The Daniel Hamilton fan club is growing.

One coach after another notices Hamilton's impact on a game.

The versatile Hamilton is the most productive all-around player for the 19th-ranked Huskies (2-0), who host Furman (2-1) at noon today at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs.

UConn coach Kevin Ollie is comfortable playing the sophomore forward just about anywhere on the court. Hamilton does a little bit of everything well, as he leads the team in rebounds (10.0) and assists (7.5) per game while adding 10 points, one of five Huskies averaging in double figures.

Not too many 6-foot-6 players possess Hamilton's passing skills.

Following UConn's 85-66 win on Tuesday, New Hampshire coach Bill Herrion was asked if Hamilton, who had his sixth career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds to go with six assists, reminded him of anyone. He gave a highly complimentary answer.

Magic Johnson.

"He's a great, great passer, which I don't think you find really in college basketball anymore," Herrion said.

Hamilton, a Los Angeles native, specializes at breaking down the defense off the dribble, drawing the defense in the lane and dishing off to a teammate — usually Amida Brimah — for an easy basket.

He's a team-first player, too.

"It's my teammates that really help me get those assists," said the humble Hamilton.

The Huskies are difficult to guard when Hamilton is running the point. He's especially effective grabbing a rebound and sparking the fast break, leaving defenders in the dust.

He's focusing on making better decisions. Last year, he tied point guard Ryan Boatright for the most turnovers on the team (81), but also was just one assist behind his teammate, finishing with 128 during his American Athletic Conference rookie season.

"Any player of his caliber we want to get better," Ollie said. "He's just sharing the game. ... We really allow him to play the point guard a little bit on the break. Outlet it to him and let him push it especially when he's at the four. A lot of defenders are not really aware of that and not used to playing a four man that's pushing the ball as a point guard.

"That, plus with the vision that he has and being 6-6 and can look over the defense. I think it's an added advantage for us and an added advantage for him."

Hamilton, who made the Wooden Award preseason top 50 list, will be a matchup problem for Furman. The Paladins may not be familiar to UConn fans, but they have a few dangerous threats on their roster in senior guard Stephen Croone, a Southern Conference player of the year candidate, and reserve Matt Rafferty, a talented freshman forward nearly averaging a double-double (15.3 points, 9.7 rebounds).

"He's an electrifying guard," Ollie said of Croone. "We have to make sure we contain him."

Today's game is part of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, which continues next week in the Bahamas. UConn will play Michigan on Wednesday at the Atlantis Resort at Paradise Island.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter:@GavinKeefe

FURMAN at No. 19 UCONN

Tip: noon (SNY)

Location: Gampel Pavilion, Storrs

Records: Furman 2-1, UConn 2-0

Last game: Furman lost at Charlotte, 77-68, Thursday; UConn defeated New Hampshire, 85-66, Tuesday

Probable starters: Furman, 6-2 so. guard Devin Sibley (10.7 pts, 4.7 rebs), 6-0 sr. guard Stephen Croone (17 pts, 4 assists), 6-4 so. guard Daniel Fowler (7 pts, 5.3 rebs), 6-6 jr. forward Kris Acox (5 pts, 5.7 rebs), 6-9 sr. forward Kendrec Ferrara (6.3 pts, 5.3 rebs)

UConn, 6-2 grad. guard Sterling Gibbs (20.5 pts), 6-4 jr. guard Rodney Purvis (15 pts), 6-7 so. forward Daniel Hamilton (10 pts, 10 rebs, 7.5 assists), 6-7 grad. forward Shonn Miller (10 pts, 6 rebs) 7-0 jr. center Amida Brimah (12 pts, 5.5 rebs, 6 blks)

Noteworthy: Game part of Battle 4 Atlantic, which continues next week in the Bahamas. ... Series: UConn won only other meeting, 87-68, in 1991 Connecticut Mutual Classic. ... Paladins reside in the Southern Conference. Croone, a conference player of the year candidate, missed first 2 games recovering from thumb surgery. ... Top reserve: fr. forward Matt Rafferty (15.3 pts, 9.7 rebs). ... Paladins shooting 40.3 percent, averaging 15.7 turnovers. ... Huskies shooting 53.7 percent from field and averaging 19 assists per game. Won by an average 31.5 points. ... With a win, Ollie will hit 75 career victories, becoming the second fastest UConn coach to reach that mark, only trailing Hugh Greer. ... Up next: UConn faces Michigan on Wednesday in first of three straight games in the Bahamas.