Author Archives: ianbethune

UConn’s Dolson, Hartley and Stewart Honored as All-Americans by the USBWA

LINCOLN, Neb. – Senior center Stefanie Dolson, senior guard Bria Hartley and sophomore forward Breanna Stewart have earned a spot on the United States Basketball Writers Association All-America Team as announced by the USBWA on Monday, March 31.

UConn HuskiesThe USBWA Women’s All-America Team is the nation’s best ten players, regardless of position, as selected by the USBWA membership based on regular-season performance. These ten standouts are finalists for the USBWA’s Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the national player of the year, which will be announced Sunday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., at 3:30 p.m. ET prior to the start of the NCAA Women’s Final Four.

Dolson earns her second-straight USBWA All-America Team selection while Hartley and Stewart earn the honor for the first time.  The Huskies have had at least one selection on the 10-member team in six of the last seven seasons.  Dolson is the fifh Husky to earn multiple selections to the team, which began in 1996, joining Nykesha Sales, Svetlana Abrosimova, Diana Taurasi, and Maya Moore.

The UConn trio were recently selected as 10 finalists for the 2014 Wade Trophy.  The USBWA All-America Team included three members from the same team for only the second time.  Tennessee earned three selections during the 1998-99 season.

Dolson, the 2013-14 American Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Sportsmanship Award winner, is enjoying a stellar senior campaign, averaging 12.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. The senior ranks 12th on UConn’s all-time scoring list with 1,747 career points and became only the fifth Husky all-time, along with Tina Charles, Maya Moore, Rebecca Lobo, and Jamelle Elliott, to register at least 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds.

Hartley, an American Athletic Conference First Team member, ranks second on the team with16.5 points per game and now sits in ninth place in UConn scoring history with 1,942 points, including 20 points in the Huskies’ second round win over Saint Joseph’s on Tuesday. The guard became just the third Husky, joining Moore and Diana Taurasi, to register 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists. Earlier this month, Hartley was selected as one of 19 nominees for the James E. Sullivan Award, which honors the nation’s outstanding amateur athlete.

Stewart has been one of the nation’s most prolific players in the 2013-14 season, earning both American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and espnW Player of the Year accolades. The sophomore is averaging a team-high 19.7 points per game and has reached double digits in 27 straight games. Stewart was recently chosen as one of four finalists for the 2014 Naismith Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top collegiate basketball player.

Following is the complete 2013-14 USBWA Women’s All-America Team:

2013-14 USBWA WOMEN’S ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Player, School Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown
Stefanie Dolson, Connecticut C 6-5 Sr. Port Jervis, N.Y.
Bria Hartley, Connecticut G 5-8 Sr. North Babylon, N.Y.
Jewell Loyd, Notre Dame G 5-10 So. Lincolnwood, Ill.
Maggie Lucas, Penn State G 5-10 Sr. Narberth, Pa.
Kayla McBride, Notre Dame G 5-11 Sr. Erie, Pa.
Chiney Ogwumike, Stanford F 6-4 Sr. Cypress, Texas
Shoni Schimmel, Louisville G 5-9 Sr. Mission, Ore.
Odyssey Sims, Baylor G 5-8 Sr. Irving, Texas
Breanna Stewart, Connecticut F 6-4 So. Syracuse, N.Y.
Alyssa Thomas, Maryland F 6-2 Sr. Harrisburg, Pa.
By conference: American Athletic (4); ACC (3); Big Ten (1); Big 12 (1); Pac-12 (1).
By class: Seniors (8); Sophomores (2).

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

 

Red Sox 2014 Opening Day Delight

Jon Lester (L) vs Chris Tillman (R)

The Boston Red Sox look to defend their 2013 World Series Championship as they open up the season. They’ll begin their quest for two straight with the first game of a three-game set this afternoon with the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles market, you can catch the game on MASN. If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as ESPN2 will have coverage of the game. You can also catch the game online at WatchESPN. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.

Jon Lester makes his fourth straight Opening Day start for the Red Sox. He made 33 starts in 2013 and was 15-8 with a 3.75 ERA.  Four of those starts came against the Birds in which he went 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA. He’s made 25 career starts against the O’s and is 15-3 with a 2.94 ERA. 13 of those starts have come at Camden Yards where he is 8-1 with a 2.99 ERA.

Chris Tillman makes his first career Opening Day start for the Orioles. He made 33 starts in 2013 and was 16-7 with a 3.71 ERA. Six of those starts came against the Red Sox where he went 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA. He’s made 11 career starts against the Red Sox and is 4-2 with a 2.74 ERA. Six of those starts have come at Camden Yards where he is 3-1 with a 3.09 ERA.

Boston Red Sox0-0 Baltimore Orioles0-0
1. Daniel Nava RF 1. Nick Markakis RF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B 2. J.J. Hardy SS
3. David Ortiz DH 3. Adam Jones CF
4. Mike Napoli 1B 4. Chris Davis 1B
5. Mike Carp LF 5. Nelson Cruz LF
6. Grady Sizemore CF 6. Matt Wieters C
7. Xander Bogaerts SS 7. Delmon Young DH
8. A.J. Pierzynski C 8. Ryan Flaherty 3B
9. Will Middlebrooks 3B 9. Jonathan Schoop 2B
Jon Lester SP Chris Tillman SP

NOTES:

The Red Sox placed Shane Victorino on the 15-day DL before the game. To take his place on the 25-man roster, Jackie Bradley Jr. was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.

Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles Batter/Pitcher Matchups

More links will be added if/when they become available so please check back often.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

How great is David Ortiz? [sox & dawgs]

Bradley Jr. May Have Needed to Be Optioned to Pawtucket Even if Sizemore Wasn’t Involved [sox & dawgs]

2014 Red Sox Preview [boston globe]

Check out our 2014 Red Sox preview section [boston herald]

The curious case of Shane Victorino: A reminder to expect the unexpected [rob bradford – weei.com]

Jon Lester on contract uncertainty: ‘If I use that for motivation, I’ve got problems’ [clubhouse insider]

Without Shane Victorino, Mike Carp makes start in left field — plus, American flag blazers at White House? [clubhouse insider]

How patriotic are Red Sox feeling for White House visit? [clubhouse insider]

Red Sox preview: Getting to know the 2014 Sox [csn new england]

Bogaerts ready for his first Opening Day [csn new england]

Ortiz (calf) says he’ll be ‘fine’ [csn new england]

Red Sox have rest scheduled for Sizemore [csn new england]

Lester still honored to start Opening Day [csn new england]

Middlebrooks hopes new contacts lead to more contact [csn new england]

Bradley Jr.: I’m ready whenever called upon [csn new england]

Breslow ‘shooting for’ Saturday to come off DL [csn new england]

Replay ‘will take getting used to’ says Farrell [csn new england]

Opening Day roster, with salaries [espn boston]

Lester trusts it’s not beginning of end [espn boston]

Boston Red Sox, John Farrell not worried about repeating as World Series champs [espn boston]

On deck? Star-spangled blazers [espn boston]

Opening notes: The Shesta files [espn boston]

Red Sox open 2014 season in Baltimore [espn boston]

Let the games begin: Red Sox ready to face Orioles on Opening Day [extra bases]

Jon Lester talks contract (again): ‘If I use that as motivation, I’ve got problems’ [full count]

Jonny Gomes on setting tone in opener: ‘We know the tone’ [full count]

Ken Rosenthal on D&C: Sox will have issue if Shane Victorino is banged up [full count]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Orioles and Opening Day [projo sox blog]

Red Sox have no players among baseball’s 30 highest-paid [providence journal]

Craig Breslow to rehab with PawSox, hopeful for a quick return [providence journal]

Calm Bogaerts eager for first Opening Day [redsox.com]

Victorino’s availability uncertain for Opening Day [redsox.com]

Cohesive as can be, Sox open title defense vs. O’s [redsox.com]

The vision thing: Why things are looking clearer for Will Middlebrooks after a monster spring [alex speier – weei.com]

As Xander Bogaerts moves from prospect to cornerstone, new challenges await [alex speier – weei.com]

Red Sox repeat might be improbable, but don’t we know that ‘anything is possible’? [touching all the bases]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credits: getty images, getty images

Red Sox Place Victorino on DL; Bradley, Jr. Recalled

When the Boston Red Sox released their 2014 Opening Day roster, OF Shane Victorino was on it even though he was sent home to get an MRI.

Boston Red SoxUnfortunately for Victorino, the MRI showed a strain of his right hamstring and he was placed on the 15-day DL. To take his place on the 25-man roster, the Red Sox recalled Jackie Bradley Jr. from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Here’s the release from the Red Sox:

BOSTON, MA – Prior to today’s season opener in Baltimore, the Boston Red Sox placed outfielder Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to March 30) with a right hamstring strain. To fill his spot on the 25-man roster, outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.

Victorino, 33, suffered the injury while running the bases in Saturday’s Grapefruit League finale against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, FL. In 10 games this spring, he batted .250 (7-for-28) with three doubles, one RBI, and three runs scored.

Bradley, 23, went 9-for-57 (.158) with four doubles, one triple, five RBI, and two runs scored in 19 Grapefruit League games this spring, his second straight year in major league camp. He began the spring with 15 appearances in center field and played his last three games in right field.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 3/31

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

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 the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis.

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

It’s game day for the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team as they’ll take on the Texas A&M Aggies in the Elite Eight at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, NE. Tip is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN. You can also catch the game online at WatchESPN.com. If you live locally in Connecticut and can’t watch the game, you can always listen to Bob Joyce and Debbie Fiske on the UConn IMG Radio Network.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn Women’s Basketball Elite Eight Pregame Quotes [sox & dawgs]

Video: UConn Women Prepare For Elite Eight [sox & dawgs]

Huskies make young fan feel welcome [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Jefferson, Jones meet with Final Four on line [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

UConn, Texas A&M 40 minutes from Final Four [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

The “New” Mosqueda-Lewis Looks Good Now – And Likely Later [john altavilla – hartford courant]

The Heat Is On For UConn – Monday Is Also Trivia Quiz Day [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Gary Blair’s Perspective On UConn Is Worth Hearing [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Competitors On Monday, Friends Forever [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Geno Aureimma Says Don’t Look Down [john altavilla – hartford courant]

NCAA Heading In Neutral Direction Next Season [rich elliott – ct post]

Hartley Moves To Fifth; Geno Takes Credit For Turnover [rich elliott – ct post]

Mosqueda-Lewis Takes A Look At Texas A&M [rich elliott – ct post]

Quick Chat With Auriemma Helped Stewart Vs. BYU [rich elliott – ct post]

Huskies Had A Locker Room Guest Saturday In Lincoln [rich elliott – ct post]

Bentley’s national title special for UConn’s Stewart [jim fuller – new haven register]

Aggies assistant no stranger to UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Memories of mentor still drives elite point guards [jim fuller – new haven register]

Top-Seeded UConn Meets Third-Seeded Texas A&M In Elite Eight [uconnhuskies.com]

Women’s Hoops Encountered A Necessary Challenge in BYU [uconnhuskies.com]

Low anxiety: UConn women don’t feel Final Four pressure [ct post]

UConn Offers Glimpse Of Future As It Contemplates Present Vs. A&M [hartford courant]

Chris Dailey, Quizmaster, Keeps Team Engaged [hartford courant]

Texas A&M assistant Bob Starkey helped hand UConn its last loss in Elite 8 [new haven register]

UConn’s Jefferson, Texas A&M’s Jones excited to face off in Elite 8 [new haven register]

UConn women face Texas A&M in Elite Eight tonight [the day]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Bracket Busters [sox & dawgs]

Video: UConn Men Surge Past Michigan State For Final Four Berth [sox & dawgs]

Video: UConn Men Cut Down the MSG Net [sox & dawgs]

UConn Huskies Men’s Basketball Final Four Apparel [sox & dawgs]

Wrapping Things Up At The Garden [dom amore – hartford courant]

UConn Returns to Dallas — All Part of Kevin Ollie’s Plan [david borges – new haven register]

UConn holds a Garden party (video) [gavin keefe – the day]

For Huskies, a 5th trip to Final Four [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

NOTES: Return trip to Texas [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

UConn heading to Final Four [william paxton – ct post]

UConn reaches fifth Final Four [john silver – snyuconn.com]

Boatright’s all-around play [john silver – snyuconn.com]

Our House [uconn huskies basketball]

Ticket And Travel Information For NCAA Men’s Final Four [uconnhuskies.com]

Social Media World Reacts to UConn Beating Michigan State [the american]

UConn men advance to the Final Four [ct post]

UConn savors return trip to Jerry World [ct post]

For Ollie and his mom, a trip to Texas together [ct post]

UConn’s Nolan contains MSU big man Payne [ct post]

UConn Roars Back Against MSU; Reaches Final Four [hartford courant]

UConn’s Speed Slows Down Michigan State [hartford courant]

Boatright’s Defense Helps Huskies Win [hartford courant]

UConn’s Past And Present Revels In The Moment On The MSG Floor [hartford courant]

Kevin Ollie Takes The Stairs, And It’s Paying Off [hartford courant]

UConn earns trip to Final Four with win over Michigan State [new haven register]

Notebook: Defense keyed Huskies’ win over Spartans [new haven register]

UConn stuns Michigan State and advances to Final Four [the day]

Napier, Huskies weren’t about to back down [the day]

Napier bleeds blue and leads UConn to another Final Four [the hour]

NCAA Tournament Notebook: Husky seniors found a way to get back to the Final Four [the hour]

Napier, Huskies always kept believing [espn.com]

UConn-Florida Rematch Set; Napier’s Stock is Rising [zagsblog.com]

Shabazz Napier buzzer beater was difference during Huskies’ 65-64 home win over UF on Dec. 2 [orlando sentinel]

UConn tradition never wavering, Huskies get back to Final Four [cbssports.com]

Gators face Huskies in Final Four [gainesville sun]

UConn students celebrate Huskies win [wtnh.com]

Huskies become aggressor to outslug Spartans [ny post]

Huskies coach: We can beat Gators again [ny post]

Napier follows path of Huskies’ top dogs [ny daily news]

For Shabazz Napier, N.B.A. Can Wait [ny times]

UConn 60, MSU 54: Spartans bounced in Elite Eight [detroit free press]

Heartbreaking ending for a ‘drained’ Michigan State team [detroit free press]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Game Three Of UConn-Rutgers Baseball Series Canceled [uconnhuskies.com]

Softball. UConn Softball Wins Second Straight, Will Not Play Series Finale With Memphis [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Golf. UConn Ninth At FAU Slomin Autism Invite [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Video: UConn Men Surge Past Michigan State For Final Four Berth

 UConn's Shabazz Napier cuts down the net after defeating Michigan State in the NCAA East Regional final Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

Shabazz Napier got the look, the look of we’re going to the Final Four whether you want us to or not.

And when that look came from the UConn Huskies senior point guard, it meant that the Michigan State Spartans were doomed.

Napier had 17 of his 25 points in the second half to lead UConn to 60-54 win over Michigan State at Madison Square Garden on Sunday afternoon.

It’s the first 30 win season for Huskies head coach Kevin Ollie (30-8). The Spartans finish their season at 29-9 and it’s the first time a senior class hasn’t gone to a Final Four while at MSU.

DeAndre Daniels added 12 points and eight rebounds for UConn. Ryan Boatright chipped in with 11 points and had a team-high four steals.

Gary Harris paced Michigan State with 22 points. Adreian Payne had 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds in his final game while Denzel Valentine had nine points and eight rebounds.

In front of a partisan crowd, the Huskies got out of the gates quickly as they jumped out to 12-2 lead early on. Then a winter chill fell over them while the Spartans heated up and narrowed the gap to two points at 18-16.

Napier would put UConn up 21-16 with a three with 5:27 to go but it would be the final basket they would score in the first half. Michigan State closed out the half on a 9-0 run to enjoy a 25-21 lead at the break.

The Spartans would extend that lead to 10 points early on in the second half before Napier got the look and decided it was time. UConn would use a 9-0 run to take the lead capped off with a Daniels old fashioned three point play.

The Huskies would build their lead to 10 points only to see the Spartans rally back to cut it to two. UConn would hit their free throws down the stretch and Phillip Nolan fast break slam dunk would seal the deal for the Huskies.

Next up for UConn is a rematch with the Florida Gators in the Final Four at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX on Saturday. You may remember the Huskies beat the Gators earlier in the season when Napier hit a shot at the buzzer. Tip is scheduled for 6:09 p.m.

UConn Huskies vs Michigan State Spartans 2014 Elite Eight box score

Here are the postgame quotes from UConn head coach Kevin Ollie and Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credits: brad horrigan – hartford courant

Wolf Pack Shutout Sound Tigers For Second Straight Game

Bridgeport, CT, March 30, 2014 – David LeNeveu authored his second consecutive shutout Sunday at the Webster Bank Arena, making 31 saves, as the Hartford Wolf Pack knocked off the Bridgeport Sound Tigers by a score of 3-0.

Hartford Wolf PackLeNeveu, who rang up the Wolf Pack’s first shutout of the season Saturday night, making 22 saves in a 4-0 Hartford victory over Bridgeport at the XL Center, had watched Dov Grumet-Morris start seven straight Wolf Pack games, and nine out of ten, prior to Saturday’s game.

“It’s a three-in-three (three games in three days) for us, and those guys (Bridgeport) had two games,” LeNeveu said.  “And they came hard last night and they came even harder today.  They wanted it, they’ve got a lot of guys trying out, pushing for jobs next year.”

T.J. Hensick had a goal and an assist Sunday for the Wolf Pack Sunday, who were outshot 31-17 in the game, and Darroll Powe and Marek Hrivik also scored.  Micheal Haley had two assists.  Kevin Poulin made 14 saves in the Bridgeport net.

The Wolf Pack were outshot 10-5 in the first period, but came out of it leading 1-0, thanks to a late goal by Powe.

Powe took a pass from Hensick and broke down right wing in the Bridgeport zone, before putting a backhander off the skates of Sound Tiger defenseman Joe Finley.  The carom deflected underneath the pads of Poulin and into the net at 19:05.

The Wolf Pack then completed the scoring with a pair of goals in the second frame.

Hrivik made it a two-goal lead at 3:39, off of a slick, cross-ice feed from Danny Syvret.  Syvret moved across the Bridgeport blue line on the right-wing side and passed the puck across the slot to Hrivik, whose high shot from the left circle got by Poulin on the stick side.

A fine individual effort by Hensick made it 3-0 Wolf Pack at 14:14 in a four-on-four situation.  Hensick took a pass from Haley in the offensive zone, spun near the blue line, and carried all the way around behind the net, before beating Poulin on a wraparound to Poulin’s left.

The victory improved the Wolf Pack’s record to within one game of the .500 mark, at 30-31-1-6 for 67 points, and opened the gap between the third-place Wolf Pack and the fourth-place Sound Tigers to six points in the Northeast Division.  Hartford finished the week in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, ten points out of a playoff spot.

The Wolf Pack are now off until this Friday, April 4, when they travel to Manchester to face off against the Eastern Conference-leading Monarchs.  Faceoff is 7:00 PM, and all of the action of that battle can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1410, and on-line at www.foxsportsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is this Saturday, April 5, a 7:00 PM contest vs. the Providence Bruins.  Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.  To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Hartford Wolf Pack 3 at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 0
Sunday, March 30, 2014 – Webster Bank Arena

Hartford 1 2 0 – 3
Bridgeport 0 0 0 – 0

1st Period-1, Hartford, Powe 12 (Haley, Hensick), 19:05. Penalties-Mangene Bri (hooking), 11:00; Leboeuf Bri (cross-checking), 15:30.

2nd Period-2, Hartford, Hrivik 10 (Syvret, Fast), 3:39. 3, Hartford, Hensick 10 (Johnson, Haley), 14:14. Penalties-Jean Hfd (goaltender interference), 5:54; Vaive Hfd (holding the stick), 12:45; Wetmore Bri (hooking), 12:45.

3rd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-McIlrath Hfd (interference), 1:54; Hughes Hfd (tripping), 7:54; Vaughan Bri (goaltender interference), 14:50; Allen Hfd (unsportsmanlike conduct, roughing), 15:40; Bruton Bri (roughing), 15:40; Pedan Bri (roughing), 15:40.

Shots on Goal-Hartford 5-7-5-17. Bridgeport 10-10-11-31.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 3; Bridgeport 0 / 3.
Goalies-Hartford, LeNeveu 6-8-0 (31 shots-31 saves). Bridgeport, Poulin 1-8-1 (17 shots-14 saves).
A-6,827
Referees-Trevor Hanson (47), Fred Leblanc (30).
Linesmen-Luke Galvin (2), Kevin Redding (16).

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.