A good start for Huskies

Hartford - Prior to UConn's final pre-Big East Conference tune-up Sunday, coach Jim Calhoun made a simple request.

"I asked the players at least to play hard today right from the get-go," Calhoun said.

No. 11 UConn responded with a fast start and solid all-around effort in a 93-74 rout of Iona at the XL Center.

The Huskies (9-2) hustled throughout the non-conference game even with a comfortable lead. Case in point: Holding a 19-point advantage with three minutes remaining, sophomore Kemba Walker forced a turnover, pushed the basketball ahead to Jerome Dyson, who lofted a nice alley-oop pass to Stanley Robinson for dunk.

"That's what we are and that's how we are going to continue to win games," Walker said. "We have to continue to play hard and make little plays like that. When I got that steal, everyone got excited."

UConn is certainly excited to enter Big East play, starting at Cincinnati Wednesday. Notre Dame visits Saturday. Eighteen of the final 20 regular season games are against conference foes.

There were several encouraging developments Sunday.

The Huskies ended their string of sluggish starts at three games, jumping out to a 14-point halftime lead. A lethal transition game that produced a season-high 28 fast break points fueled an improved offense, which had averaged just 64 points in the previous three games.

UConn also recorded season highs for field goal percentage (58.9) and assists (22).

"They played terrific," Iona coach Kevin Willard said. "That was the best that I've seen them on film so far, and they looked great. … We just couldn't stop them in transition."

Five different players scored in double figures, including Robinson, who had 19 of season-high 29 points in the second half and went 13-for-18 from the field with his family from Alabama including daughters Kamilah, 4, and Kelsi, 2, in attendance.

"It helps to have family here," said Robinson who's averaging 23 points in the last three games. "As long as they've been here, I've been playing great. I'm happy."

UConn also received a valuable contribution from reserves Gavin Edwards (10 points, nine rebounds, two blocks) and freshman Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (a career-best 13 points). The Huskies are looking to expand their depth and find a shooter.

Coombs-McDaniel, who's struggled adapting to Calhoun's tough love style, has the potential to fit that role. He went 4-for-4 from the field, including hitting both 3-pointers.

"Coaches just keep telling me to play basketball and everything will take care of itself," Coombs-McDaniel said.

For all the Huskies, it all starts with playing hard. Sunday, they fed off Iona's defensive pressure, which helped generate a faster tempo. The speedy backcourt duo of Dyson (17 points, seven assists) and Walker (14 points, seven assists) thrived. The Huskies led 14-6 four minutes into the game and 45-31 at intermission.

"We came out with a different attitude," Dyson said.

Robinson put on a show in the second half, using his deadly bank shot to sink a variety of short to mid-range jumpers.

"Stanley makes the game look easy," Calhoun said. "And when a guy makes the game look easy, that means there's a lot more that he can do."

Of course, Calhoun sees room for growth for his Huskies. He was unhappy his team allowed Iona (8-5) too much penetration down the middle. His special project in upcoming weeks will be to get more scoring production from freshman big men Ater Majok and Alex Oriakhi, who combined for just 10 points.

But, overall, Calhoun left the XL Center happy and ready for Big East play.

"I think we're getting better…," Calhoun said. "Everybody has got work to do as we step forward on a wonderful journey."