Jim Calhoun had a This Is Your Life, moment or two last Aug. 10, when the Huskies held an alumni game and about 30 of his former players showed up. Not surprisingly, about 10,000 fans also came to watch.

The game, which included the likes of Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Cliff Robinson, Khalid El-Amin, Donyell Marshall and Kevin Ollie, along with a golf tournament raised nearly $400,000 for a foundation that Calhoun and his wife, Pat, started for heart research.

But listening and watching his former players tell stories convinced Calhoun of something even more than his 624 career wins and one national championship, eight Sweet 16 appearances and seven Big East regular-season titles in the past 13 years:

He picked the right profession.

"I think every human being -- and most of us aren’t honest enough to say it -- doesn’t necessarily need reaffirmation that you do a good job, but you do need reaffirmation at times that the relationships you’ve had over the years are very important," said the coach for the past 16 seasons in Storrs, Conn. "That’s the thing that came home to me. It was a very special night."

Calhoun has collected another good crop of young players who will mix with a few more young veterans this season. They should make up a squad that has the goods to make a run at another Big East crown and Sweet 16 appearance.

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But the Huskies will have to do it without their unquestionable leader last year, All-American Caron Butler. The silky smooth forward who, left after his sophomore season for the NBA (he was drafted with the 10th overall pick by Miami), did just about everything he could for UConn last year -- except lead it back to the Final Four.

Butler blossomed into one of the country’s best players, averaging 20.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. He led the second-seeded Huskies to an Elite Eight showdown against top-seeded Maryland in the East Region. In an epic back-and-forth battle in which neither team led by more than three points from the 14-minute mark until just 36 seconds remained, the Terrapins emerged with a 90-82 victory. The loss halted a 12-game win streak that saw the Huskies win their fifth Big East Tournament championship since 1990. Butler was simply brilliant that night, scoring 26 of his 32 points in the second half.

In a program such as UConn’s, there are plenty of memorable games over the years. That day in Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome was one of them.

"We played Duke for the national title and Duke again in a double-overtime game in the Final Eight in 1990. There was the UCLA game, 100-96, in the Final Eight in Oakland and a great Georgetown game when there were seven future pros on the court," Calhoun recalled, rattling off some of the Huskies’ thrillers. "With all that said, that game (last year) was one of the best I think you’re ever going to see.

"If we would have won that game and went on to play Kansas [in the Final Four] I would have liked our chances that we could have gone to Atlanta and won the thing again."

Instead, Maryland made it to a second straight Final Four and won its first NCAA crown.

Life will be much tougher for the rest of the Huskies without the luxury of having someone like Butler around, a true go-to player who could get his own shot whenever he wanted and take over a game at any moment. As Calhoun said, "Caron’s confidence spilled over on everybody else."

But UConn is well equipped for L.A.B. (Life After Butler).

The only other significant loss is senior power forward Johnnie Selvie, a good low-post defender and serviceable scorer who averaged 11.6 points and 6.0 rebounds. Seven returnees, including starters Taliek Brown, sophomore center Emeka Okafor and senior swingman Tony Robertson, are back. That should make the Huskies deep enough again to run, but some of that depth will be young and talented -- like several Big East teams this year.

Sophomore Ben Gordon could be ready for a breakout year. He played a starter’s minutes last season (24.8 average) and was the No. 2 scorer behind Butler. The supremely talented shooting guard averaged 12.6 points per game and with Butler gone that should mean Gordon will get more than the nine shots he averaged last year.

"It won’t surprise me if he becomes our leading scorer," Calhoun said of the 6-foot-2 sharpshooter with great leaping ability.

Back at the controls for a third straight season is junior point man Brown, who averaged 10.2 points and 5.1 assists last year. He gives the youngsters a veteran leader but will need to shoulder a little more of the scoring load. His sticky defense will continue to give opponents fits.

"I think Taliek kind of goes undistinguished a lot because he’s not a particularly great shooter," Calhoun said of the player who made .303 from behind the 3-point arc last year.

He wants the Huskies to become more of a threat from long range. "If there’s one thing we didn’t do enough of it was make threes," he said.

UConn had the best percentage in the Big East last year from downtown (.394), but only made 154 treys. That ranked next to last in the league (only St. John’s had fewer) and was a whopping 90 behind Notre Dame and 93 behind leader Seton Hall (247).

Robertson, Brown’s backcourt mate a year ago, will have to be a part of a better bomb squad. He averaged 11.3 points and made a team-high .436 from 3-point range. Gordon made them at a .413 clip and Butler was at .400. But then it dropped off.

That’s why Calhoun recruited shooters such as freshman Rashad Anderson, a 6-4 guard from Florida and Top-50 recruit who averaged 26 points as a senior, and 6-5 swingman Denham Brown, who dropped 111 points in a high school game in Canada last year, an assault that included 13 3-pointers.

"We’ve found him to be one of the most talented freshmen to come here in a really long time and we’ve had some good ones," Calhoun said.

Another newcomer, 6-8 Marcus White out of Chicago, should help fill the rebounding loss of Butler and Selvie. White averaged 15.7 boards as a senior. The other freshman, lanky 6-10 forward/center Hilton Armstrong, could help more later in the season.

But there are four frontcourt returnees, led by Okafor, who should help in that department. The others are 7-0 senior Justin Brown (1.9 rpg last year), 6-8 senior space-eater Mike Hayes (1.5 ppg) and 6-8 sophomore Scott Hazelton (1.9 ppg), a former McDonald’s All-American who has Butler’s body but lacks the all-around game.

All will need to step up their production.

Okafor’s game was awesome last year. The 6-9 sophomore ranked third in the nation in blocked shots (4.1 per game) and broke Donyell Marshall’s UConn record with 138. His nine rebounds per game were second in the nation among freshmen and Okafor was a first-team freshman All-American and third-team All-Big East pick. Calhoun is excited about Okafor’s potential and if the powerful, long-armed Texan can develop some more offensive moves he could one of the best big men in the country.

"He’s one of those guys who, regardless of whether we’re in Oklahoma or North Carolina (on this year’s schedule), he can block a couple of shots in a two- or three-minute span and have a few dunks and really change a game," Calhoun said.

UConn will be young, but it’s a good young and expect Calhoun to be able to get the most out of his players. He has been doing it for years now and the Huskies have the horses to run with the best in the land.

"I think the principles and values of discipline haven’t changed a bit in coaching. I think I’m really tough on my kids and you can see that during the game at times," he said. "Conversely, I’ve packaged it in 2002: You need to give kids more time, I like giving kids more time."

He will gnaw on his gum and stomp his feet and get in a kid’s face if he has to. But, in the end, he thinks they know the method to his madness and moments like Aug. 10 -- when all of those UConn players came back to Storrs -- are what make it all worthwhile.

"I think they enjoyed their experience here because we pushed them and demanded the very best from them and I think that’s what people want in life," Calhoun said. "You can get on kids, but they also have to understand ‘how and why’ more and maybe explain a little more to them away from the scene why you care so much about them and why you push them so much."

SF -- CARON BUTLER (6-7, 235 lbs., SO., 20.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.1 spg, 36 minutes, .486 FG, .400 3PT, .779 FT). After a freshman season when he showed so much promise, Butler delivered on it and might be harder to replace than other UConn stars such as Richard Hamilton and Khalid El-Amin who also departed early for the NBA.

Butler earned honorable mention All-America honors from The Associated Press and became the 33rd player at Connecticut to reach the 1,000-point plateau, becoming the third quickest in school history to reach the milestone. He finished his collegiate career with 1,136 points (18.0 ppg), 477 rebounds (7.6 rpg), 190 assists (3.0 apg) and 143 steals (2.27 spg) while shooting 46.5 percent (404-868) from the floor, 36.4 percent (44-121) from 3-point range and 76.8 percent (284-370) from the free-throw line.

The most telling stat, however, might be this: Butler scored in double figures in 62 of his 63 career games, including each of his final 49 contests. Talk about dependable.

"I think it’d be ridiculous for us to think we’re going to replace him, per say, because he could get us points at any time, he was a great rebounder, he was physical. He was a terrific player," Calhoun said. "At the end of last year, in my opinion, there weren’t any guys in college basketball any better, maybe some as good, but no one better."

PF -- JOHNNIE SELVIE (6-7, 235 lbs., 11.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 28.7 minutes, .510 FG, .579 FT). Selvie is one of those players who contributed in a lot of ways that didn’t show up on the score sheet. He was a good defender in the post and with his long arms altered more shots than he blocked. He also was capable of the occasional big offensive night if he had a defender he could abuse and always gave UConn an honest effort on the glass.

"When we had Johnnie, Caron and Emeka going after the basketball, I think we were a plus six or seven on the boards, that made life easier," Calhoun said.

G -- KWASI GYAMBIBI (6-0, 175 lbs., 0.3 ppg, 0.3 rpg, 1.4 minutes). A walk-on, he played in 10 games and scored a total of three points, matching his output from his junior season. All of those points came on free throws.

SG -- ROBERT SWAIN (6-4, 205 lbs., SO., 1.6 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 2.0 minutes). A decent shooter who saw action in five games (none in the Big East), he transfered to the College of Charleston.

G -- ACE WATANASUPARP (5-6, 150 lbs., 0.0 ppg, 1.3 minutes). Saw action in four games, including two in the Big East for a total of five minutes played.

PG -- TALIEK BROWN (6-1, 185 lbs, JR., #12, 9.2 ppg, 5.1 apg, 3.3 rpg, 3.3 tpg, 31.4 minutes, .456 FG, .303 3PT, .650 FT, St. John’s Prep/Queens, N.Y.). There is no doubt he can run a team, make plays and set up his teammates (three double-digit assists games last year). Brown is also a good defender. But what UConn will need more out of him this year, as its most senior starter (third year), is even more leadership than he showed last year. He’ll also need to provide a little more offense. As a freshman, Brown took only 20 3-pointers. That allowed defenders to slough off. Last year, he shot only 33 times from long range.

"The three biggest things are he makes big shots, he’s tough as nails and he makes us run. He’s one of those kids who will get into you and stay with you," Calhoun said.

SG -- TONY ROBERTSON (6-2, 200 lbs, SR., #32, 11.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.2 spg, 27.7 minutes, .498 FG, .436 3PT, .779 FT, St. Andrew’s HS/Providence, RI). More of a slasher than a shooter, Robertson must continue to develop confidence from the perimeter to best suit the Huskies. That doesn’t mean his versatility doesn’t help, but he needs to be a long-range factor and to be more consistent.

"He’s an awfully talented player and he made some big plays for us last year in big games," Calhoun said of the player who averaged 13.3 points and was selected to the NCAA East Region All-Tournament Team. "But he’s capable of having an 18-point game and then ... an 8-point game."

Robertson needs more of his 8-for-11 (vs. N.C. State) and 8-for-13 (Boston College) nights and fewer 2-for-10s (Miami) and 0-for-5s (Villanova).

SG -- BEN GORDON (6-2, 185 lbs., SO., #4, 12.6 ppg, 3.1 apg, 2.7 rpg, 1.0 spg, 24.8 minutes, .510 FG, .413 3PT, .726 FT, Mount Vernon HS/Mount Vernon, N.Y.). Gordon is a fearless guard who wasn’t afraid to take the big shot despite being a rookie in the Big East. How else do you explain his monster Big East Tournament: 23 points vs. Villanova, 19 vs. Notre Dame and 11 vs. Pittsburgh. Gordon was a combined 9-for-16 from 3-point range and was chosen to the All-Tournament Team.

Gordon connected for his career high of 23 points three other times and received UConn’s Most Improved Player Award. He was also honored as a member of the Big East All-Rookie team. He could be primed for a big season.

"He’s gotten bigger, stronger and faster," Calhoun said.

SF -- SCOTT HAZELTON (6-8, 210 lbs., SO, #21, 2.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 8.5 minutes, .405 FG, .789 FT, Central Catholic HS/Reading, Mass.). Calhoun sounded a little impatient with Hazelton, who battled a foot injury as a high school senior and red-shirt freshman two years ago. A former McDonald’s All-American, Calhoun wants to see Hazelton deliver on his promise of averaging 28.8 points and 12.2 rebounds in high school. He has good size, strength and quickness but his development suffered last year with Butler having such a great season and chewing up so many minutes.

"This is his moment," Calhoun said. "He should be our starting [small forward] but that’s up to him."

C -- EMEKA OKAFOR (6-9, 240 lbs., SO., #50, 7.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 4.1 bpg, 30.0 minutes, .590 FG, .630 FT, Bellaire HS/Houston, Texas). He was supposed to be brought along somewhat slowly early last year, but Calhoun couldn’t keep the driven Okafor out of the lineup. He started all 34 games and became one of the nation’s most feared shot blockers. The Sporting News and Basketball Times selected Okafor a first-team freshman All-American. He also was a unanimous pick for the Big East All-Rookie team and was also a third-team all-conference choice.

With long arms, a strong body and great feel for blocking shots and rebounding, Okafor could be a potential lottery pick if he develops some effective post moves. His shot blocking allows the Huskies to overplay on the perimeter. Okafor has been nominated for this year’s Wooden Award and had a productive summer for the 3.97 student, who brings 58 credit hours into his sophomore year. His basketball highlights included the Nike camp for big men and working at Michael Jordan’s camp.

"He’ll get his 10 rebounds and close to five blocks and another five intimidations," Calhoun said. "If he improves offensively the way he appears to have [also added 10 pounds] he can really be a special player.’’

C -- JUSTIN BROWN (7-0, 245 lbs, SR., #20, 1.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 7.2 minutes, .429 FG, .533 FT, Australian Institute/Perth, Australia). One of three seniors on the team, the rail-thin Brown has all of the tools to help the Huskies and be more than a role player. That’s just what Calhoun wants to see. He’d love to use Brown at center and Okafor as a power forward, but all of that depends on Brown, who has some decent post moves and a good short jumper.

"It’s not consistency with him, it’s just confidence," Calhoun said.

PF -- MIKE HAYES (6-8, 215 lbs., SR., #25, 1.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 8.0 minutes, .440 FG, .667 FT, Arkansas City (Kan.) JC/Hartford, Conn.). Last year’s first forward off the bench will be counted on to pick up a lot of the rebounds and hustle plays that Selvie got to. Hayes has enough braun to battle with the Big East’s best and that’s why the Huskies will need him for. His production picked up late last year. Hayes scored 29 of his 40 points and went 7-for-14 from the field in the final 12 games.

SF -- DENHAM BROWN (6-5, 220 lbs., FR., #33, 30.0 ppg, 6 rpg, West Hill Collegiate HS/Toronto, Canada). A real scorer who is hailed as the best high school player ever produced north of the border. (Apologies to NBA players and Canadians Steve Nash, Jamaal Magloire and Todd MacCulloch).

Denham gained acclaim last season by scoring 111 points on Feb. 7, 2002, in a 150-58 victory over R.H. King Lions in Scarborough. That included 13 3-pointers and a 41-point third quarter. When Brown felt Caron Butler was headed to the NBA and he could get minutes as a freshman, he leaned to UConn over Kansas, Virginia, Villanova, Rutgers and Boston College.

He can shoot and is athletic and will fit in nicely with the Huskies’ style as a good finisher on the break. The question is what kind of competition did he face in Canada?

"Maybe [111 points] doesn’t mean that much because of the competition," Calhoun said. "But to me 111 points is still 111 points. He has looked terrific in workouts."

SG -- RASHAD ANDERSON (6-4, 190 lbs., FR., #31, 22.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 5 apg, Kathleen HS/Lakeland, Fla.). He will add depth to an already experienced backcourt but more importantly he will add outside shooting. The state player of the year in Florida, he was rated No. 17 in his class by ESPN.com. He has the potential to become UConn’s next strong wing player and follow in the footsteps of his all-time favorite player, Ray Allen.

"As we viewed other kids during the recruiting process, it was clear that Rashad is one of the top offensive players in this senior class," Calhoun said.

PF -- MARCUS WHITE (6-8, 215 lbs., FR., #23, 25.8 ppg, 15.7 rpg, Whitney Young HS/Chicago, Ill.). A rebounding machine from the Windy City, White was a late yet timely addition to the recruiting class. He was a two-time all-state performer.

"He is tremendously athletic and will fill the role of the prototypical UConn four-man, giving us a tenacious rebounder and relentless worker," Calhoun said.

G/F -- SHAMON TOOLES (6-5, 210 lbs., JR., #30, 0.9 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 4.4 minutes, Coatesville HS/Coatesville, Pa.). He played a season-high 19 minutes against Villanova and saw action in 20 games overall. He is an athletic wing and that was not the spot to be in last year with Butler. But Tooles could be a depth guy off the bench and see more action this year.

G -- CHAD WISE (6-5, 190 lbs., SO., #5, 1.0 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 2.8 minutes, Lonoke HS/Lonoke, Ark.). As a pretty good 3-point shooter, he could see some minutes, but last year only saw action in 11 games. He was a two-sport standout in football and basketball in high school.

G -- MIKE WOODWARD (6-5, 215 lbs., SR., #35, 0.0 ppg, 1.5 minutes, Rocky River HS/Rocky River, Ohio). A walk-on, he has appeared in nine games over his three seasons.

F/C -- HILTON ARMSTRONG (6-10, 205 lbs., FR., #11, 14.1 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 4.6 bpg, 2.1 apg, Peekskill HS/Peekskill, N.Y.). A player Calhoun thinks was underrated by the recruiting gurus, Armstrong went to the same high school as former Duke standout and NBA All-Star Elton Brand. Just like Brand, he helped lead Peekskill to the state title.

"His combination of quickness, size and touch have me very excited," Calhoun said.

Calhoun has lots of options and the best part for Huskies fans is almost all of them include talented players.

UConn had to work hard for a lot of points last year because it didn’t drain many 3-pointers (13th in the Big East). That should change this year with the reins off Gordon and Robertson and the addition of freshmen Anderson and Denham Brown. Last year UConn played several close games. With another young bunch, don’t expect that to change.

"Last year we were just one of those teams that were too young to really put you away but good enough to not go away. But by the time we did play Maryland, I think our confidence level, our belief level was up," Calhoun said.

Two players stepping forward are crucial: Hazelton and Justin Brown. Hazelton’s ability to be a poor man’s Butler will be key and if Brown can give UConn some quality post play that will allow Okafor to showcase his improving offensive skills facing the basket.

Someone -- Taliek Brown, Robertson, Gordon or Okafor -- will have to step up with the game on the line. Figuring out who that will be might take a while, but the Huskies will do it and should thrive again. A return to the Final Four isn’t likely -- how many programs could lose a player of Butler’s stature and even think about it? -- but watch out next year.