Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

With the Super Bowl quickly approaching, there’s lots of little nuggets and tidbits of information you may have missed. So this is our attempt at trying to keep you informed of the minutia.

Let me know what you think about the rematch, I’m interested in your thoughts I’d love to use some in another post.  You can leave them in the comments of this post, email them to me or tweet them to me.  I look forward to your opinions regardless of what team you root for.

When the Patriots and Giants meet on February 5th it will be 3 months since the Patriots last lost a football game.  That was Week 9 in Foxboro to the Giants.

According to Bill Belichick’s girlfriend Linda Holliday’s twitter account, there will be no red hoodie in Indy.

The Patriots under Belichick are 7-2 in the playoffs when having a bye week.  Their only losses are in Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants and in the 2010 playoffs to the New York Jets.

The Patriots also average nearly a full touchdown more in margin of victory when coming off a playoff bye.

How last years debacles in Dallas lead to this years Social Media monitoring hub at the Super Bowl via Fang’s Bites.

Fang’s Bites gives us this as well, NBC Sports Group coverage plans for Super Bowl XLVI.

Massachusetts Senator John Kerry has bet New England clam chowder against a New York cheesecake from New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Senator Kerry urges Sunbeam Television and DirecTV to come to a settlement before the Super Bowl or some Boston area fans will be blacked out from the game.

The NFL will be tracking tweets about the Super Bowl under the primary hashtag of #SB46.

The NFL owners have extended Commissioner Roger Goodell’s contract through 2018.

Will Chad Ochocinco dress for the Super Bowl after being inactive for the AFC Championship Game?

Tom Brady graces the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated.

This is just the third rematch in Super Bowl history among starting QB’s.  The others were Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach (Pittsburgh-Dallas) and Troy Aikman and Jim Kelly (Dallas-Buffalo).  The two previous rematches were won by the same QB both times.

WR Wes Welker got engaged to the former Miss Hooters, Anna Burns.

The Patriots placed practice squad WR Dorin Dickerson on the IR and signed TE Carson Butler to the practice squad.

On Thursday the only players missing from practice were TE Rob Gronkowski and practice squad TE Carson Butler.

Do you want to hear Rex Ryan’s Super Bowl prediction?  Well as of right now you’re going to have to wait.

Baltimore’s Bernard Pollard hopes the Giants “put a thrashing” on the Patriots.

The seating capacity has been set at Lucas Oil Field at 67,000, that’s 35,000 seats less than Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

Ann Mara breaks shoulder and is ‘probable’ for the Super Bowl.

Giants Justin Tuck is preparing for an epic Super Bowl.

Looking for Super Bowl tickets?  The Boston Globe has some information on what is available through Ace Ticket.

Which Patriots team is your all-time favorite?  Personally I like the 1-15 Rod Rust squad…hey I’m hopped up on antihistamine.

A list of Super Bowl XLVI hotel deals and Indianapolis visitor information.

Why the Patriots and Giants are the perfect match up.

A portrait of faith for the Patriots.

The Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian has a look back at Super Bowl XLII and it’s affect on the Patriots.

Why everyone else hates the Patriots.

ESPN’s Sports Science took a look at Sterling Moore’s game saving play from the AFC Championship Game.

The Patriots will face the New York Giants on February 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium in Super Bowl XLVI.  Look for the Sox & Dawgs “In The Red Zone Game Preview” available on the Friday before the game.

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Here are the 2012 NHL All-Star rosters for the game that will be played on Sunday, January 29th at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada at 4 p.m. The 2012 NHL All-Star Game presented by Tim Hortons will be televised by CBC and RDS in Canada and NBC Sports Network in the U.S.

Also selected to participate in the game but aren't playing:

• Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild
• Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
• Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
• Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets

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The Boston Red Sox made the Cody Ross signing official today. In order to make room for him on the 40-man roster, they designated reliever Scott Atchison for assignment.

Here's the release from the Red Sox:

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today signed outfielder Cody Ross to a one-year contract for the 2012 season.  No further terms were disclosed.  To make room for Ross on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated right-handed pitcher Scott Atchison for assignment.

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington.

Ross played in 121 games for the Giants in 2011, including 107 starts, and appeared at all three outfield positions.  The 31-year-old knocked 14 home runs, his sixth straight season with double-digit homers, and hit .240 (97-for-405) last year with 25 doubles, 52 RBI and 54 runs, and led the Giants with a career-high 49 walks.  He made just one error in 192 total chances in the field and tallied eight assists.  A right-handed batter, he hit at a .309 clip (17-for-55) with four home runs and 10 RBI in 13 games in September.

Selected by Detroit in the fourth round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Ross has played in 757 Major League games over eight seasons with the Tigers (2003), Dodgers (2005-06), Reds (2006), Marlins (2006-10) and Giants (2010-11).  He has a .261 career average (636-for-2,436) with 152 doubles, 11 triples, 100 home runs, 371 RBI, 328 runs, 197 walks and 28 stolen bases.  Ross has hit at a .282 clip (193-for-684) off left-handed pitching and is posting a .563 slugging percentage against southpaws in his career, the seventh-best mark in the Majors since 2003.  He earned MVP honors for the National League Championship Series in 2010 after batting .350 (7-for-20) with three home runs and five RBI, and hit .294 (15-for-51) with five home runs and 10 RBI in 15 games overall that postseason to help the Giants to a World Series title.

The 35-year-old Atchison made 17 appearances over six stints with the Red Sox in 2011, posting a 1-0 record with a 3.26 ERA (11 ER/30.1 IP) and his first Major League save.  He also pitched in 36 games with Triple-A Pawtucket, including one start, going 6-2 with five saves, a 2.64 ERA (18 ER/61.1 IP), 72 strikeouts and nine walks.  Signed by the Red Sox as a free agent on December 2, 2009, the right-hander has appeared in 113 career Major League games (one start) over parts of five seasons with the Mariners (2004-05), Giants (2007) and Red Sox (2010-11), tallying a 4.09 ERA (72 ER/158.1 IP) and 128 strikeouts while going 5-6 with one save

Here's the release from the Boston Red Sox announcing that they have extended their PDC with the Lowell Spinners.

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox and Lowell (MA) Spinners today announced the extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) for an additional two years. The extension keeps the Red Sox New York-Penn League Short-Season Single-A affiliate in Lowell through the 2014 season.

Red Sox Director of Player Development Ben Crockett and Spinners Owner Drew Weber and President/General Manager Tim Bawmann made the announcement.

“We are very happy to extend our productive relationship with the Spinners through 2014,” said Crockett.  “The Spinners organization and the community of Lowell really embrace our young players and provide them an exciting introduction to Red Sox Nation.  Drew Weber, Tim Bawmann and the entire Spinners staff foster an excellent atmosphere for development and we look forward to our continued partnership.”

The Red Sox originally entered into an agreement with the Spinners when the franchise moved from Elmira, New York to Lowell prior to the 1996 season. The PDC was last extended for two years through the 2012 season in December 2009.

“There couldn’t be a better organization to work with than the Boston Red Sox,” said Bawmann.  “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Red Sox organization in developing the future stars of Fenway Park here in Lowell.  From the ownership group to the talented baseball operations staff, the Red Sox are a top-notch organization to work with.”

In 1998, the team moved to the new Edward A. LeLacheur Park, where the Spinners had a decade-long, 413-game sellout streak from August 2, 1999-August 31, 2010.  Former Spinners currently with the Red Sox include Clay Buchholz, Felix Doubront, Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis.

Lowell is one of Boston’s six minor league affiliates, joining Triple-A Pawtucket (International League), Double-A Portland (Eastern League), High-A Salem (Carolina League), Single-A Greenville (South Atlantic League) and Rookie Gulf Coast Red Sox (Gulf Coast League).

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Here are the highlights from the UConn Huskies women's basketball team's 95-54 win over the Syracuse Orange on Wednesday night at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY.

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Here's the release from UConn announcing the that two former UConn Huskies men's basketball players, Worthington Patterson and Bill Corley will be inducted into the "Huskies of Honor" next month.

STORRS, Conn. - Former University of Connecticut men's basketball stars Worthington "Worthy" Patterson and Bill Corley will be inducted into the school's "Huskies of Honor" at the men's basketball game vs. DePaul on Wednesday, February 15 in the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.

The "Huskies of Honor" program began during the 2006-07 season and pays visible tribute in Gampel Pavilion to the top players, coaches and contributors in UConn men's and women's basketball history.

Patterson (Class of 1954) was a 6-3 forward who enjoyed an outstanding collegiate career that was highlighted in February of 1954 when he hit a game-winning basket with one second left to play to help UConn upset powerful Holy Cross 78-77 before a sellout crowd at the Worcester Auditorium. Holy Cross was ranked No. 7 in the nation at the time and had not lost a home game in more than five years. That game-winning basket, called "The Shot" at the time, propelled UConn into the 1954 NCAA Tournament.

Patterson was a key member on three consecutive Yankee Conference championships teams at Connecticut (1952-54) and the Huskies compiled an overall three-year record of 60-14. He was a two-time First Team All-Yankee Conference and NABC All-District selection (1953 and 1954). He was also an All-New England pick in 1953.

Worthy Patterson also became the first UConn basketball standout to play professionally in the NBA (1957-58) with the St. Louis Hawks.

Corley (Class of 1968), who died in 1999, was a 6-7 center/forward who holds the UConn basketball single-game scoring record of 51 points, set against New Hampshire in January of 1968. A member of the UConn Basketball 25-member All-Century Team, Corley averaged a rare "double-double" in his three-year varsity career at Connecticut (16.9 ppg and 13.7 rpg).

Corley still ranks third all-time at UConn in career rebound average (13.7/game). He was a three-time All-Yankee Conference and All-New England selection (1966-68) and a two-time NABC All-District First Team honoree (1967 & 1968). Corley completed his UConn career with 1,219 points and 986 rebounds.

Each member of the "Huskies of Honor" is recognized with a four foot-by-five foot panel in the upper end zones of Gampel Pavilion.

In addition to the large individual panels, each honoree also has a plaque that will be on display on the lobby level of Gampel Pavilion. The plaques include a photo of each honoree and summarize their top career achievements.

The additions of Patterson and Corley to the "Huskies of Honor" induction list increases the total number of UConn men's basketball honorees to 20.

Players (16): Walt Dropo, Vin Yokabaskas, Art Quimby, Toby Kimball, Wes Bialosuknia, Tony Hanson, Corny Thompson, Clifford Robinson, Chris Smith, Donyell Marshall, Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Emeka Okafor, Kemba Walker, Worthy Patterson, Bill Corley.

Coaches (3): Hugh Greer, Dee Rowe, Jim Calhoun.

Contributors (1): John Toner-Director of Athletics.

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By Bruce Berlet

After a 5-3 victory over the Springfield Falcons on Dec. 31, the Connecticut Whale (19-15-3-5) had a six-point lead over the Adirondack Phantoms in the AHL’s Northeast Division and were within two points of the Eastern Conference’s top spot. But entering a game at the XL Center on Friday night against the surging Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the Whale is on a nine-game winless streak (0-5-1-3).

Despite the slump, the Whale still has a nine-game points streak (5-0-1-3) at home since a 5-3 loss to the Hershey Bears on Dec. 9 and a one-point lead over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who had an eight-game winning streak ended in a 4-3 shootout loss to the visiting Atlantic Division-leading St. John’s IceCaps on Wednesday night. The Whale is two points ahead of Adirondack, which hosts Bridgeport on Friday night, and Albany, which is at Binghamton.

No one has been more frustrated during the recent tough times than wing Mats Zuccarello, who has missed the last four games and 17 of 18 with an injury.

Zuccarello resumed workouts with the Whale on Monday and showed how much he enjoys being on the verge of returning to the lineup Thursday as he playfully feigned fighting with fellow All-Star forward Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, another 5-foot-7 dynamo, and tapped out a few bars of “Brass Bonanza” with his stick on the sideboards while catching his breath on the bench.

“It’s been a long time since I had fun with hockey, so it’s nice to be back,” said Zuccarello, who will make his career All-Star debut Sunday and Monday in Atlantic City, N.J. “It’s frustrating because you want to try and help, but at the same time, it’s like I don’t know if I could have made anything different.

“I know the team goes in stretches up and down, so I don’t think we have any worries. I think we’re going to get back on track. Everybody goes through (bad) stretches, so I don’t think it’s a huge deal.”

Zuccarello had to be the most surprised of the 48 players named to participate in the AHL All-Star Classic. The skilled Norwegian playing his second season in North America had missed 10 games when he and rookie Audy-Marchessault were among the selections for the Eastern Conference team that will be compete in the skills competition Sunday at 3 p.m. and the All-Star Game on Monday at 7 p.m.

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HARTFORD, Conn. (January 26, 2012) – University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball Head Coach Geno Auriemma is a man known for many things: seven national championships, induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame and Head Coach of the U.S. National Team at the upcoming 2012 Olympics, to name a few. But he’s also known for his candid observations, insights on the game and unfailing humor.

Tune in to The Geno Auriemma Show: Special Edition – a rare on-location interview program taped in front of a packed audience of Husky fans where Auriemma will have a chance to show off his wit, candor and wisdom. Viewers get an inside look at this year’s team as Auriemma discuss the contribution of the team’s freshmen class, how they feel the season has gone so far, their upcoming games in the regular season as well as how the team plans to prepare for Big East and NCAA Tournament play in the coming weeks. Hosted by Meghan Culmo, CPTV’s UConn Women’s Basketball sports analyst and former UConn basketball player, the special premieres on Saturday, February 11 at 3 p.m. on Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), with an encore broadcast on Saturday, February 18 at 3 p.m.

Taped at the Rocky Hill Marriott in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, Auriemma is joined on stage by a collection of surprise guests. (In past years, these guests have included Associate Coach Chris Daily, Assistant Coaches Shea Ralph and Marisa Moseley, as well as UConn players Maya Moore and Tiffany Hayes.)

The Geno Auriemma Show: Special Edition event and broadcast are sponsored by J.H. Cohn LLP, Accountants and Consultants.­

“We are pleased to continue in this our third year as presenting sponsor of The Geno Auriemma Show: Special Edition,” stated Frank Longobardi, J.H. Cohn New England Region Managing Partner. “UConn Women’s Basketball, Geno Auriemma and Connecticut Public Broadcasting are a winning team, and we are very proud to continue our association with all three,” further commented Longobardi.

CPTV is the TV broadcast home of UConn Women’s Basketball and has been broadcasting the team’s games since 1994. With some of the consistently highest ratings and strongest membership levels of any program on public television over the past 18 years, UConn Women’s Basketball on CPTV is considered to be one of the most successful local franchises in public television history.

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The New England Patriots have announced that they will have their send off rally on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

The rally will be held inside the stadium with gates opening at 10:15 a.m. and the team will show a replay of the AFC Championship game at 10:30 a.m.

The rally program will begin at noon with President Jonathan Kraft and Head Coach Bill Belichick expected to speak to the crowd.

The event is free and open to the public, the parking is free as well but tailgating will not be allowed.

Follow Steve on Twitter  @SteveMichaelsII