UConn Vs. Columbia: Huskies Tip Off National Title Defense Against Lions

The UConn Huskies college basketball team begins its national championship defense Friday night against the Columbia Lions at the Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT (7 p.m., ESPNU, UConn Radio Network). 

UConn will reveal a new look this season during year one of the post-Kemba Walker era. Jeremy Lamb is expected to take over as UConn's go-to scorer, and coach Jim Calhoun will also rely heavily on returners Shabazz Napier and Alex Oriakhi. The team also expects major contributions from Andre Drummond, a 6-10 center expected to develop into an NBA lottery pick. 

A banner will be risen into the rafters before the game, honoring last year's championship. Some of the returners will probably get goosebumps during the ceremony. But Drummond told the Hartford Courant he might just be angry.

"I was angry watching everybody get their rings," said Andre Drummond, who was at the banquet honoring the 2011 NCAA champions. "It made me want to go out and get a ring."    

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