Hartford - Off-the-court problems dogged UConn during its NCAA tournament run last season. More trouble has followed the Huskies into the 2009-10 season.

Eligibility issues forced three Huskies, including starting guard Jerome Dyson, to sit out Wednesday's exhibition opener against Division II American International College at the XL Center.

It didn't matter.

Despite playing with just seven scholarship players, UConn rolled to a 106-67 win.

"Today was a big success overall," senior Gavin Edwards said. "We played well together no matter who was on the floor."

According to a university release, Dyson, junior Donnell Beverly and freshman Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, a pair of reserves, are sidelined "pending evaluation of recently submitted paperwork pertaining to their annual eligibility certification."

Coach Jim Calhoun found out about Coombs-McDaniel's situation Wednesday morning and about Dyson and Beverly later in the afternoon. Freshman Jamaal Trice stepped in for Dyson at starting shooting guard.

The 12th-ranked Huskies dominated every phase of the game, shooting 67.7 percent from the field and holding a 47-19 rebounding edge against the much smaller opponent.

"My main concern obviously was the foul situation," Calhoun said. "We just shot the ball so well. We just rebounded the heck out of the ball and ran pretty well. When you make shots, the game comes easy. … We let up at the end. Overall, I'll take that effort for the first time out."

Six of the seven Huskies played well. Sophomore Kemba Walker showed off his improved jump shot, scoring 28 points to go with 12 assists. Senior Stanley Robinson chipped in 25 points, Edwards had 17 points and freshman Alex Oriakhi, who started at center, added 16 points and 16 rebounds. Trice (nine points) had a solid all-around game as did freshman Darius Smith (nine points, five assists).

"I wasn't nervous at all," Trice said. "I'm never going to forget it. I was so happy out there."

Charles Okwandu, a 7-foot junior, really struggled, grabbing his only rebound in 18 minutes with 12 seconds remaining, and had just two points.

"We've got to really work with Charles a great deal," Calhoun said. "We're going to need him without question."

During his postgame remarks, Calhoun criticized speculation about Dyson and Beverly. The Waterbury Republican-American reported the Dyson and Beverly issue may be related to possible contact with former UConn student manager Josh Nochimson, whose name surfaced last March in a story about alleged recruiting violations involving ex-Husky guard Nate Miles. An NCAA investigation is under way.

"You're so far off base, it's unbelievable," Calhoun said. "The university already has made a statement what happened."

The university statement said that Dyson and Beverly "are not participating pending routine educational document review for eligibility certification. The University is anticipating resolution soon, as early as tomorrow." And Coombs-McDaniel is sitting out "pending initial-eligibility clearance from the NCAA eligibility center. In his case, academic records have been requested and a review of those records is currently underway."

When asked if he expects the trio to play in Sunday's exhibition finale, Calhoun responded: "I can't answer that, but right now I do anticipate that."

g.keefe@theday.com