By Phil Chardis

Special to uconnhuskies.com

STORRS, Conn. – Hassan Diarra can justifiably be proud of his statistics as the UConn men's basketball team wrapped up its non-conference schedule and heads into BIG EAST Conference play Wednesday night at Seton Hall (7 p.m., CBS Sports Network). The senior guard has significantly improved his numbers in just about every offensive category through the same number of games as last year and he has helped the No. 5 Huskies post an impressive 10-1 record.

But Diarra's true worth can't be measured on the stat sheet.

The 6-2 native of Queens, N.Y., has proven to be invaluable as the Huskies' defensive catalyst off the bench, coming up especially big in Quad 1 wins against Texas and Gonzaga. In his second season with UConn after transferring from Texas A&M, Diarra has taken on a larger role as a team leader as well.

"It's a different team this year, a different feel," Diarra said. "It's a different feel for me as well – I feel like I'm in a bigger role than last year, which is what I wanted. I've been here before. I know what Coach wants from us. Last year, I think I was a little inconsistent, but this year, I know clear cut what I need to do and that's what I'm working on bringing every time I go in."

Diarra has usually been the first guard off the bench, spending the opening minutes while waiting for the call studying the game.

"I'm watching everything that's going on on the court – how the game is going, how they're guarding us, how we're guarding them, what positive things are we doing and what mistakes are we making," Diarra explained. "I watch most of the guys that are playing, but I definitely lock in on the matchups at the guard spot. I'm also paying attention to what Coach is saying on the sidelines and so I know what he wants when I'm out there."

What UConn Coach Dan Hurley usually wants from Diarra is disruptive defense and infectious energy.

"Defensively, I have to be there each and every game bringing the effort," he said. "I think defense is the separator, that's where I can separate myself, so that's what I concentrate on."

For the record, Diarra is averaging 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, shooting 48.8 percent overall and 87.5 percent from the foul line, all higher than last season, except the assist average, which is equal.

Watching Hassan's maturation with more than a little family pride is older brother Mamadou, in his fifth season on UConn's coaching staff and his second as the director of player development.

"I think Hassan has figured out exactly what the team needs from him and he's trying to increase that role a lot more," Mamadou Diarra said. "Coach does a great job letting these guys know what exactly is needed from them and I think Hass has fully embraced the role Coach wants him to play. I think that's when everything started to fall into place for him. He has absolutely become a leader this year. He was part of the championship team last year and he played a good amount of minutes, so he can help the younger guys, guide them as they go through it."

Particularly as the Huskies begin play in the rugged BIG EAST. Diarra is one of only six scholarship players on the UConn roster with BIG EAST experience. UConn follows Wednesday's game against Seton Hall by hosting St. John's on Saturday night at the XL Center in Hartford.

"Like in the Gonzaga game, I want to go out there and bring my energy and effort and create winning plays," Hassan said. "Every game in the Big East is tough, and we have to be ready for it."