- It's going to be awfully difficult to keep freshman point guard Kemba Walker
off the floor. Despite the fact that the team played a 10-minute intrasquad
scrimmage, there's a reason why Walker looks as though he belongs. He's quick, gets into the
lane and a three-guard lineup of him, A.J. Price and Jerome Dyson would be
scary in transition.
- Hasheem Thabeet has added about seven pounds of muscle and is certainly oozing
with confidence - especially on the offensive end. Thabeet has also opted to
get rid of the braids.
- People have to remember that the 21-year-old Thabeet started playing
basketball at the age of 15. He said he started playing because he was tall,
but that he has grown to love it.
- Jim Calhoun looks much thinner after radiation this past summer to treat skin
cancer.
- A.J. Price on his knee. ``If it was a game tonight, I'd be playing. I'm very
close to 100 percent."
- Price on North
Carolina being
the clear-cut preseason No. 1 team: ``They have a good team and deserve
everything they're getting now. As far as them being number one now, it's not
how you start, it's how you finish."
- Adrien on the Tar Heels: ``I'd rather be under the radar."
- Adrien has a chance to become the first player under Calhoun to grab 1,000
career rebounds. He needs 232 this season. ``He's a stud," Calhoun said.
- Price also said he welcomes the opportunity to play off the ball with
freshman Walker. ``He gives us something we didn't have last year - another point
guard. If we need more scoring, I can slide to the two and we won't miss a
beat."
- Calhoun said he would have rather been watching the Boise State football team.
- One insignificant footnote: Jerome Dyson edged out Walker and Gavin Edwards
to win the Slam Dunk Contest.
HARRIS ELIGIBLE IMMEDIATELY AT ALBANY
Albany head coach Will Brown got good news when Virginia transfer Will Harris received a waiver from the NCAA
and will be eligible to play this season.
Harris was granted the waiver due to family hardship.
"He makes us better now," Brown said in a statement. "He is a bigger and
stronger version of Brian Lillis (former UAlbany star) offensively. He
can play positions two through five on offense and defense and is a matchup
problem. If he does not have a major impact as someone coming from the
ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference), I would be shocked."