University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Men Start 2006-07 Campaign with First Night
10/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
STORRS, Conn. (October 13, 2006)-- The University of Connecticut men's basketball program kicked off the 2006-07 season with UConn "First Night" Festivities in front of a near capacity crowd at Gampel Pavilion.
Festivities included a laser-light show introduction of the 2006-07 edition of the Huskies, a 3-point contest, a dunk contest and a scrimmage.
Sophomore Craig Austrie captured the title in the three-point shooting contest, defeating freshman Doug Wiggins in the championship round.
Freshman Jerome Dyson won a spirited competition to take the title in the dunk contest. Dyson won the regular contest and then challenged last year's winner, sophomore Marcus Johnson, to a dunk off. Johnson had sat out the regular contest, but pulled off a perfect dunk in the dunk off, forcing Dyson to return to the court to earn the title. The precocious freshman was up to the task, bring the crowd to its feet with a pair of stunning finishes to earn the title.
The Huskies begin practice Saturday morning in preparation for the season opening exhibition contest November 1 at Gampel Pavilion against American International College.
