UConn men to open against Michigan State in Germany

UConn will open its 2012-13 basketball season with a homecoming game of sorts.

The Huskies, who have three players from Germany — Leon Tolksdorf and Niels Giffey (both from Berlin) and Enosch Wolf (Goettingen) — will play Michigan State on Nov. 9 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

The game, which still needs official approval from the U.S. Department of Defense, will take place two days before Veterans Day. The game will be televised live by ESPN.

"I'm looking forward to this," coach Jim Calhoun told ESPN.com. "We both consider ourselves national programs and we're going across the sea to Germany. It's a special thing for our (servicemen and women), a special game for our kids. We get to play a good team.

"There is an awful lot of good in this for all sides."

The two teams last met in 2010 Maui Invitational, with UConn upsetting then-No. 2 Michigan State. The Huskies went on to win the national championship.

Last year Michigan State and North Carolina played the first game on an aircraft carrier, competing aboard the USS Carl Vinson in San Diego in November.

UConn and Arizona attempted to set up a game on an aircraft carrier for the fall but the meeting hit a snag.

"We had talked about an aircraft game, but it didn't work out and we took this opportunity," Calhoun said. "This will be something that our kids will remember for their lifetime."

NBA draft talk

Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb are projected to be lottery picks in the 2012 NBA Draft, which is set for Thursday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

After speaking with a number NBA front office people in the weeks leading up to the draft, Calhoun has a good feel for where his Huskies might go.

"Andre looks to be in top six," Calhoun said. "Jeremy looks like he's at least a top 12 or 15 player minimum, if not higher."

About Drummond, Calhoun said: "He clearly has incredible potential."

About Lamb, Calhoun said: "Jeremy is going to be the best long range shooter in the draft."

Calhoun added that Lamb has a better chance than Drummond to help an NBA team right away.

Recruiting for the future

Calhoun is growing tired of being asked about his future at UConn.

"I have two years left on my contract," Calhoun said. "I don't know what you want me to say."

"... It's not like there is a mystery around here. There is going to be a point next year or so on I'm not going to be coaching anymore. We're recruiting for UConn and I'm part of it."

Calhoun expects several potential future Huskies to visit campus this summer. He's pleased with the level of recruits interested in UConn.

"The response has been great," Calhoun said.

Napier healing

Guard Shabazz Napier is home in the Boston area resting his sore right foot. His foot was placed in a boot last week for a period of six weeks.

Napier experienced pain in the same foot during last season but the latest issue is not the same injury. His foot bothered him again while recently trying out for the Puerto Rican national team.

He made the team but decided to return home to rest.

"The pounding every day got to him," Calhoun said. "He just didn't want to take a chance. He's going to have to take some time off. It's best to put his foot in the boot."

Calhoun added that Napier will be fine for the upcoming season.

News and notes

Incoming freshmen Omar Calhoun and Phil Nolan arrived on campus this week. ... Calhoun on former Norwich Free Academy and Holy Cross standout R.J. Evans, who joined the program: "He's getting back in shape. He says he's never worked as hard in his life." ... Sophomore Ryan Boatright attended Chris Paul's CP3 Elite Guard Camp earlier this month in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was one of 20 players invited. "I had some good reports about Ryan," Calhoun said.

g.keefe@theday.com