STORRS, Conn. - It's difficult to take much from Midnight Madness. However, here are some observations from my day spent up at UConn.

- 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."