UConn women's basketball

New blog location

2010-10-25T13:32:00.001-04:00

Here is the new blog, covering both UConn men and women basketball teams.

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/huskies_on_the_run_blog

2010-11 Schedule

2010-09-17T15:16:00.000-04:00

It's not going to be easy, but the Huskies usually don't care for easy. The schedule features: Baylor, Georgia Tech, LSU, Ohio State, Florida State, Stanford, Duke and Oklahoma. If UConn is to match UCLA's 88-game win streak, it will happen at MSG against Ohio State. To break it, two nights later at Gampel vs. FSU.

NOVEMBER
Thu. 4 FRANKLIN PIERCE (exhib.) Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn. 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 10 INDIANA UNIVERSITY (Pa.) (exhib.) XL Center, Hartford, Conn. 7 p.m.
Sun. 14 HOLY CROSS Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn. 2 p.m.
State Farm Tip-Off Classic, XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
Tue. 16 BAYLOR ESPN2 6 p.m.
Sun. 21 at Georgia Tech Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Atlanta, Ga. 2 p.m.
World Vision Challenge, Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn.
Fri. 26 LSU vs. Lehigh 5 p.m.
CONNECTICUT VS. HOWARD 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 27 LSU vs. Howard 5 p.m.
CONNECTICUT VS. LEHIGH 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 28 Lehigh vs. Howard 2 p.m.
CONNECTICUT VS. LSU 4:30 p.m.
DECEMBER
Thu. 2 *at South Florida USF Sun Dome, Tampa, Fla. TBD
Sun. 5 SACRED HEART XL Center, Hartford, Conn. 1 p.m.
Thu. 9 *MARQUETTE Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn. 7:30 p.m.
Maggie Dixon Classic, Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.
Sun. 19 Rutgers vs. Texas A&M 12 p.m.
Connecticut vs. Ohio State 2:30 p.m.
Tue. 21 FLORIDA STATE XL Center, Hartford, Conn. 7 p.m.
Tue. 28 at Pacific Alex G. Spanos Center, Stockton, Calif. 10 p.m.
Thu. 30 at Stanford Maples Pavilion, Palo Alt, Calif. 9 p.m.
JANUARY
Wed. 5 *VILLANOVA Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn. 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 8 *at Notre Dame Purcell Pavilion, South Bend Ind. 2 p.m.
Wed. 12 *at St. John’s Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y. 9:30 p.m.
Sat. 15 *LOUISVILLE XL Center, Hartford, Conn. TBD
Mon. 17 at North Carolina Carmichael Auditorium, Chapel Hill, N.C. 7 p.m.
Sat. 22 *PITTSBURGH Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn. 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 26 *at Rutgers Louis Brown Athletic Center, Piscataway, N.J. TBD
Sat. 29 *at Cincinnati First Third Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio TBD
Mon. 31 DUKE Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn. 7 p.m.
FEBRUARY
Sat. 5 *DEPAUL Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn. 2 p.m.
Tue. 8 *at West Virginia West Virginia Coliseum, Morgantown, W. Va. 7 p.m.
Sat. 12 *at Providence Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Providence, R.I. TBD
Mon. 14 OKLAHOMA XL Center, Hartford, Conn. 7 p.m.
Sat. 19 *NOTRE DAME Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn. TBD
Tue. 22 *SETON HALL XL Center, Hartford, Conn. 7 p.m.
Sat. 26 *at Georgetown McDonough Arena, Washington, D.C. 3 p.m.
Mon. 28 *SYRACUSE Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Conn. 7:30 p.m.

Quotes from Jacquie

2010-09-14T21:20:00.000-04:00

There will be a story online, but this is what didn't get in:

On not serving as a grad assistant with ex-Husky Tonya Cardoza at Temple:
“It would have been great to go down there and get my Masters and work with Tonya, but at the end of the day this came along and this is what I want to do so why not jump right into it. I had to take it.”

On her responsibilities:
“It’s much different from the UConn build where there’s the job that we have, we have Sarah Darras, we have all these positions, but at Fairfield, the whole program literally gets run through me from travel to film exchange to video. It’s pretty crazy.

On landing the Fairfield job:
“I feel extremely fortunate and blessed. So many times I’ve heard, ‘You’re so lucky to get a job right after college.’ I definitely feel very, very lucky. I know people who are struggling to get jobs.”

On her UConn experience:
“I was able to learn from so many different people there and gain so much experience being under that program. Here, I’m taking on so many responsibilities each and every day and literally have this program run through me. I’m excited for it and I’m ready to take on the challenge that I have ahead of me. Hopefully, I can make Coach (Joe) Frager and all the other coaches’ jobs easier.”

On her career and still wanting to coach in the future:
“I’m very fortunate. I’m only 21, I have my whole life ahead of me, I know I’ll have a great career. But this is just great experience coming right out of college. I’m in all the staff meetings, I know what’s going on. ... The players coaches call me Coach Fernandes, and I feel like I am a coach even though I can’t directly say, ‘Do X, Y and Z.’ Coaching is what I want to do but I think this is an unbelievable experience to have. It’s going to be great for whatever university I end up at next.”

On being called "Coach":
“It’s definitely different. I’m sure some of the seniors are 21 and are my age, but it’s great I know what they’re going through. I’ve been through it at the best program at the country. I’ve done everything that they’re doing.”

Fernandes at Fairfield

2010-09-14T20:02:00.000-04:00

former UConn guard Jacquie Fernandes was named Fairfield University's Director of Basketball
Operations this morning. Fernandes will be responsible for team travel and the day-to-day operations of the women's basketball office.

"I am very pleased to add Jacqui to our staff," said coach Joe Frager in a release. "Jacqui has been a winner, not just in college, but throughout her high school career as well. With her enthusiasm and work ethic, she is a welcome addition."

I've placed a call to Jacquie, so I'll let you know what she has to say when she gets back to me.

UConn, Baylor to meet in Tip-off Classic

2010-09-08T17:25:00.001-04:00

This is from Baylor's athletic site:
http://www.baylorbears.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/090810aaa.html

UConn will open its season and defend its undefeated streak on Nov. 16 at the XL Center against Baylor, in a rematch from the Final Four.

The game will be held Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.

Said Huskies coach Geno Auriemma: "We are very excited to be a part of ESPN's Tip-Off Marathon," Auriemma said. "Baylor is an outstanding team and the ESPN audience, along with the crowd at the XL Center, should be treated to a great game. Once again State Farm has stepped up to help make this possible and I would like to pass along my thanks to them."

Not for nothing

2010-08-25T10:09:00.000-04:00

But doesn't it make you shake your head when UConn and Tennessee announced they will play in men's basketball?

It tells you how much of what's happened on the women's side really didn't worry the athletic directors and their departments. Then again, the Lady Vols do have essentially their own corner of the universe in Knoxville.

And no, I don't think we are seeing the women coming close to playing. However, Pat Summitt has been awfully lucky (read bad) that her team hasn't played UConn the last three years.

Doty done for the year

2010-08-12T16:54:00.000-04:00

Junior UConn women’s basketball guard Caroline Doty will miss the entire 2010-11 season after tearing her left Anterior Crucitate Ligament late last month, the university announced Wednesday.

“We are all obviously disappointed for Caroline, but we know that she will work very hard to be ready for next season,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said in a statement.

There was no word how the Doylestown, Pa., product was injured, but she will undergo surgery in the coming weeks and begin the rehabilitation process. This is the third time Doty sustained this injury.

Doty first tore her left ACL while playing soccer during her senior year in high school. The second instance came just 17 games into her freshman year at UConn.

Although Doty will have two years of eligibility remaining, this latest setback calls into question whether Doty will play again.

Doty started 38 of 39 games last season for UConn, which went undefeated and won the national championship for the second straight season. She averaged 7.35 points per game over her two seasons with the Huskies.

With Doty sidelined, point guard duties will likely fall upon highly regarded freshman Bria Hartley.
Hartley is ranked by ESPN as the fourth-best point guard and 14th overall prospect among incoming freshmen.

Senior Lorin Dixon may also get the chance to start, but she has been highly inconsistent throughout her first three years at UConn.

A return to New York

2010-07-28T18:46:00.001-04:00

It was announced Wednesday that UConn will participate in the Maggie Dixon Classic on Dec. 19 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

UConn will face Ohio State, which should be a battle of Top 10 teams. The second game will feature Rutgers and Texas A&M.

The Huskies played against Penn State as part of the event in 2008.

UConn flavors Team USA roster against WNBA All-Stars

2010-07-01T22:04:00.000-04:00

The 11 members of the United States’ national team that will take on the WNBA All-Stars on July 10 at Mohegan Sun Arena was announced Thursday. The national team will have a decided Connecticut flavor with more than half having ties to UConn.

Led by Huskies coach Geno Auriemma, former Huskies Sue Bird and Swin Cash (Seattle Storm), Tina Charles and Renee Montgomery (Connecticut Sun), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) and current Husky Maya Moore will represent their country. Also playing for the national team will be Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Candice Dupree (Phoenix Mercury), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream) and Cappie Pondexter (New York Liberty).

“This training camp is the first and only opportunity that I’m going to have the chance to be with the majority of the players that were in the last Olympics that were a part of our core group,” Auriemma said in a statement. “So whatever amount of time we have, it’s going to be used in the best way that we can. We’ll get a chance to see how they interact with each other. They’ll get a feel for me, and I’ll get a feel for them and we’ll play the game and go from there.

“I’m looking forward to having an opportunity to coach them and to get a feel for them in game situations,” Auriemma continued. “So, I’m really excited. Some of them I haven’t seen play yet, and I really haven’t had a chance to see some of the guys that I had coached before. I haven’t had a chance to be around them since they graduated, so all-in-all I think the Stars at the Sun game will be great opportunity for me, and it’s a great opportunity for them as well.”

Team USA will be in town from July 7-11, holding a training camp that includes national team members not selected for the game against the WNBA’s finest, and an exhibition against the Australian national team on the final day of its stay in eastern Connecticut. The additional team members are Seimone Augustus and Lindsey Whalen (Minnesota Lynx), Shameka Christon (Chicago Sky), Lindsey Harding (Washington Mystics), Asjha Jones and Kara Lawson (Connecticut Sun).

San Antonio’s Jayne Appel, Ebony Hoffman (Indiana Fever) and Kia Vaughn (New York Liberty) will practice with Team USA.

The team’s July 9 practice at Mohegan Sun Arena will be open to the public at 2:45 p.m.

Moore wins Broderick Cup

2010-06-21T18:36:00.000-04:00

Maya Moore wins a share of the Honda-Broderick Award, given to the top female college athlete. She shares the honor with Penn State's Megan Hodge, a volleyball player.

Below is the story from the Associated Press.

LOS ANGELES — Schmoozing with President Barack Obama has become a regular occurrence for Connecticut forward Maya Moore.

Moore and her Huskies teammates met with Obama for a second straight year in May after the team won its second consecutive NCAA championship.

"We haven't lost a game since he came into office," Moore said. "He made sure we remembered that."

Moore reached another milestone Monday when she and Penn State outside hitter Megan Hodge were named winners of the Honda-Broderick Cup.

The two were surprised to learn they both earned the award, which is given to the nation's top female college athlete, during a ceremony at UCLA. It was only the second time the award has been given to two athletes in the same year. Southern California basketball standout Cheryl Miller and Florida swimmer Tracy Caulkins were co-winners in 1984.

"I wasn't really expecting it," Moore said. "You always think there's going to be one winner , but I really think it's more special when you can share it with somebody else and the fact that we both come from team sports, it's an honor."

Moore and Hodge were chosen over a third finalist, Iowa State track and field star Lisa Koll.

Moore, a three-time AP All-American was named the Final Four's most outstanding player. As a junior, she averaged 18.9 points per game and 8.9 rebounds and finished last season with 736 points, the second most in school history for a single season.

Moore's efforts helped the Huskies to an unprecedented 78 straight victories over two seasons. Named the Big East scholar athlete of the year, Moore was a Wooden Award finalist and had a 3.85 GPA.

She is the third UConn basketball player to receive the Honda-Broderick Cup, following in the footsteps of Rebecca Lobo (1995) and Jennifer Rizzotti (1996).

In four years at Penn State, Hodge amassed a 142-5 record and finished her career with 2,142 kills to become only the second player in school history with more than 2,000.

She guided the Nittany Lions to their third straight NCAA title in 2009 and second straight undefeated season. Hodge led the Big Ten and was eighth in the nation with an average of 4.67 kills per set and was second on the team with 295 digs (2.46 per set). She was named the 2009 Big Ten and Division I national player of the year.

Hodge is the first player from Penn State to earn the award. She was awed when watching a video montage that showed each previous winner since the award was first presented in 1977.

"Just to win the award is an honor and was very unexpected," Hodge said. "It means a lot to my university and family.

"This ranks right up there. I just think it's awesome for me to be grouped in that category (with the other winners) now."

Louisiana Tech track star Antoinette Cobb received the Honda Inspiration Award. After missing her sophomore season with colon cancer, Cobb returned to win four WAC titles her junior and senior years and finished her career as the seventh-best 100-meter hurdler in the country.

Concordia University setter Maggie McNamara was named the Division II athlete of the year and Bethel University track and field standout Marie Bonner was named the Division III athlete of the year.

Hodge is representing the U.S. national team in the Pan-American Cup and will play professionally in Italy this winter.

Moore will be a senior at UConn in the fall and looks forward to mentoring the Huskies' five incoming freshman.

"I'm just trying to make sure they're ready for the first day of practice right now," Moore said with a laugh. "I'm at a point in my career where I feel ready to be a senior, ready to be challenged in new way, so I'm excited."

Despite the inexperience of the team, Moore didn't rule out the possibility of a three-peat.

"Anything is possible," Moore said. "We're trying to see President Obama every year. That's the goal."

Back at the White House

2010-05-17T18:42:00.000-04:00

The Huskies made their second visit in as many years to the White House on Monday. Once again, President Obama was given a jersey and an autographed ball. He said that UConn was "by far" the best team of the past year in any sport, which is quite the praise.

No word if there was a rematch in P.I.G between President Obama and Maya Moore.

Fernandes heading to Temple

2010-05-10T20:43:00.002-04:00

According to Rich Elliott of the Connecticut Post, Stonington High School and recent UConn grad Jacquie Fernandes will join ex Huskies assistant Tonya Cardoza's staff at Temple.

I'll hopefully have more for you later.

Early voting

2010-03-09T20:34:00.000-05:00

My all-tournament team:

Repella, West Virginia
Rushdan, Rutgers
Diggins, Notre Dame
Charles, UConn
Moore, UConn

Most outstanding player:

Greene, UConn

Noise

2010-03-09T20:20:00.002-05:00

For the first time this season, the crowd senses the Huskies need them. The response: UConn builds a five-point lead back up to 13.

Husky slumber

2010-03-09T20:12:00.002-05:00

Liz Repella knocked down a 3-pointer with 15:57 left to cut UConn's lead to six, 33-27. The Huskies have looked asleep at the wheel since late in the first half.

Halftime

2010-03-09T19:55:00.000-05:00

The game has slowed down to a pace beneficial to West Virginia. The Huskies still hold the lead, but Maya Moore and Tina Charles have been awful. Combined, they are 3-for-17 from the floor.

Fortunate

2010-03-09T19:13:00.000-05:00

UConn is lucky that its poor shooting and decision making hasn't hurt it yet. That's because West Virginia has done nothing right.

Doty

2010-03-09T19:03:00.002-05:00

Great applause for Caroline -- the bets reception for a Husky during intros.

Finals

2010-03-09T19:02:00.003-05:00

There is no suspense here, no drama and it feels like a regular season game. That's what happens when you set a record the night before.

At least there are a few more fans.

Doty cleared

2010-03-09T13:23:00.002-05:00

UConn sophomore guard Caroline Doty has been cleared to participate in tonight's Big East Tournament championship game at the XL Center.

Doty was hit in the back of the neck by an elbow during Monday's semifinal victory over Notre Dame. She left the game after laying on the court for several minutes.

Doty participated in the Huskies' morning shoot around.

Down the stretch

2010-03-08T19:43:00.002-05:00

UConn leads by 13 with 3:42 left...

Here come the Huskies

2010-03-08T19:23:00.002-05:00

UConn has built up an 11-point lead, 44-33, with 11:10 left. Nothing is working for Notre Dame.

Quick hit

2010-03-08T19:08:00.001-05:00

Very quickly, UConn has taken an eight-point lead. Maya Moore capped it with a big 3-pointer. Huskies lead, 32-24, with 17:51 to play.

Twenty minutes to go

2010-03-08T19:03:00.000-05:00

What a half it has been. Top-ranked UConn was held to its fewest points in the first half since the 2007 Fresno (Calif.) Regional against LSU, but leads Notre Dame, 25-22, in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament on Monday at the XL Center.

Tina Charles has been shutdown for the most part on the offensive end, and Notre Dame has all of the momentum. Keep in mind the two earlier meetings were blowouts.

On the charge?

2010-03-08T18:43:00.001-05:00

No coincidence that the Irish call a timeout after Tina Charles scores back-to-back baskets. It's 25020 UConn with 1:21 left in the half.

Surprise, surprise

2010-03-08T18:40:00.001-05:00

Who would have thought this would be a one-point game inside of three minutes left in the half?

Not me.

The key here has been the excellent defensive job done on Tina Charles. Unless UConn can find a way to get her the ball -- and for her to finish -- Notre Dame may snap the 70-game win streak.

First timeout

2010-03-08T18:13:00.000-05:00

Notre Dame has to be happy to still be in the game. UConn leads, 9-8, with 14:35 left in the first half.

Tina Charles is being swarmed by four defenders whenever she touches the ball. The Irish are giving up the 3-pointer, daring UConn to take the shot.

History, either way, and a cautionary tale

2010-03-08T17:17:00.000-05:00

Fifty-one minutes. That's how long we must wait for the start of the Big East Tournament semifinal between UConn and Notre Dame. It's bigger than the title game because a UConn win means this team stands alone with a new record 71-game consecutive win streak. A Notre Dame win is historic because it snaps the Huskies' record-tying streak.

Based on how the Irish played the first two times out against the Huskies I would call this game as well as the tournament's two remaining games anticlimactic.

Then again, recall in 2006-07 when UConn won at Rutgers, 70-44, to end the season but lost the tournament, 55-47.

It can happen. Just not likely. This Huskies team is better than its predecessor and Notre Dame isn't as good as Rutgers was then.

Hmm...

2010-03-07T15:42:00.002-05:00

Now that I think of it, Hillsman could probably coach UConn to at least five losses.

Boooo!

2010-03-07T15:34:00.002-05:00

Twice in a row Maya Moore had an uncontested path to the basket and could have dunked. She didn't.

WHAT?

2010-03-07T15:09:00.002-05:00

Hillsman to Troya Berry after she tackled Maya Moore: "You can't do that; They can, you can't."

Any question who is the best player in the nation?

2010-03-07T15:06:00.000-05:00

Tina Charles has 16 points with 2:44 left and just blocked a shot from behind.

Blind

2010-03-07T15:00:00.000-05:00

Referee Bonita Spence just blew an obvious call. A missed UConn shot comes down untouched on the baseline and called UConn ball. The play happened two feet from her and no one was nearby.

Good job.

This is what just happened

2010-03-07T14:55:00.000-05:00

A Syracuse player walked into a trap set by Tina Charles and Maya Moore. This is that player's inner thoughts:

"I can go into this trap. It's only the two best players in the country."

"I can come out it."

She's right. But she didn't have the ball.

Thanks for playing

2010-03-07T14:40:00.002-05:00

Syracuse is down 13, 15-2, with 14:23 left in the half. Coach Quentin Hillsman has used five reserves already and Otto the Orange is about to check in.

What?

2010-03-07T14:33:00.002-05:00

Where was the foul on Tiffany Hayes' 3-pointer?

And the loser for winning is...

2010-03-07T14:05:00.002-05:00

Notre Dame. The Irish survive the Red Storm and will play the UConn-Syracuse winner. Not a good prize. Unless you face the Orange.

Late start

2010-03-07T14:02:00.002-05:00

St. John's and Notre Dame are going a little longer than expected. This is fine, but there's a sense of "get over with it already" at the XL Center. There's only one show here today and the other three games are merely distractions.

Closing in on 70

2010-03-07T12:32:00.000-05:00

UConn and Syracuse are set to tip off in about two hours, which puts the Huskies about 40 minutes from matching its 70-game win streak that went from 2001-03.

It's beyond logic to suggest Syracuse could win this game. A lot would have to happen. But I think there are couple things to keep an eye out for.

Last year, Syracuse said they had the defense to stop Maya Moore. They stopped her at 40 points. Then Moore puts up 38 and 20 two weeks ago. Clearly, she treats orange like a bull does red. Maybe Tennessee knew something when it chose to discontinue the series with UConn. I'm just sayin'.

That first game had some drama -- very physical play that UConn took exception to and the Nicole Michael-Geno Auriemma tripgate, not to mention the Orange's contention that the Huskies ran up the score. From my perspective, they did, to make a point about the trash talking and physical play.

This season's meeting saw some more fireworks. Syracuse said it hadn't forgotten what happened the previous year, but downed down the rhetoric. But in the game, Erica Morrow of Syracuse was ejected for throwing a punch at UConn's Tiffany Hayes.

So...what should you expect? I'm looking for another very physical game -- maybe the most physical game between these teams. I can't imagine the Orange want to be No. 70, so they could be scrappier than usual. My gut tells me there's going to be a blow up of some sort.

Also, Maya Moore scores 39 points. If she doesn't it's because Auriemma takes her out of the game early to rest her for tomorrow's semifinal against Notre Dame or St. John's.

Charles in charge as Moore honors roll in for Huskies

2010-03-05T22:25:00.000-05:00

Tina Charles, having one of the most memorable seasons by a Husky, was named the Big East's Player of the Year. You'd imagine this is a precursor to Charles winning the Naismith Award for National Player of the Year, but you never know. Two years ago, it was expected that Candace Parker would win the Naismith only to have Candice Wiggins surprise just about everyone by taking home the honor.

Still it's tough to imagine Charles not winning it, especially since her main competition is teammate Maya Moore.

Just to chew on: What does it tell you about Charles' season when she beats out Moore, who is considered the best player in the draft and probably the best player in the world before too long?

Moore didn't come away empty handed Friday on the second day of conference awards. After being named an Academic All-American last month, Moore was named the Big East's Scholar-Athlete. She is the fifth Husky to be so honored, joining Leigh Curl, Rebecca Lobo (twice) and Jennifer Rizzotti.

Lastly, Geno Auriemma shared Coach of the Year honors with West Virginia's Mike Carey. I like Carey here, but I also like Georgetown's Terry Flournoy-Williams, who took a team that has been a non-factor and led it to the Top 25. Auriemma would have had my third vote.

Also, just a side note...check back here often Sunday through Tuesday as the Huskies aim for the Big East Tournament title and try to eclipse the record 70-game win streak.

Huskies honored

2010-03-04T19:59:00.000-05:00

Tina Charles, Maya Moore and Kalana Greene were named to the All-Big East First Team on Thursday. Charles and Moore were both unanimous selections.

Tiffany Hayes was a second-team pick and Kelly Faris made the all-freshmen team.

Also, the Huskies will be on the cover of Sports Illustrated next week and were interviewed by the CBS Evening News today after practice.

Broadcast date

2010-02-18T12:54:00.000-05:00

Here is the TV schedule for the ESPNU series on UConn's women's basketball team:

2/26 - 3:30pm & 11:30pm
3/5 - 3:30pm & 11:30pm
3/19 - 4:30pm & 11:30pm
4/2 - 6:00pm & 11:30pm

On the tube

2010-02-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Been watching a TON of women's college basketball the last two days:
USF-Marquette
Syracuse-Villanova
UConn-DePaul
USC-Stanford
TCU-Utah

There is some good ball being played outside of Connecticut.

But worth noting that at the end of the USC-Stanford game, the play-by-play announcer asked Lisa Leslie, the color analyst, if the Cardinal have closed the gap on the Huskies. Leslie smiled then laughed and said she doesn't see anyone beating UConn.

Recruits honored

2010-02-09T23:59:00.000-05:00

Bria Hartley and Samarie Walker, both of whom are part of UConn's recruiting class arriving in the fall, will play in the WBCA All-America game this year, it was announced Tuesday.

On a side note: How sad is it watching the struggles of Rutgers? Coach C. Vivian Stringer was suspended one game today for using the team manager as a practice player when the manager was not an eligible student-athlete.

Also...congrats to Villanova, which won its first conference game tonight beating Syracuse.

It fell

2010-02-02T20:32:00.001-05:00

the other shoe, that is. A 22-3 run by the Huskies has sealed the win. 58-32 with 11:30 to go.

Kelly the magnificent

2010-02-02T20:20:00.001-05:00

Kelly Faris stole the inbound pass, layed it in and drew the foul. The Huskies may have just gotten the spark they needed -- from a freshmen. 40-29 UConn with 5:54 to play.

Block party

2010-02-02T19:37:00.001-05:00

Tina Charles has 5 blocks with 6:41 left in the half.

Slowly slaughtering

2010-02-02T19:27:00.000-05:00

It's 15-7 with 10:56 left. You know what's going to happen -- some sort of 70-something to 40-something game. It's on the way.

Twice as nice

2010-02-02T19:10:00.001-05:00

UConn has two 3-pointers for an early 6-0 lead over West Virginia.

Figures

2010-01-26T19:32:00.002-05:00

Just as I said the style of play would be different, both teams are shooting worse than 30 percent. It isn't defense, folks, it's just bad shooting.

Not what it used to be

2010-01-26T19:07:00.000-05:00

UConn and Rutgers, Rutgers and UConn. However you want to look at this one-time rivalry, it simply isn't the same as it used to be. No longer can Rutgers' defense slow down the Huskies. No more can the Huskies get dragged down into the dredges of basketball.

And no longer does Rutgers have the star power it once did.

Folks, this is going to be ugly. I kinda miss the heated matchups, tension and all.

8:30 update

2010-01-16T08:27:00.000-05:00

An hour since fans could enter and there are over 1,000 people here.

Surprised

2010-01-16T08:03:00.000-05:00

I arrived at Gampel Pavilion by 7 a.m. and there were a few hundred people already in line to attend ESPN's College Gameday live from UConn this morning.

More as the event draws near...

WOW

2009-12-23T19:04:00.002-05:00

Maya Moore just nailed a sick bounce pass as she faded away from the basket, between two defenders, and to Kalana Greene for the layup.

This one is done...

2009-12-23T19:02:00.001-05:00

All but done...UConn outscoring Stanford 27-9 in second half, leads 65-49 with 9:19 left.

It's a sellout

2009-12-23T18:49:00.002-05:00

The game is the first sellout at the XL Center since Jan. 6, 2007 against....Tennessee.

And....we're tied

2009-12-23T18:43:00.000-05:00

It's 44 all with 15:52 to play. The half has been slow developing, but Stanford's had some trouble running it's offensive sets.

More honorees

2009-12-23T18:26:00.002-05:00

The 1999-2000 UConn national championship team was honored and inducted into the Huskies of Honor program during halftime.

Heavyweights, for sure

2009-12-23T18:10:00.002-05:00

Neither team is showing signs of giving up. These are truly championship teams. Each squad has had a decent run and they've also been able to steady play and exchange blows. It's a one-point Stanford lead, 35-34, with 3:40 left in the first half.

Big mistake

2009-12-23T17:53:00.000-05:00

Kaili McLaren committed a stupid foul on Jayne Appel under the basket on a fast break. Fortunately, Appel missed the plus-one. Still, Geno Auriemma made sure to send a message -- he removed McLaren from the game.

A 6-0 Stanford run makes it 19-16 with 11:48 to play in the half.

Taking control

2009-12-23T17:49:00.001-05:00

Thanks to a 7-0 run sparked by defense, the Huskies have a 19-10 lead. The Cardinal call a timeout.

So far, so good

2009-12-23T17:44:00.002-05:00

This game has lived up to the hype through the first four minutes, three seconds. Yes, that's a short sample of time, but both teams are still feeling out each other and are able to make plays. Maya Moore and Jayne Appel each have an early foul. UConn leads, 12-10.

One versus two

2009-12-23T17:07:00.000-05:00

Who needs Tennessee?

UConn-Stanford is the new black in women's college basketball, and that a game can sell out a decent-sized arena on Christmas Eve eve says something about the viability of the teams.

For all the complaining about attendance at UConn games lately, it may have as much to do with price as it does the competition. It's a sad day when a good team is treated with more of a yawn than anything else when it faces UConn.

The Cardinal, are better than good.

Correction

2009-11-16T01:48:00.001-05:00

Kaili McLaren is probable, says Huskies maven Randy Press, who brought my misreporting of her status to my attention via Facebook.

As always, thanks Randy.

Kaili update

2009-11-15T22:51:00.001-05:00

Huskies F/C Kaili McLaren is listed as day-to-day with a sore foot. The expectation is she will likely miss Tuesday's game against Texas at San Antonio.

Quick hits

2009-11-14T14:02:00.000-05:00

It's the season opener at home against Northeastern and here are just a few tidbits:

The tean's championship banner will be revealed shortly.

Kaili McLaren will not play. She apparently injured a leg when stepping on someone's foot. She is in a boot. That means a bigger role for Stonongton's Heather Buck.

Sporting News Top 25

2009-10-15T19:59:00.000-04:00

This is the Sporting News Top 25, as compiled by moi. Pick up the SN's College Basketball annual and check out my season preview.

1. UConn
2. Stanford
3. Ohio State
4. North Carolina
5. Duke
6. Notre Dame
7. Oklahoma
8. Virginia
9. LSU
10. Baylor
11. Michigan State
12. Tennessee
13. Xavier
14. Florida State
15. Georgia Tech
16. Arizona State
17. Texas
18. DePaul
19. Maryland
20. California
21. Mississippi State
22. San Diego State
23. Middle Tennessee
24. Marist
25. Boston College

Media Day notes

2009-10-15T19:43:00.000-04:00

Lots to discuss coming out of the team's Media Day on Wednesday.

Coach Geno Auriemma had some high praise for freshman Kelly Faris. Saying he's bever seen her play a bad game, Auriemma predicted she will not have a bad game all season. I suggested she might have a game with five turnovers and she said she will not do that. Auriemma said Faris could miss all of her shots but she would make up for it with other things she does.

Just as interesting comment came from Maya Moore. She said if she had to play a 2-on-2 game for the national title, she would pick Caroline Doty.

Doty, for her part, couldn't hold back a smile at hearing that. She said after two knee injuries, she is stronger than before and ready to go.

Auriemma said Doty's backcourt partner, Tiffany Hayes is an All-American. He added that if Hayes is an All-American, UConn wins another title.

2009-10 schedule

2009-09-09T16:26:00.002-04:00

Here it is:
NOVEMBER
Thurs. 5 SAINT ROSE (EX.) Storrs, Conn. (Gampel Pavilion) 7:30 p.m.
Mon. 9 VANGUARD (EX.) Hartford, Conn. (XL Center) 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 14 NORTHEASTERN Storrs, Conn. (Gampel Pavilion) 2:00 p.m.
Tues. 17 vs. Texas# San Antonio, Texas (AT&T Center) ESPN2 9:30 p.m.
Fri. 20 at Holy Cross Worcester, Mass. (DCU Center) TBA
Fri. 27 HOFSTRA! Storrs, Conn. (Gampel Pavilion) 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 28 RICHMOND! Storrs, Conn. (Gampel Pavilion) 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 29 CLEMSON! Storrs, Conn. (Gampel Pavilion) 4:30 p.m.
DECEMBER
Thurs. 3 VERMONT Storrs, Conn. (Gampel Pavilion) 7:30 p.m.
Thurs. 10 HARTFORD Hartford, Conn. (XL Center) 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 20 IONA Storrs, Conn. (Gampel Pavilion) 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 23 STANFORD Hartford, Conn. (XL Center) 5:30 p.m.
Mon. 28 at Florida State Tallahassee, Fla. (Tully Gym) 7:00 p.m.
JANUARY
Sat. 2 at Seton Hall* South Orange, N.J. (Walsh Gym) 2:00 p.m.
Mon. 4 USF* Hartford, Conn. (XL Center) 7:00 p.m.
Thurs. 7 CINCINNATI* Storrs, Conn. (Gampel Pavilion) 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 9 NORTH CAROLINA Storrs, Conn. (Gampel Pavilion) 4:00 p.m.
Wed. 13 at Marquette* Milwaukee, Wis. (Al McGuire Center) 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 16 NOTRE DAME*$ Storrs, Conn. (Gampel Pavilion) ESPN 9:00 p.m.
Mon. 18 at Duke Durham, N.C. (Cameron Indoor Stadium) 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 23 at Villanova* Villanova, Pa. (The Pavilion) 2:00 p.m.
Tues. 26 RUTGERS* Hartford, Conn. (XL Center) TBA
Sat. 30 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pa. (Petersen Events Center) 2:00 p.m.
FEBRUARY
Tues. 2 WEST VIRGINIA* Hartford, Conn. (XL Center) 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 7 at Louisville* Louisville, Ky. (Freedom Hall) TBA
Wed. 10 at DePaul* Chicago, Ill. (McGrath Arena) TBA
Sat. 13 ST. JOHN’S* Storrs, Conn. (Gampel Pavilion) 5:00 p.m.
Mon. 15 at Oklahoma Norman, Okla. (Lloyd Noble Center) 9:00 p.m.
Sat. 20 PROVIDENCE* Hartford, Conn. (XL Center) 1:00 p.m.
Wed. 24 at Syracuse* Syracuse, N.Y. (Carrier Dome) 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 27 GEORGETOWN* Hartford, Conn. (XL Center) 1:00 p.m.
MARCH
Mon. 1 at Notre Dame* South Bend, Ind. (Joyce Center) 7:00 p.m.
Fri.-Tues. 5-9 BIG EAST Tournament Hartford, Conn. (XL Center)
ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN HOME GAMES IN BOLD CAPS

Newest recruit

2009-03-25T19:40:00.001-04:00

Auriemma already has his eyes on what he hopes are future legends.

Adding to a 2010 recruiting class that includes Samarie Walker and Stefanie Dolson, two of the best in their class, the Huskies added 6-foot-3 forward Michala Johnson. Johnson, out of Montini High School in Chicago, gave Auriemma her verbal commitment Wednesday.

She sat out all but one game last season following ACL surgery to fix an injury sustained over the summer. Johnson said she is scheduled to begin running by May, but won’t play until the season begins in November.

A Chicago Sun-Times All--Area selection as a sophomore, Johnson visited Storrs on Selection Monday and had a chance to meet the team. It was the comfort level around the players and coaching staff that sold her on the Huskies.

With UConn in the midst of another successful season, Johnson is excited about the chance to team up with Walker, Dolson, Caroline Doty, Tiffany Hayes and Moore, who will be a senior when Johnson arrives.

“I’m very proud of them and glad that I can be a part of that and one day play in a tournament like they are,” she said.

Johnson was also considering Duke, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Maryland and Penn State.

And now some video

2009-03-25T10:40:00.003-04:00

First the pictures

2009-03-25T10:34:00.002-04:00

Perfect ending

2009-03-24T22:11:00.003-04:00

Could Renee Montgomery have asked for a better ending to her home-game career? Probably not.

She wasn't the leader in assists or points, but she was most certainly the leader. When she scored nine straight points to jump start a 13-0 run that led to a bigger 21-3 run, it was exactly what the team needed.

It was vintage Montgomery. She's become the kind of player that can do whatever is needed to bring home the win. That's the kind of player who wins national championships.

Geno entered the post game press conference with tears in his eyes and a bit of a red nose. It looked like he had been crying. He hadn't. He bit his lip and was bleeding. I think he wanted to look like Renee when she had the busted lip.

One last time, with feeling

2009-03-24T16:18:00.002-04:00

This is it for me, unless management decides that New Jersey isn't the same as overseas travel. Not a whole lot of thought went into today being my last game of the season until Rich Elliott of the Connecticut Post reminded me yesterday.

Allow me to be sentimental for a moment or two. Its been a honor to cover this team and this sport. Getting to bring you, the readers and the fans, coverage has been fun.

Getting to know these young ladies and bring their lives, hoops exploits and personalities has been great. What they do on the court is nothing compared to who they are, which are remarkable people that are what I hope my daughter would grow up to be.

There is also a great bond between the writers who cover this team and the our pleasure in presenting the journey.

Thanks for reading all year. And if you want more from the Bulletin, e-mail them at sports@norwichbulletin.com and tell them to keep covering the Huskies.

Wade trophy finalists

2009-03-24T10:34:00.003-04:00

The WBCA announced its finalists for the Wade Trophy this morning and three Huskies are on the short list. This is also the likely All-America team, minus two players (probably Lavender and Wright, who would be honorable mention selections).

Jayne Appel	Stanford Univ.
DeWanna Bonner	Auburn Univ.
Tina Charles	Univ. of Connecticut
Marissa Coleman	Univ. of Maryland
Jantel Lavender	Ohio State Univ.
Angel McCoughtry	Univ. of Louisville
Renee Montgomery	Univ. of Connecticut
Maya Moore	Univ. of Connecticu	.
Courtney Paris	Univ. of Oklahoma
Kristi Toliver	Univ. of Maryland
Ashley Walker	Univ. of California, Berkeley
Monica Wright	Univ. of Virginia

Geno wins

2009-03-23T13:19:00.001-04:00

ATLANTA – The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has selected Connecticut’s Geno Auriemma as the 2009 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Coach of the Year. This year marks the 27th year that this accolade has been presented, which has been selected by the WBCA since 1983.
This is Auriemma’s third RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coach of the Year honor as he received the award in 2002 and again last season. He is the only Division I head coach that has collected the award back-to-back years.
“On behalf of the WBCA, I would like to congratulate Geno Auriemma for an outstanding job this season, and we would like to honor your efforts with this award,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “He is among the elite in the coaching profession and very deserving of this award.”
Auriemma, current WBCA Vice President, recently received his eighth BIG EAST Coach of the Year honor after leading his top-ranked Huskies to a 33-0 ledger; the only undefeated team in NCAA Division I. It marked the fifth time Auriemma coached his team to an undefeated record regular season play. This season UConn captured its 17th overall regular season title and 15th overall BIG EAST Tournament crown, marking the 13th time Auriemma has led his squad to both titles in the same season.
In 24 years in Storrs, Auriemma boasts an 85 percent winning percentage, the nation’s best, with a career ledger of 690-122. The Huskies, who have claimed three of the last seven NCAA titles (a total of five in the program’s history), their last coming in 2004, are making their 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and boast a 65-15 (.813) mark all-time in NCAA play. The Huskies, who have been ranked No. 1 in both national polls the entire season, received an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, marking the second consecutive and the 15th in the program’s history. Connecticut has advanced to the Final Four nine times in the program’s history, including six of the last nine seasons overall. The Huskies have advanced to the regional round of the NCAA Tournament in each of the past 15 seasons (1994-present). During nine of the last 15 NCAA Tournaments (since 1994), the Huskies have either won the national championship or have lost to the eventual national champion. “Russell Athletic is proud to honor Geno Auriemma as the winner of the WBCA’s Division I Coach of the Year Award. Geno embodies the true values of a dedicated and successful coach,” said Catherine Gammon, Sr. Director of Sponsorships, Russell Athletic.
Auriemma is one of six RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA National Coaches of the Year selected, which also names winners for each of the other four WBCA collegiate divisions (NCAA Divisions II and III, NAIA and JC/CC) as well as High School. The winner is selected through a two-level process. The first level is by region, in which coaches from each WBCA geographical region vote for their respective top coach. Auriemma, having received the most votes in WBCA Region 1, advanced as a finalist to the national level of the selection process along with the other seven Regional Coaches of the Year in NCAA Division I.

Tina the Terrible

2009-03-22T20:22:00.002-04:00

And not in a bad way, either.

If you are a fan of UConn and/or Tina Charles, you have to like what you are seeing. Here's a young lady who had looked bad in two postseasons.

How can forget the n-show against Sylvia Fowles two years ago in Fresno? Or the vanishing routine all last tournament?

Already, she's showing this is a new Charles. She's UConn's leading scorer and rebounder since the start of the Big East Tournament, against Vermont today, played like the best center in the nation -- without there being need for discussion.

No one worries about Maya Moore or Renee Montgomery. After the win today, coach Geno Auriemma said he has to remind everyone on the team what they have to do and what they are capable of doing. Except for Moore and Montgomery.

If Charles can be that player -- not the one who expected big games would come to her in time -- but the one who brings the big games, no one will come within sniffing distance of the Huskies.

Florida, which has faced UConn once ever, is very athletic. Charles needs to be aggressive and active, yet play very smart or she'll land in foul trouble.

The Gators shouldn't beat the Huskies, but if Charles is not a positive for UConn and eithert Moore or Montgomery are off, anything can happen. Florida has been tested: Tennessee, Vanderbilt, LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn are all tournament teams that as of right now, are still alive.

But until someone proves otherwise, I like the Huskies by 30.

Getting out of hand

2009-03-22T19:43:00.002-04:00

If you've been reading this blog or some others, you may have read about the ever-growing list of mishaps involving the security staff at Gampel Pavilion.

Some of the folks are regulars at UConn games. Some are not. Either way, they have put too much weight into their job titles.

The worst, as I reported here, was kicking Renee Montgomery out of Temple's open practice on Saturday. In case you aren't familiar with open practices at the tournament, they are meant as entertainment. No team runs plays or works on its strategy; it is all drills for 60 minutes.

Toward the end, Montgomery made her way down the stairs and was greeted by a security guard who left her post to inform Montgomery she had to leave. So fans, media, staff and whoever else can watch a free throw line drill, but not players of the other teams? Apparently.

Today, Maya Moore was escorting her mother into the player's lounge and a security guard attempted to stop them.

The media are not exempt of the stupidity.

The dining area (a shock this includes food) is in the hallway of the athletic department offices. We are told to walk into the gym and up through the stands to reach that spot. Today, however, we were told we had to go around to an elevator, take that to the second floor and walk around the concourse. OK, no problem. But once any of us reached the second floor, we were escorted out of the arena and told to walk around the building to enter at another point.

After I did this, I tried bringing a bottle of "Smart Water" with me to the work area. I was told no items with logos are allowed. Even if the item has the logo on the cups and coolers used by the teams and is the logo of an official sponsor of the tournament.

I was told the main issue is that the necessary spots for running the tournament at Gampel are not together. OK, that explains some things, but not tossing Renee out of an "open" practice or hunting down Maya and mom.

After experiencing the tournament in Hartford (A+) and Bridgeport (B), Storrs is getting a D to date.

50/50 chance

2009-03-21T17:40:00.002-04:00

Two Huskies were named among the four finalist today for the Naismith Player of the Year award. It's Maya Moore, Renee Montgomery, Louisville's Angel McCoughtry and Oklahoma's Courtney Paris who are in the running.

If you believe the Big East Player of the Year ward that Moore won earlier this month knocks out Montgomery or McCoughtry, then it's between Moore and Paris. Don't discount Paris only because she's a senior and may get the sentimental vote.

Renee given the boot

2009-03-21T16:16:00.003-04:00

With about 10 minutes left in Temple's practice, Renee Montgomery made her way down to say hi to Tonya Cardoza. But before she could get courtside, Montgomery was told to leave. Apparently, open practices are open to media and fans, but not other teams.

More on Mel

2009-03-21T10:40:00.003-04:00

If you haven't read my article in today's Bulletin on Mel Thomas signing with the Seattle Storm, here it is: http://www.norwichbulletin.com/sports/x2087806865/WNBA-Ex-Husky-Thomas-inks-deal-with-Storm

There was more with Mel that couldn't get into the paper, so here's some more of our conversation.

On being around Sue Bird and Swin Cash in Seattle:
"It's familiar faces and people that you see all the time to help you fit in. It'll be very helpful."

On her adjustment to playing in Ireland:
"It's quite a transition from being at UConn to here. It's a lot different. The thing about coming here, we don;t practice every day. We practice two or three times a week. It was nice especially coming off my injuryto come here and get back into playing and being healthy, which was the most important thing for me. And we have individual work going on the days we don't have practice."

On playing overseas next season:
"I probably won't come back here. I'd go somewhere else in Europe. I don;t really know where I'll end up, but I'd like to in Italy or Greece. I don't know, somewhere that's a good situation."

Mel Thomas

2009-03-20T13:20:00.001-04:00

Mel just e-mailed me and confirmed she signed with the Seattle Storm. It had been rumored before, but she's signed on the dotted line.

More on this later!

Award video

2009-03-11T03:09:00.002-04:00

Game time!

2009-03-10T18:56:00.002-04:00

Far from a full house at the XL Center, but the crowd as a little more life to it than in the previous warm ups.

No one is expectinga Louisville win, but what I do expect is vintage Maya Moore and vintage Angel McCoughtry in what should be the last meeting of these two until they meet in the WNBA two years from now.

Folks, enjoy it.

Quick thoughts

2009-03-08T15:14:00.003-04:00

The officiating has been bad. On the play where Tiffany Hayes went down, the refs missed a carry and a charge and instead called a blocking foul. Why? Mercy. It's not the officials job to have mercy on one team over another. Call the game fairly and correctly.

Award speculation

2009-03-06T16:43:00.003-05:00

There's no one at the XL Center from Louisville and video staff from UConn are present, so expect the Player of the Year Award to go to Maya Moore or Renee Montgomery. I have a birdie saying Maya.

Also on hand id Villanova's Harry Perretta. He appears to be the winner of Coach of the Year.

St. John's staffers are still here, so expect Da'Shena Stevens as the top freshman.

Awards time!

2009-03-05T00:22:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is when most of the Big East's hardware is announced and I'm going to chime in with my takes on all of the awards. I encourage you to share your thoughts with me.

All-Big East
Renee Montgomery, UConn
Maya Moore, UConn
Tina Charles, UConn
Angel McCoughtry, Louisville
Shavonte Zellous, Pitt
Epiphanny Prince, Rutgers
Laura Kurz, Villanova
Diedre Nauughton, DePaul
Chandrea Jones, Syracuse
Monique McLean, St. John's

Student-Athlete award
Maya Moore, UConn

Defensive Player of the Year
Angel McCoughtry, Louisville

Sixth Man Award
Siobahn O'Connor, Villanova

Most Improved Player
Liz Repella, West Virginia

Freshman of the Year
Da'Shena Stevens, St. John's

Sportsman Award
Nicole Michael, Syracuse. I'm kidding. Diedre Naughton, DePaul

Coach of the Year
Geno Auriemma, UConn

Player of the Year
Renee Montgomery, UConn

Champs and schedule

2009-03-03T00:38:00.002-05:00

with its win over Rutgers tonight, UConn locked up a perfect regular season AND became the first team in history to go undefeated in the regular season and win every game by at least 10 points. Congrats, Huskies and Huskies fans.

Here is a schedule for this weekend's Big East Tournament at the XL Center in Hartford. Tickets are still available.

Friday, March 6 - First Round (www.BIGEAST.tv)

Game 1 Noon.... #12 Syracuse vs. #13 St. John’s

Game 2 2 p.m... #9 Marquette vs. #16 Cincinnati

Game 3 6 p.m... #10 Georgetown vs. #15 Seton Hall

Game 4 8 p.m... #11 West Virginia vs. #14 Providence

Saturday, March 7 - Second Round (BETV and www.BIGEAST.tv)

Game 5 Noon.... #5 Notre Dame vs. Game 1 winner

Game 6 2 p.m... #8 USF vs. Game 2 winner

Game 7 6 p.m... #7 Rutgers vs. Game 3 winner

Game 8 8 p.m... #6 DePaul vs. Game 4 winner

Sunday, March 8 - Quarterfinals (ESPNU)

Game 9 Noon.... #4 Villanova vs. Game 5 winner

Game 10 2 p.m... #1 Connecticut vs. Game 6 winner

Game 11 6 p.m... #2 Louisville vs. Game 7 winner

Game 12 8 p.m... #3 Pittsburgh vs. Game 8 winner

Monday, March 9 - Semifinals (ESPNU)

Game 13 6 p.m... Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner

Game 14 8 p.m... Game 10 winner vs. Game 11 winner

Tuesday, March 10 - Championship (ESPN)

Game 15 7 p.m... Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner

Senior Night videos

2009-03-01T02:11:00.007-05:00

These are the videos of, in no particular order, the senior night presentations, the national anthem and the acceptance of the Big East championship trophy.

Another McDonald's All-American

2009-02-19T01:42:00.002-05:00

The new addition to the Huskies, at least next season, will be guard Kelly Faris out of Heritage Christian in Indiana. You can also add Faris to the long list of UConn players to play in the McDonald's All-America game.

It was a bit of a shock, at least to me, because Faris has been widely unheralded. This is a very nice feather in her cap. She deserves plenty of congratulations.

Future teammate Maya Moore had some advice for Faris regarding the April 1 game in Miami.

"Just soak in everything for every event they have planned for you," Moore said. "Don’t be shy, don’t be nervous, don’t hold back. Make sure you enjoy everything. It’s something you can always look back on. You’ll play against some other players, watch others on TV and it’s a great connection with your class."

And this from coach Geno Auriemma:
"The McDonald’s people have picked a really good player. Nobody thought Kelly Faris was the kind of player that would be on the Under-18 national team but she went out to trials and played herself onto that team. When people give her a chance to play and put her in those scenarios I think she proves to everyone that she belongs."

"Being an All-American is a lot more than being the player that scores the most points. She does all the little things that good teams like. The coaches like the kind of things that she does. We didn’t recruit her because she’s averaging 30 points per game. We recruited her because she’s a real good basketball player who is going to add a lot to what we’re doing. It’s a great honor for her and the humble kid that she is I’m sure she’ll appreciate it."

Early videos from Providence

2009-02-18T19:12:00.003-05:00

Renee's Day - pics and video

2009-02-15T16:38:00.006-05:00

Pittsburgh pre-game

2009-02-15T13:15:00.002-05:00

Not to take anything away from the Panthers, who are 19th in the country, but the talk around Gampel is who or what is the latest Husky of Honor addition.

Let's open the think tank and go tnrough options:

Associate head coach Cris Dailey. If it were her, wouldn't it have happened already? Wouldn't UConn have scheduled this to happen against Rutgers, her alma mater? She's the dark horse.
Any past team: The school would have issued a press release and the players, some of whom are overseas, would have to made plans to come back.
Kay Yow. Seeing as it's "Think Pink" day, sure. But she was never a Husky.
The fans. Interesting. Hmmm...
Renee Montgomery. This is where my money is. You don't wait until Senior Night and give one senior more attention than the others. You do this before a national TV audience, further making the case for Montgomery as the National Player of the Year. And, it's been kept so secretive that it makes perfect sense that someone close to the team is being honored.
The No. 1 for the most weeks at No. 1 in the polls of any team. But that could change down the road, making the plaque look silly.

Check back here for video and pictures shortly after the announcement.

UConn notes

2009-02-14T19:13:00.001-05:00

Laguna Hills, Calif., sophomore Lauren Engeln made an unofficial visit to UConn Saturday. The 5-foot-11 guard may be in attendance with her father at today’s game. ... UConn will unveil its latest addition to the Huskies of Honor before the game. The newest addition is being kept under lock and key so to be a surprise. ... UConn will don pink sneakers and pink trimmed jerseys as part of the team’s “Think Pink” game, promoting cancer awareness.

Jess done until December

2009-02-09T20:43:00.001-05:00

UConn sophomore center Jessica McCormack has returned to her native New Zealand to receive treatment for a nagging Achilles tendon. Pain has followed McCormack since January of last year and has kept her from practicing with the Huskies.

"She has had numerous non-operative treatments that are usually successful but continues to experience discomfort, which led to this decision," said Dr. Tom Trojian, UConn's team physician, in a statement.

A member of the New Zealand National Team, McCormack participated in the Summer Olympics, but her Achilles continued to present a problem for her. She rarely practiced with the Huskies and spent the time between semesters at home resting rather than with her teammates. It was decided that when she returned there hadn't been significant progress made, surgery would be the last option.

McCormack was sitting out this season after transferring from the University of Washington. With her not expected to return to the States until the summer, McCormack will have to sit out first semester of next season in order to satisfy NCAA regulations for transfer student-athletes.

According to UConn coach Geno Auriemma, there is no damage to the 6-foot-5 center's Achilles, but that there's some "stuff" around it that needs cleaning up. He expects a full recovery in time for training camp.

"That's what you always think," he said. "It's just like any other surgery. You go in and say, 'This is going to be good.' Her doctor believes it and she believes it and there's no reason not to believe it. Everything else she's tried hasn't worked, so hopefully this will be the final thing to get her over the hump."

Mel Thomas

2009-02-06T02:12:00.003-05:00

There was a report last week saying that according to Mel Thomas' grandmother the former UConn star would be invited to training camp with the Seattle Storm. This is something the Storm have since denied.

When I read this -- and I have no reason to doubt the validity -- I e-mailed Mel. She got back to me Thursday night as said that she doesn't know much of what's going on (I assume because an agent is handling such matters) and that she'd get back to me when there's something solid.

When I know, you'll know.

Post-Rutgers

2009-02-05T02:17:00.006-05:00

Some pictures from Tuesday's game, including one of the hero Meghan Gardler. She doesn't get a whole lot of time and isn't always dependable, but she came through big time against Rutgers. Kia Vaughn, Rutgers' one-time center, didn't know who Gardler was (does now) and threw her own teammates under the bus.

“She played well,” Vaughn said. “It had nothing to do with her height. She’s just strong and moving me around. It was just my teammates who had to actually come down and find me, so they didn’t find me and she had help from her other teammates.”

Vaughn was also asked about the WNBA and said she's still trying to figure out how the scoring is supposed to work on her team.

New starter

2009-02-03T18:10:00.002-05:00

Tiffany Hayes will be starting in place of Lorin Dixon tonight. SHe was running the point in shoot around, so unless something changes between now and 8 p.m., Hayes is the starting point guard.

Renee in the WNBA

2009-02-03T01:09:00.003-05:00

John Altavilla of the Hartford Courant and I were asked by the Minnesota Lynx to provide analysis of Renee Montgomery as we look ahead to April's WNBA draft.

The Lynx put together a really neat Draft Central Web page that is worth noting. Here's the link:
Minnesota Lynx Draft Central

While there, check out all of the other WNBA prospects featured as well.

Just to follow up

2009-01-27T12:03:00.003-05:00

The point HondoHurricane made in the last entry is worth noting. She doesn't play for UConn, but I don't think there's an opposing player at least as long as I've covered the team that UConn fans have grown to respect more than Angel McCoughtry.

I always mention this, but it's worth noting because of who and what she was and now is. Three years ago, McCoughtry threw a tantrum on the court during the Big East Tournament. That was her sophomore year. The fans at the Civic Center were on her like I had not seen again. But Angel has grown up immeasurably. Her maturation has caught up with her talents and when they hooked up, she's blossomed even more.

So, yes, it was very classy by the UConn fans to give her a standing ovation. It also shows how much everyone else -- outside of Louisville -- recognizes her growth.