New York — In the last week, coach Jim Calhoun encouraged senior Stanley Robinson to get more involved in the action.

Robinson responded with a renewed aggressiveness Wednesday in the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinal at Madison Square Garden.

In his best all-around game this season, Robinson finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and three steals in No. 13 UConn's victory over LSU.

This development obviously pleased Calhoun, who even clapped for Robinson when the senior forward grabbed his own missed free throw and promptly lost the ball out of bounds early in the second half.

"He's just too good of a basketball player to sit outside and be a jump shooter," Calhoun said. "He has to do more than that."

An energized Robinson attacked from the start. It was a good sign that he took his team's first shot even though he missed. He banked home his second shot. Then he waved off guard Donnell Beverly, using a cross-over dribble to drive the lane for a tough hoop. In the first half alone, Robinson had 12 points, four rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals.

"I wanted to get the team going," Robinson said.

The biggest improvement came in the rebounding department. Entering the game, he had only three offensive rebounds in three games and a 4.7 average overall — a low number by Calhoun's standards. He had five offensive rebounds against LSU and a season high for overall rebounds.

Robinson also played solid defense on Tasmin Mitchell who had nine points on 4-for-12 shooting.

Okwandu starts

Junior Charles Okwandu, a 7-foot center, earned his first start for UConn, replacing senior Gavin Edwards. Freshman Alex Oriakhi moved from center to power forward.

The move, made to add bulk to the starting lineup, paid off for both Okwandu and Edwards.

In a limited role, Okwandu had five rebounds and two blocks in 11 minutes — all season highs — before fouling out with 7:32 remaining. He played only seven minutes without registering a rebound in the first three games.

"He gave us a physical presence," Calhoun said.

Edwards thrived as a spark off the bench, running the floor and muscling inside for 15 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in 35 minutes.

Calhoun hinted that Okwandu may start again Friday in the championship game. That's fine with Edwards who was solely a reserve in his first three years before starting the first three games this season.

"It really doesn't bother me if I can play like that," said Edwards of coming off the bench. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Home away from home

Starting with Wednesday's game, the Huskies play three of five games at Madison Square Garden.

They'll stay in New York for Thanksgiving and prepare to play in the championship/consolation Friday.

After hosting Boston University Dec. 2 and Harvard Dec. 6, UConn returns to New York to face Kentucky Dec. 9 in the SEC/Big East Invitational.

Senior Jerome Dyson enjoys competing on the big stage of Madison Square Garden.

"It's always great to play in the Garden," Dyson said. "I feel you get that extra burst of energy when you step onto the Garden floor because so much is happening there. You always get excited to play there."

News and notes

After going 1-for-6 from the field with three points in the first half, Dyson finished strong, hitting 6 of 10 and scoring 17 points in the second half. ... The Huskies are 6-5 against the other two teams in the NIT Season Tip-Off First Four, going 4-4 versus Duke and 2-1 against Arizona State. They've won the last four against the Blue Devils, including posting a 79-78 victory in the 2004 NCAA championship semifinals. In their last meeting, they beat ASU 82-61 in the Preseason NIT consolation game Nov. 28, 1997. … UConn has failed to win an in-season tournament at MSG in five previous trips. … UConn's Ater Majok, who becomes eligible in mid-December, and Jonathan Mandeldove did not make the trip to New York. Mandeldove is sitting out because of academic issues.

g.keefe@theday.com