Huskies On Ranking: “Just a Name and a Number”

More from Big East Media Day …

NEW YORK – The Huskies, because they are ineligible for the postseason, are developing an us-against-the-world mindset to begin. Being picked ninth in the Big East preseason poll is just another reason to play hard.

“We’ve got something to prove,” Ryan Boatright said. “We know what we’ve got. We don’t feel as if we’re ranked ninth. We’re going to fight every game like we’re No. 1.. … God doesn’t give you anything you can’t handle – that’s what I was always taught.”

Said Tyler Olander, “Preseason doesn’t really matter. Two years ago we went from 10th in the preseason to No.1 in the country.” Shabazz Napier: “I don’t care – do you care? To me it’s just a name and a number.”

Kevin Ollie, reiterating one of his themes, said, “We’re playing for UConn and what all the great players who have played there have built. We have a legacy and we have to live up to it.”