It should be an interesting exhibition opener for the UConn men's basketball team.

Some things to watch for tonight:

-- Running of the Huskies: It's no secret the Huskies want to play fast. Faster than last season. Let's see how many fast break points are scored tonight against American International College. Dictating tempo will be important.

-- Center of attention: Freshman Alex Oriakhi and junior Charles Okwandu, who'll share the center position, are very inexperienced. They're attempting to replace Hasheem Thabeet who averaged 13.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and four blocks last season.

Coach Jim Calhoun hopes the two newcomers can combine to average a double-double.

Can they contribute right away and will they stay out of foul trouble?

-- Shooting contest: Perimeter shooting is another area of concern. Sophomore Kemba Walker says senior Jerome Dyson and freshman Jamal Coombs-McDaniel have been the best shooters so far in practice,

-- Patience, patience: Playing a more wide open game, Calhoun expects his team will make mistakes. How will the demanding coach respond when turnovers start to pile up?

When asked if Calhoun will be able to tolerate more mistakes, Walker responded: "No. Coach is a perfectionist. That's something I'm working on, too, trying to limit my turnovers."

-- From Teddy to Grizzly Bear: Freshmen Jamaal Trice, Darius Smith, Coombs-McDaniel and Oriakhi have seen the teddy bear side of Calhoun. Now they'll meet the grizzly bear.

--- Anointed one: Every fall Calhoun raves about one player. This year it's Stanley Robinson. So let's see if Robinson can live up to the billing. Caution: nominees from previous seasons include Curtis Kelly and Denham Brown. Kelly ended up transferring and Brown had a decent career.

Robinson is far better than both of those players.

-- Mystery man: Calhoun has rarely mentioned junior Donnell Beverly in his chats with the media this fall. That's not a good sign. Where does Beverly fit into the rotation?

-- HuskyVision: If you don't plan on going to the XL Center for tonight's game, you can check out the action on HuskyVision. But it will cost you $9.95 to sign up for the subscription at UConnHuskies.com

All four UConn basketball exhibition games – two men and two women – will be on HuskyVision.Hus