UConn is anxious to kick off its 2015-16 season Friday night against Maine at Gampel. Game starts at 7:30 p.m. (not 7 p.m., per usual).

Here's some of what Sterling Gibbs had to say after Thursday's practice, as he gets set to begin his first and only season as a Husky:



And here's some of what Kevin Ollie had to say:



Elsewhere:

*** Phil Nolan took part in most of Thursday's practice, but Ollie wouldn't completely sign off on Nolan being available to play on Friday, saying that the senior forward was still favoring his ankle a bit.

*** Tyler Olander took in practice. Olander is playing professionally in Lithuania, but recently hurt his leg and is back rehabbing it for a couple of months. It's a similar injury to what DeAndre Daniels sustained over the summer, according to Ollie.