Storrs — Kevin Ollie found a cure for any pregame jitters during his playing career.

"Once I got elbowed or once I picked up (on defense) 94 feet, the jitters were gone," Ollie said. "Before the game, it wasn't like I was scared or anything. I just cared about being out on the court. I wanted to do well for my team."

Opening night is finally here for Ollie's UConn men's basketball team.

No. 20 UConn hosts Maine in nonconference action at 7:30 tonight at Gampel Pavilion. It will mark the debut of four Huskies.

Two exhibition games gave fans a sneak peek of the newcomers and the rest of the 2015-16 Huskies, who have high expectations for this season.

This will be the third debut of Sterling Gibbs' college career. He previous played at Texas and Seton Hall before moving on to UConn for his graduate season.

"I'm really excited," Gibbs said after practice Thursday. "Exhibition is kind of like a teaser. Even though we played really well and got team chemistry down and everything, the first game starts something special so I'm really looking forward to it."

Gibbs and fellow graduate student Shonn Miller, who played at Cornell and graduated from there, will likely be on the floor tonight for the opening jump.

"Every player, that first game, you want to play well and start that momentum," Ollie said. "I think those guys are going to play well in the confines of the team concept. ... Both of those guys really care about the team and sharing the basketball and going out there and playing UConn basketball."

Ollie has been impressed with how quickly Miller, a 6-foot-7 forward, has learned the defensive concepts. He's noticed that Gibbs has picked up his play in recent practices.

"Sterling is providing that guy that we can count on and can be that rock," Ollie said. "He's really turning it on these last couple of practices. I was like, 'Whoa.' He's going to be a big time player for us."

The Huskies expect to play at a faster pace than last year. As a point guard, Gibbs can serve as an offensive igniter. So can freshman Jalen Adams, who sped up the pace any time he was on the floor during exhibition season.

At least for the near future, Adams and freshman Steve Enoch have secured a spot in the rotation. But no one's playing time is guaranteed in Ollie's what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world.

"It's just a continued work in progress," Ollie said. "They have their roles. But I just don't want them set in their roles because that can change. Somebody can get hot, somebody can be playing great defense, and their roles will expand."

The Huskies open up against a Maine team coming off a dreadful 3-27 season. The Black Bears were picked to finish last in the America East preseason poll.

UConn's versatility will be tested right off. The Black Bears are a small (no player taller than 6-8), quick team that likes to run the floor and attack off the dribble. Ollie worked on transition defense in practice this week.

Ollie may have to shift to a smaller lineup.

As long as the Huskies continue to share the basketball, play stingy defense, control the boards and execute on offense, they'll likely come away with a victory tonight.

That's what all the Huskies want. They're not worried about who looks good on opening night.

"I'm not too caught up in that," said Gibbs about trying to make a splash in his debut. "I want to play well and get off to a good start. We have a long season. I plan on us playing for a long time."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe

MAINE at No. 20 UCONN

Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. (SNY)

Location: Gampel Pavilion, Storrs

Records: Season opener for both teams

Probable starters: UConn, 6-2 grad. guard Sterling Gibbs, 6-4 r-jr. guard Rodney Purvis, 6-7 so. forward Daniel Hamilton, 6-7 grad. forward Shonn Miller, 7-0 jr. center Amida Brimah

Maine, 5-11 so. guard Aaron Calixte, 6-0 so. guard Kevin Little, 6-0 jr. guard Troy Reid-Knight, 6-6 fr. forward Issac Vann, 6-8 sr. forward Till Gloger

Noteworthy: Series: 100th meeting in the series, with UConn owning an 83-16 edge. Huskies captured 12 in a row, winning by the average of 2.6 points. Last loss in 1978. ... Black Bears with nine players, including four starters, back from 3-27 team. Won only one road game, beating Hartford. ... Vann is the cousin of ex-Husky Oliver Macklin. ... Injury update: UConn reserve Phil Nolan (ankle) practiced Thursday. Considered day-to-day. ... Huskies working to improve on 3-point shooting (33 percent) and free throw shooting (65 percent) from two exhibitions. ... Ted Woodward, associate director of development for athletics at UConn, went 117-178 in 10 years as head coach at Maine, losing his job in 2014. Current Maine coach Bob Walsh is a former Providence assistant. ... Up next: UConn hosts New Hampshire Tuesday in Storrs

— Gavin Keefe