Storrs — It's more than just a road race.

The 3.1-mile Husky Run is part of UConn men's basketball tradition.

Shonn Miller is one of several newcomers learning on the fly about the program. He knows how important these traditions are to coach Kevin Ollie, who ran the same course during his playing days.

Miller never experienced anything like Wednesday's Husky Run while at Cornell University, from which he graduated before coming to UConn for his final year of eligibility.

"From the first time he started recruiting me, he's always been big on tradition and obviously this is a part of it," Miller said. "It was a good experience."

The Husky Run officially kicks off the season for Huskies, who hold their first practice Saturday morning. Ollie and sophomore Daniel Hamilton briefly addressed the runners prior to the start outside of Gampel Pavilion.

"It's just important," Ollie said of the run. "Spending time with the fans, seeing them run and seeing us run. ... It's about starting something and finishing something. That's kind of our motto around here — whatever we start, we want to finish.

"... It's always been a mindset of coach (Jim) Calhoun and a mindset of mine, whatever you start, you finish. This is just a start of many things that we're going to incur the pain that we're going to incur during the season. Got to get through and you feel better when you cross that finish line."

Hamilton backed up his prerace prediction that he'd win the race for the first time, posting a time of 20 minutes, 31 seconds. He added a little flair, jogging backward across the line. He was greeted by last year's winner, Amida Brimah, who sat out for a precautionary reason nursing a sore ankle.

"I just tried to take over," Hamilton said. "I said I was going to win a couple of weeks ago, so I had to make sure I lived up to that."

During his prerace speech, Hamilton called last season disappointing, as the Huskies settled for an NIT berth. He's determined to do his part on the court and in the leadership department to help the Huskies return to the NCAA tournament.

Everyone has a winning mindset, according to Hamilton, the American Athletic Conference rookie of the year last season.

"Definitely a different attitude," Hamilton said.

Hamilton said he's in the best shape of his life after working out with NBA players over the summer back home in the Los Angeles area. He had little competition in the Husky Run, beating junior Kentan Facey, the second Husky finisher, by 1:10.

Hamilton is excited about playing with his new teammates, freshmen Steven Enoch and Jalen Adams, Miller and Sterling Gibbs. Transfer Terry Larrier will sit out this season.

They're still learning about UConn basketball traditions and expectations.

"This is all new to me," said Gibbs, a Seton Hall graduate with one year of eligibility remaining. "It's a part of being a part of UConn. They push you to another level but you have a great group that stick together and are right there behind you.

"... It's a lot different than any program I've been at. The expectations are a lot different here."

Ollie expects the new Huskies, especially veterans Gibbs and Miller, will play a pivotal role in the team's success. But their UConn basketball education has just started.

"They haven't been experienced being UConn men yet and what it takes to play that role," Ollie said. "So they will get introduced to that on Saturday a little bit. It should be fun."

News and notes

Ollie expects everyone will be healthy enough to participate in Saturday's practice. Redshirt junior Sam Cassell Jr. (stress fracture) was held out of the Husky Run but will be ready to go. ... For the second straight year, Jon Gill of Wallingford was the top overall finisher, crossing the line in 17:45. ... UConn players finished in this order: Hamilton, Facey, Omar Calhoun (22:43), Enoch (23:24), Christian Foxen (23:48), Adams (24:59), Gibbs (25:12), Rodney Purvis (25;34), Larrier (26:15), Miller (26:15), Phil Nolan (26:30) and Nnamdi Amilo (29:44). ... Ollie decided not to run this year. "Last year the run didn't help," Ollie said. "We didn't make the NCAA tournament, so we've got to switch it up this year."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twittter: @GavinKeefe