Two days before college basketball's opening day, UConn officially announced its first two men's games of the 2020-21 season.

As expected, in-state foes Central Connecticut State University and Hartford will visit Gampel Pavilion in Storrs on Wednesday and Friday, respectively. Both non-conference games will start at 8 p.m.

The Huskies will play their season opener just six days after returning to practice from a two-week break due to a player testing positive for COVID-19.

Prior to the shutdown, coach Dan Hurley expressed some concerns about the short preparation time for the first game. The Huskies started practicing again on Thursday.

"That was exciting," associate head coach Kimani Young said on Friday. "The guys looked pretty good. Just getting ready for this upcoming season.

"There's some rust there. I think our strength coach did a great job keeping them in as good a shape as possible. We've just to pick up the pieces and keep on going. It's just one of those years."

While each player and member of the coaching staff will be allowed four tickets apiece, there will be no other fans in attendance.

Both games will be televised, with FS1 carrying the Central Connecticut game and CBS Sports Network broadcasting the Hartford game.

UConn has won all 14 meetings in the series against CCSU. The teams last played in 2015, with the Huskies rolling to a 99-52 decision at the XL Center in Hartford. The Blue Devils, who belong to the Northeast Conference, welcome back seven of their eight top scorers from last season.

Former Husky All-American Donyell Marshall is entering his fifth season as head coach at CCSU. It will be his first time coaching against his alma mater. Marshall (1991-94) and Hurley, a former Seton Hall guard (1991-96), played against each other during their Big East days.

It has been 12 years since UConn faced Hartford. The Huskies have captured 13 straight in the series, holding a 13-1 edge overall. The Hawks, a member of the America East, went 18-15 last season.

UConn is scheduled to play three non-conference games next week, all at Mohegan Sun Arena. The Huskies are expected to compete in the Legends Classic, facing Vanderbilt Dec. 1 and then either BYU or USC on Dec. 3. They'll take on North Carolina State on Dec. 5, if all goes according to plan.

While event organizers have announced those games, the Huskies have yet to post those three on their website.

UConn already has confirmed that it will play five Big East games in December, kicking off its return to the conference by hosting St. John's on Dec. 11 in Storrs. The Huskies also will visit Georgetown on Dec. 13 and Providence Dec. 17, host Creighton Dec. 20, and travel to DePaul on Dec. 23.

g.keefe@theday.com