGE BLANEY, 8th Season at UConn (Holy Cross ‘61)
Assistant Coaches:
ANDRE LaFLEUR, 8th Season at UConn (Northeastern ‘88)
PATRICK SELLERS, 5th Season at UConn (Central Connecticut ‘91)
Director of Operations:
BEAU ARCHIBALD, 2nd Season at UConn (Connecticut ‘03)
General
Name of School: ..................................................... University of Connecticut
City/Zip: ............................................................................Storrs, CT, 06269
Founded: ............................................................................................. 1881
Total Enrollment: ............................................................................... 28,677
Nickname: ............................................................................ Huskies, UConn
School colors: ........................................ National Flag Blue (Navy) and White
Arenas: .................................................. Harry A. Gampel Pavilion/ XL Center
Capacity: ............................................................................... 10,167/16,294
Affiliation: ............................................................................. NCAA Division I
Conference: ...................................................................................BIG EAST
President: ........................ Dr. Michael J. Hogan (University of Northern Iowa)
Athletic Director: ..................................... Jeffrey A. Hathaway (Maryland ‘81)
Athletic Department Phone: .................................................. (860) 486-2725
Ticket Office Phone: ............................................................. (860) 486-2724
Website: ......................................................................... UConnHuskies.com
History
First yr. of basketball: .......................................................................... 1901
Overall all-time record: ................................................................... 1468-834
No. yrs. In NCAA Tourn./last: ................................................... 28 yrs./ 2008
No. yrs. In NIT/ last: ................................................................ 11 yrs./ 2001
Last post-season opponent: ........... San Diego / NCAA 1st Round, L, 70-69, ot
Athletic Communications Information
Assistant AD/Communications, Basketball Contact: ....................... Kyle Muncy
Office/Cell: ................................................. (860) 486-3531, (860) 208-8624
SID Mailing Address: .............................. 2095 Hillside Road, Gampel Pavilion
............................................................... Unit 1173, Storrs, CT, 06269-1173
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: .................. Jim Calhoun (American International College, 1968)
Record at school (22 yrs.): ......................................... 526-200/1986-present
Career record (36 yrs.): .............................................. 774-337/1972-present
Associate Head Coach: .............................. George Blaney (Holy Cross, 1961)
Assistant Coaches: .................................. Andre LaFleur (Northeastern, 1988)
..................................................... Patrick Sellers (Central Connecticut 1991)
Director of Basketball Operations: ............. Beau Archibald (Connecticut 2003)
Athletic Trainer: ........................................................................ James Doran
2007-08 Team Information
Overall record last year: ........................................................................ 24-9
Conference record/finish: ....................................................... 13-5/4th Place
Starters returning/lost: ............................................................................ 4/1
Scholarship Letterwinners returning/lost: ................................................ 8/3
30
2004, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1990 BIG EAST Tournament Champions
2008-09 UCONN MEN’S BASKETBALL YEARBOOK
Date
NOVEMBER
Wed
5
Sun
9
Fri
14
Mon
17
Fri-Mon 21-24
Fri
21
Sat/Sun22/23
Mon
24
2008-09 UConn Men’s Basketball Schedule
Opponent
TV
Site
Time
AIC (exhib.)
-UMass-Lowell (exhib.) -Western Carolina
Hartford
7:30
1:00
7:30
7:00
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
2008 US Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, University of the Virgin Islands
Sports and Fitness Center in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
vs. LaSalle
vs. Miami or Southern Miss
vs. Wisconsin, Iona, Valparaiso or San Diego
6:00
6:00
Sat
29
Bryant
XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
1:00
DECEMBER
Mon
1
Delaware State
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
7:30
Thu
4
at Buffalo
Alumni Arena, Buffalo, N.Y.
7:00
Mon
15
Stony Brook
XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
7:00
Sat
20
vs. Gonzaga
CBS
Key Arena, Seattle, Wash.
4:00
Fri
26
Fairfield
ESPNU
XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
7:00
Mon
29
* Georgetown
espn2
XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
7:00
JANUARY
Sat
3
* Rutgers
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
7:00
Tue
6
* at West Virginia
ESPNU
WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, W. Va. 7:00
Sat
10
* at Cincinnati
Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio
4:30
Thu
15
* at St. John’s
ESPN/espn2 Madison Sq. Garden, New York, N.Y. 7:00
Sun
18
* Seton Hall
XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
2:00
Wed
21
* Villanova
ESPN
XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
7:00
Sat
24
* at Notre Dame
ESPN
Joyce Center, South Bend, Ind.
7:00
Wed
28
* at DePaul
Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Ill.
9:00
Sat
31
* Providence
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
4:00
FEBRUARY
Mon
2
* at Louisville
ESPN
Freedom Hall, Louisville, Ky.
7:00
Sat
7
Michigan
ESPN
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
6:00
Wed
11
* Syracuse
ESPN
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
7:00
Sat
14
* at Seton Hall
Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
Noon
Mon
16
* Pittsburgh
ESPN
XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
7:00
Sat
21
* South Florida
XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
2:00
Wed
25
* at Marquette
ESPN
Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wis.
7:00
Sat
28
* Notre Dame
CBS
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
2:00
MARCH
Sat
7
* at Pittsburgh
CBS
Petersen Center, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Noon
*— BIG EAST Conference Opponent
All times Eastern Standard; Local and regional television information available at UConnHuskies.com
All information current as of October 3 and subject to change
UCONN AND NIKE
The University of Connecticut Division of Athletics and Nike, Inc., began an exclusive corporate
sponsorship in the summer of 2008.
The contract terms cover a ten-year period from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2018 and
makes Nike the exclusive footwear, apparel and equipment provider for UConn Athletics. It is
the largest corporate sponsorship package in the history of UConn Athletics and is among the
largest contracts of its kind between Nike and an
intercollegiate athletic program.
Part of the UConn-Nike agreement is a $1 million payment
to the University towards the construction of a new
basketball practice facility.
2008-09 CONNECTICUT BASKETBALL
2008-09 UCONN MEN’S BASKETBALL PHOTO ROSTER
05-06, 04-05, 02-03, 01-02, 98-99, 97-98, 95-96, 94-95, 93-94, 89-90 BIG EAST Regular Season Champions
2
DONNELL BEVERLY
So., G, 6-4, 190
Hawthorne, Calif.
15
32
JIM CALHOUN
Head Coach
23rd Year at UConn
4
KEMBA WALKER
Fr., G, 6-1, 172
Bronx, N.Y.
JONATHAN MANDELDOVE
Jr., C, 7-0, 240
Stone Mountain, Ga.
33
GEORGE BLANEY
Associate Head Coach
8th Year at UConn
11
JEFF ADRIEN
Sr., F, 6-7, 243
Brookline, Mass.
24
JEROME DYSON
Jr., G, 6-4, 190
Rockville, Md.
CRAIG AUSTRIE
Sr., G, 6-3, 176
Stamford, Conn.
GAVIN EDWARDS
Jr., F, 6-9, 234
Gilbert, Ariz.
34
ANDRE LaFLEUR
Assistant Coach
8th Year at UConn
30
12
A.J. PRICE
Sr., G, 6-2, 181
Amityville, N.Y.
SCOTTIE HARALSON
Fr., G, 6-4, 215
Jackson, Miss.
HASHEEM THABEET
Jr., C, 7-3, 263
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
35
CHARLES OKWANDU
So., C, 7-1, 255
Lagos, Nigeria
PATRICK SELLERS
Assistant Coach
5th Year at UConn
BEAU ARCHIBALD
Director of Operations
2nd Year at UConn
2008-09 UCONN MEN’S BASKETBALL YEARBOOK
31
2008-09 CONNECTICUT BASKETBALL
THUMBNAIL SCOUTING REPORTS ON THE 2008-09 HUSKIES
2004, 1999 NCAA National Champions
Junior
Jerome Dyson
Jerome is a proven scorer and defender who comes off a tough 200708 season, both on and off the
court. He will be expected to bounce
back and give the Huskies a hardnosed defender and an aggressive
slasher on the offensive end.
Freshman
Scottie Haralson
Scottie is a standout outside
shooter who will work for playing
time in a crowded backcourt. At 64, he has the ability to shoot over
smaller guards and at 215 lbs., he
is also a physical presence.
32
2008-09 UCONN MEN’S BASKETBALL YEARBOOK
2004, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1990 BIG EAST Tournament Champions
Senior
Jeff Adrien
Jeff is one of the top big men returnees in the country
and has more double-doubles than any other player in
the BIG EAST entering the 2008-09 season. He is a
consistent scorer and rebounder and is also underrated
on the defensive end of the floor. He was a First Team
All-BIG EAST pick in 2007-08.
Senior
Craig Austrie
Craig is among the
more dependable
and trusted players
on the Husky roster.
He is a clutch shooter
and sneaky ball-handler who has seen
plenty of big minutes
over his three seasons at UConn.
Sophomore
Charles Okwandu
Charles is a big and raw talent who
will fight for the back-up center position. As he gains experience, he will
have a chance to be a contributor on
both ends of the floor.
2008-09 CONNECTICUT BASKETBALL
THUMBNAIL SCOUTING REPORTS ON THE 2008-09 HUSKIES
05-06, 04-05, 02-03, 01-02, 98-99, 97-98, 95-96, 94-95, 93-94, 89-90 BIG EAST Regular Season Champions
Senior A.J. Price
A.J. was an All-American in 2007-08, but suffered
a torn ACL in the final game of the year. He is
expected to be at full strength and could spend
more time this season at the off guard spot to
take advantage of his scoring ability. He is a
National Player of the Year candidate.
Junior
Hasheem Thabeet
Hasheem is the reigning National
and BIG EAST Defensive Player of
the Year and should help UConn
remain at the top of the national
blocked shot leaders for the eighth
straight season. His improvement
on the offensive end is another
reason he will be among the contenders for National Player of the
Year in 2008-09.
Freshman
Kemba Walker
Kemba comes in as a highly touted
McDonald’s All-American and a summer in which he was named the MVP
of the 2008 FIBA Americas Tournament representing the USA. He will
see time at the point and give the
Huskies the ability to play plenty of
three-guard lineups as they have during past successful seasons.
Junior
Jonathan Mandeldove
Jon is a solid performer in the
middle and saw some valuable
minutes off the bench last season. He will again be looked to for
spot minutes off the bench and to
contribute at the defensive end.
Junior
Gavin Edwards
Gavin has been a valuable contributor off the Husky bench the
past two seasons, showing the
ability to score and also to block
shots and rebound. He should
see plenty of playing time at the
power forward and center positions.
Sophomore
Donnell Beverly
Donnell has had an excellent offseason and will battle for playing
time in the backcourt this season.
At 6-4, he has a height advantage
over most point guards and was a
solid ball-handler and good passer
for the Huskies in 2007-08.
2008-09 UCONN MEN’S BASKETBALL YEARBOOK
33