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The return of basketball - and Steve Lavin - in pictures

The Rumble's exclusive photographs from Friday's Red Storm Tip-Off. Click on the arrows above to see all the pictures.

By Norman Rose
  • Red Storm Tip-Off introductions Walk on Khadim Ndiaye strides in to applause
  • Jamal White Walk-on White dances at Red Storm Tip-Off introductions
  • Team huddle D`Angelo Harrison and Phil Greene hype the team up with dance moves
  • Sweet Sixteen Banner The women's Red Storm squad hopes to keep the momentum going with new head coach Tartamella
  • Lavin's reception line The team greets their enthusiastic head coach
  • Lavin's reception line 2 Lavin continues down the reception line
  • Lavin's reception line 3 Coach Lavin, with mic in hand, greets the rest of his players
  • Steve Lavin Lavin addresses crowd with a short message
  • Steve Lavin Lavin in the spotlight, addressing crowd
  • D`Angelo Harrison Harrison shows a little bounce in the layup line
  • JaKarr Sampson Sampson can kiss the rim. Layup line
  • Phil Greene Phil Greene shows the bunnies in the layup line
  • Felix Balamou Balamou flies into the lights
  • JaKarr Sampson Sampson dunks in the layup line
  • Orlando Sanchez Orlando Sanchez finishes for two
  • Jones, Obekpa Christian Jones + Chris Obekpa at rim
  • Jamal Branch Branch probes the defense, using an Achiuwa screen
  • Marco Bourgault Bourgault looks to pass
  • Achiuwa + Obekpa Obekpa's bothers God`sGift's shot
  • Pointer + Garrett Amir Garrett looks for options with Sir`Dom Pointer guarding
  • Christian Jones dunk Christian Jones through the legs, Branch watches
  • Amir Garrett dunk Garrett slams one home in the dunk contest
  • JaKarr Sampson dunk Sampson gets elevation for the dunk
  • Felix Balamou dunk Balamou with a reverse dunk in the dunk contest

Coach Steve Lavin and coach Joe Tartamella both welcomed fans to be opening of a new season with a Sweet Sixteen banner, a short scrimmage, a shooting contest, and a high flying dunk contest. JaKarr Sampson's hops impressed; but Felix Balamou, Jamal Branch, and Orlando Sanchez all had nice moments.

What does Tip-Off tell us about the Red Storm? Not much. But the pageantry of the first official practice day of the season won't be soon forgotten. Thanks to Tim Dimas for taking the photographs for the Rumble.

See the other related Red Storm Tip-Off articles:

No stoppin' - Steve Lavin returns, looks to lead the Red Storm back to NCAA Tournament

For D'Angelo Harrison, evolution means (some) modesty

Steve Lavin returns to the sidelines; JaKarr Sampson dunks; five notable moments of Red Storm Tip-Off

The Rumble will have more on the returning players this week.

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