UConn's Kemba Walker doing his best John Wall impression

Although the 2010-11 UConn Huskies are not considered an early Final Four contender (or even a tournament contender, really) the team is not ready to sacrifice all the headlines to their Lady Husky counterparts.  Nope, the guys plan to make some waves as well this year.

This afternoon, UConn opened the Maui Invitational with an 83-79 win over the Wichita State Shockers.  Much of the credit for this win can be placed on the narrow shoulders of point guard Kemba Walker.  In just 23 minutes, Walker scored 31 points (on 8-of-16 shooting), including the game-sealing jumper with 41 seconds to go.  Even more impressive, Walker was 14-of-15 from the line (!!) which means, of course, that the rest of the Huskies put up their typically lousy 62% FT.

Kemba doing the Dougie.

This is going to be a recurring theme throughout this season.  Walker, a junior, is surrounded by 5 freshmen and 2 sophomores.  Notwithstanding Alex Oriakhi, who is one of SI's Top 10 Sophomore Breakout Candidates, this is a young and inexperienced team.  The only players besides Walker who played real minutes last year are Donnell Beverly (9.8 mpg), Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (11.2 mpg), and Oriakhi (24.6 mpg).  And those three only combined for 9.9 ppg.  So yes, Walker must play like John Wall did last season at Kentucky if UConn stands any chance of making the tournament in 2010-11.

And so far, he has.  Kemba scored 42 points to beat Vermont 89-73 in Hartford last week.  Today he once again carried his team to victory.  UConn is in a rebuilding mode following their late season collapse a year ago, a second-round NIT exit, and an NCAA scandal involving head coach Jim Calhoun.  But in order to stay out of the Big East basement and retain an air of respectability, expect Kemba Walker to carry the Huskies much like John Wall carried the Coach Cal's Wildcats last season.  He may get tested real early with a possible matchup against No. 2 Michigan State in the next round.

And now for some UConn & Kemba Walker thoughts from ESPN Insider -- and fellow attorney -- Jay Bilas:

• No college player worked harder over the summer than Connecticut junior guard Kemba Walker. The speedy point guard worked out at Chris Paul's camp, Deron Williams' camp, LeBron James' camp and trained with the USA men's select team in New York and Las Vegas. In addition, Walker got all of his young teammates together on campus and worked out with them, trying to get some togetherness. He worked hard on his shooting stroke and really tightened it up. He is a much better player this season and earned it with his hard work.

• Calhoun has been through a rough stretch with UConn's recent NCAA issues and the resulting criticism aimed at him. If there is any doubt in one's mind about the kind of guy Calhoun is, all you have to do is consider that George Blaney and Kevin Ollie, two of the best and most respected basketball people you will ever find, swear by Calhoun and have gone "all in" with him and the Connecticut program. To me, that speaks volumes.

• UConn has a really talented freshman class with Roscoe Smith, Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier, Tyler Olander and Niels Giffey. It is a group of long, athletic and skilled players who have a real chance to be something special over the years. Napier, in particular, has special ability. He has terrific quickness and is an instinctive defender who can get steals in a manner that you just cannot teach. He had five steals against Vermont, including a couple right from the opposing point guard. He had a chance to be special defensively.

• Former Seton Hall coach George Blaney is a great teacher and a wonderful influence on the UConn players. Blaney does all of the scouting and has a great effect on the players and Calhoun. Blaney is a basketball lifer and is a pleasure to watch work.