Jim Calhoun loves to talk about basketball.

And he's going to get chance to talk about sport that's brought him so much joy working as an analyst for ESPN's college basketball coverage this season.

The timing is right for the 72-year-old Calhoun, who retired from coaching in September 2012, ending his Hall of Fame career at UConn.

"I talked to ESPN last year and didn't think it was a great time for me," Calhoun said Thursday. "This year we agreed to do something. We haven't finalized it. I think it would be much better to be in the studio at this point.

"… I missed the game a lot. Being involved with the game has always been important to me and continues to be."

Details are still being worked out. His workload will likely increase once the conference season arrives and during postseason.

Calhoun wants to strike the right balance between television work and the rest of his interests. He remains heavily involved in charity work, enjoys spending time with his family, and makes regular trips to his office at Gampel Pavilion, serving in an advisor's role in the UConn athletic department.

He's still a regular at UConn basketball games and remains close with coach Kevin Ollie.

Stepping into the ESPN world should be an easy transition for the opinionated Calhoun, who's never been at a loss for words and enjoys the spotlight.

He realizes he'll have to take the shortcut instead of his usual long route to deliver his point.

"When you know you've got 10 seconds in the huddle, you've got to be short and concise," Calhoun said. "At times, I'll be that. I have ideas about the game and the future of the game and the NCAA and where we stand as a sport.

"And I'll be around people that I like and know."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe