COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – UConn women’s basketball  standout Breanna Stewart (Syracuse, N.Y.) has been named the 2013 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year for the second time in her career. Stewart, who earned a fifth gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA U19 World Championship last summer, also received the honor in 2011. At 19 years old, she becomes the youngest repeat recipient of the award and one of only five athletes to earn the honor on multiple occasions.

USA Basketball’s Female Athlete of the Year Award was established in 1980 to recognize a USA Basketball athlete who, during the year of the award, made a significant impact on the success of her team’s performance. The USA Basketball Board of Directors is responsible for selecting its annual awards.

“It’s a great honor,” said the UConn sophomore. “I love competing with USA Basketball and have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to do that for the last several years. I’m so happy and thankful that USA Basketball has given me all the opportunities it has to travel abroad and learn a lot.”

Earning the award for the first time as a Husky, Stewart joins Diana Taurasi and Tina Charles as the third Connecticut player to be recognized as the USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year. Taurasi, a three-time recipient of the award, has alternated earning the honors with Stewart over the past four years (2012, 2010, 2006). In 2009 Tina Charles began a span of five consecutive years in which Huskies have garnered Female Athlete of the Year laurels.

Stewart has excelled on the international stage, most recently leading USA to a perfect 9-0 record and a gold medal at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship alongside UConn teammates Moriah Jefferson (Glen Heights, Texas) and Morgan Tuck (Bolingbrook, Ill.). The 6-foot-4-inch forward led Team USA in nearly every category en route to the top of the podium, averaging 16.9 points and 6.2 rebounds, shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 58.3 percent from 3-point range.  The superb performance guided Stewart to MVP honors at the conclusion of the tournament.

Stewart owns several distinguished accomplishments in USA Basketball, being one of only three U.S. female athletes to have played in two USA U19 World Championship Teams. She also left her mark on the USA U19 scoring records, setting the program’s competition record for most points with 152. Her 26 points against Lithuana on July 18 marked the second-highest individual game total in the history of the USA U19 squad.

Following an exceptional rookie campaign that saw her crowned a National Champion and just the fourth freshman in history to be tabbed as the 2013 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Stewart has been nothing short of dominant for the Huskies this season. Stewart leads the team in scoring, and blocks, averaging 18.1 points and 2.7 blocks per game. In UConn’s 15 games so far this season, Stewart has recorded 13 double-digit point contests including six 20-plus point performances. The sophomore logged four consecutive double-doubles in December, matching her career-high along the way with 29 points against No. 20 California at Madison Square Garden.

Stewart adds USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year to the growing list of accolades she has acquired this season. Prior to the start of game play, the American Athletic Conference selected Stewart as the league’s Preseason Player of the Year. The Associated Press named Stewart and teammate Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) to the Preseason All-American team. Stewart’s name can be found on the Naismith, Wade, and Wooden Award Watch Lists. Most recently, Stewart earned American and USBWA National Player of the Week attention on Dec. 24.

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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. 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.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies women's basketball team as they'll host the Houston Cougars at Gampel Pavilion. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast locally in Connecticut on SNY and will be available on WatchESPN outside of the SNY footprint.

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

UConn Women's Basketball links

Dolson doing double-double duty [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Notebook: KML to play without elbow brace [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Dolson rebounds, Huskies win (with video, analysis) [roger cleaveland – waterbury republican-american]

Huskies Drew A Crowd In Memphis [rich elliott – ct post]

Back Home, Auriemma Is Looking For Huskies To Improve [rich elliott – ct post]

Mosqueda-Lewis To Play Without Elbow Brace Tonight [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn working on half-court offense [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn finally back at Gampel Pavilion [jim fuller – new haven register]

No. 1 UConn Hosts Houston at Gampel [uconnhuskies.com]

14 Players to Watch in 2014: UConn's Stefanie Dolson [the american]

UConn's Dolson becoming a prolific rebounder [ct post]

Despite 15-0 Perfection, Geno Sees Flaws With UConn Women [hartford courant]

A touch of home on tap for Moriah Jefferson [new haven register]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Looking Ahead to UConn’s Next Opponent: Harvard [dom amore – hartford courant]

Former UConn Player Travels To North Korea With Rodman [hartford courant]

Harvard readies for big test at UConn [boston herald]

UConn Football links

Bob Diaco Announces UConn Football Coaching Staff [sox & dawgs]

Season Tix On Sale, Catching Up With Coach Diaco And Geno Da Man [desmond conner – hartford courant]

In General Coach Diaco Talks Recruiting [desmond conner – hartford courant]

UConn's Diaco thrilled with his coaching staff [jim fuller – new haven register]

Recruiting process about to kick into high gear at UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Bob Diaco Joins Geno Auriemma On Radio Show [uconnhuskies.com]

Diaco Staff Features Patterson, Cummings, Poindexter, 6 More [hartford courant]

UConn football team fills out its coaching staff [new haven register]

Other UConn related links

Field Hockey. Bolles Featured in Sports Illustrated Faces in the Crowd [uconnhuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Stevens Named NFHCA National Coach of the Year [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Time Change for Robert Morris Game Friday, January 10th [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Senior Captain Brant Harris Named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Three Huskies To Play For Respective Countries At U-20 CONCACAF Championship [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. Elaine Chuli Earns Second Weekly Conference Honor [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. UConn Hosts No. 5/4 Harvard In Tuesday Tilt [uconnhuskies.com]

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STORRS, Conn. (January 6, 2014) – University of Connecticut head football coach Bob Diaco has hired eight new assistant coaches and retained one from the previous staff as announced on Monday (Jan. 6). The staff will be:

Don Patterson comes to Storrs after spending the last three seasons as the quarterbacks coach and recuiting coordinator at Buffalo. Will also coach quarterbacks at UConn in addition to Associate Head Coach responsibilities.

– Spent 18 years on legendary coach Hayden Fry's staff at Iowa, working with the Hawkeyes from 1979-98 including six seasons as the offensive coordinator

– Was the head coach at Western Illinois from 1999-2009

– Coached in 14 postseason games at Iowa, including three Rose Bowls

Mike Cummings takes over as the UConn Offensive Coordinator after holding the same title at Central Michigan for the past four seasons. He will also have position responsibility with tight ends.

– Was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Central Michigan from 2010-13, his third stint at CMU

– Also made stops at RPI, Millersville, Michigan State, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Marshall

– Coached Eric Fisher at Central Michigan, the first player from CMU and the MAC to be selected first overall in the NFL draft

Anthony Poindexter will be the Defensive Coordinator at UConn after spending the last 10 years in various roles on the coaching staff at Virginia, where he was an All-American safety in 1997 and 1998.

– Spent 10 years at Virginia, including the last five on the defensive side of the ball, most recently working with safeties for the past three years

– Is ninth in UVA history in tackles (342) and fifth all-time with 12 interceptions

– Was drafted by Baltimore in the 1999 NFL Draft and helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV

Wayne Lineburg joins UConn as its Special Teams Coordinator and wide receivers coach. He spent the last four years in various roles on the staff at Richmond, including a year as Interim Head Coach.

– Was Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Richmond from 2012-13 after serving as offensive coordinator from 2010-11 and Interim Head Coach in 2011

– Coached on the offensive side of the ball from 2007-09 at Virginia, his second coaching stop at UVA after playing quarterback there from 1992-95

– Has 18 years of coaching experience, and has coached or played in 11 postseason games

Vincent Brown will coach the UConn linebackers and serve as the Co-Defensive Coordinator after four years as a defensive position coach at Virginia. Brown played eight seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots and was a three-time All-Pro.

– Coached the defensive line at Virginia in 2013 after spending 2010-12 with the linebackers and special teams

– Also made coaching stops at Richmond, the Dallas Cowboys and Meadowcreek High School (Ga.)

– Was an All-American linebacker at Mississippi Valley State in 1987 before being drafted in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft

– Recorded 811 tackles, 16.5 sacks and 10 interceptions in 123 games in New England, earning NFL All-Pro honors in 1991, 1992 and 1993

Kevin Wolthausen comes to UConn to serve as the recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach. A 34-year coaching veteran, Wolthausen spent 2013 as the special teams coach at Florida International.

– Has made 14 career stops in 34 seasons, including Arizona, USC, Oklahoma, Louisville and the Atlanta Falcons

– Coached in 18 bowl games, including four Rose Bowls and an Orange Bowl

– Mentored future NFL defensive linemen Elvis Dumervil and Amobi Okoye to All-America seasons during his time at Louisville

Mike Foley is the lone holdover on the UConn staff from the 2013 season, and will continue working with the offensive line.

– Has coached at UConn since 2006, coaching the offensive line from 2006-11 and the final eight games of 2013 and working with tight ends in 2012 and 2013

– Prior to UConn, spent 21 years at his alma mater, Colgate, where he was the head coach from 1988-92 and offensive coordinator from 1997-2005

– Has helped the UConn offensive line block for five 1,000 yard rushers, including the NCAA's leading rusher in Donald Brown in 2008

Ernest T. Jones will join Diaco in moving from Notre Dame to UConn after spending 2012-13 as the Director of Player Development and Engagement for the Fighting Irish. He will coach running backs and be tasked with player engagement at UConn.

– Coached at nine schools since 2000, including Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Buffalo and Notre Dame

– Was the Head Coach at his alma mater, Alcorn State, in 2008

– Coached in a pair of BCS bowls, including the Sugar Bowl  in the 2009 season and the 2013 BCS National Championship

Josh Reardon rounds out Diaco's staff, also coming to Storrs via Notre Dame. Reardon was a graduate assistant with the Irish the past two seasons after spending four years as a defensive position coach at the FCS level. He will coach cornerbacks and serve as the Co-Special Teams Coordinator at Connecticut.

– Played linebacker at Central Michigan from 2001-04 before working there as a graduate assistant in 2006-07, helping CMU win the MAC Championship and Motor City Bowl in 2006

– Spent three years at Sacred Heart, including one as defensive coordinator

– Helped Notre Dame to bowl games in both of his seasons there, including the 2013 BCS National Championship

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

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. 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.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies women's basketball team as they are in Orlando, FL to take on the UCF Golden Knights. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the game will be televised locally on SNY. The game will also be shown on WatchESPN outside of the SNY footprint.

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

UConn Women's Basketball links

Any coming attractions for Huskies in Orlando? [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

UCF’s Mitchell shares connection with UConn [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Mosqueda-Lewis Continues Process Of Getting Back To Full Strength [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn venturing into new territory [jim fuller – new haven register]

No. 1 Huskies Head South for Conference Road Opener Wednesday [uconnhuskies.com]

Post-injury, UConn's KML working on all-around game [ct post]

UConn Women Look To Inflate Offense After Flat Performance Vs. Cincinnati [hartford courant]

Brianna Banks, UConn women will have support on road trip [new haven register]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Wrapping Things Up In Houston [dom amore – hartford courant]

UConn Players, Coach Take Turns Accepting Blame for Loss to Houston [david borges – new haven register]

Cougar Town [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

UConn Loses To Houston, 75-71 [hartford courant]

Elvin Hayes Likes The Look Of The New AAC [hartford courant]

UConn can't overcome poor start to Houston [new haven register]

Other UConn related links

M. Ice Hockey. Freshman Robby Nichols Named Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Yale Holds The Key To All-Connecticut Hockey Tournament

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

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. 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.

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

UConn Women's Basketball links

Auriemma Happy To Share The Spotlight [rich elliott – ct post]

Report: Maya Moore returning to China [jim fuller – new haven register]

Breanna Stewart Seems To Be Regaining Steam At The Right Time [hartford courant]

Three points from Tuesday's win over Pittsburgh [new haven register]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Kevin Ollie’s Take [dom amore – hartford courant]

Wrapping Things Up from Gampel [dom amore – hartford courant]

Georgetown Beats UConn in Double-Overtime, Instant Classic [david borges – new haven register]

Notes/Quotes from Georgetown: “This was a very, very, very, very emotional game.” [kevin duffy – ct post]

Post-game breakdown, video: Georgetown [gavin keefe – the day]

A classic but a Husky loss [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

UConn-Georgetown postgame [john silver – snyuconn.com]

Utter Shame [uconn huskies basketball]

No. 7 Georgetown escapes in two overtimes against UConn [ct post]

Porter vs. Daniels another wild subplot to UConn season [ct post]

Nutshell: Porter rises at end to elevate Georgetown over UConn [ct post]

No one ever thought Ollie, UConn could pull this off [ct post]

UConn Men Fall In Double Overtime To Georgetown, 79-78 [hartford courant]

Napier's Foot Hurting [hartford courant]

Daniels Does It All, But UConn Falls Short [hartford courant]

No. 7 Georgetown rallies to stun Huskies in double overtime [new haven register]

For UConn, there's little consolation [the day]

Georgetown beats UConn in 2 OTs [andy katz – espn.com]

UConn Football links

Former Husky Will Beatty Gets Paid [SOX & Dawgs]

UConn combine performances no surprise [andrea adelson – espn.com]

UConn Huskies shine at NFL Combine [chris elsberry – ct post]

Pasqualoni Says Hyppolite Hurt Hip In Accident [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Top Red Sox pitching prospect Matt Barnes readying himself for second pro season [projo sox blog]

Verplanck "Reading Millionaires" Honored By Husky Reach [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Swimming. Women's Swimming And Diving Heads To Indy [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Swimming. Husky Relay Team Sets Record At BIG EAST First Day [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Tennis. Women's Tennis Falls To Quinnipiac, 6-1 [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Swimming. Men's Swimming And Diving Opens At BIG EAST [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Lacrosse. UConn Lacrosse Downs No. 15 Boston College, 13-8 [uconnhuskies.com]

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

The Boston Red Sox got a big scare last night when third baseman Will Middlebrooks dropped his bat and clutched his wrist after a check swing in the first inning of last night's 5-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Middlebrooks said he was fine after the game but it appears the Red Sox are sending him to a wrist specialist just to be sure. WMB stated it's possible that he loosened up some scar tissue and that's what caused the initial pain.

Let's hope that's the case. We can't afford to lose him again.

Anyways, the Red Sox are off to Bradenton this afternoon for a matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. There is no television or radio coverage of the game on the Red Sox end of things. According to the MLB At-Bat app, MLB.com will have audio. So if you have the app or GameDay audio, you can listen to the game.

Here are today's starting lineups:

1. Jackie Bradley, Jr.	CF	1. Alex Presley	CF
2. Brock Holt	2B	2. Jose Tabata	RF
3. Ryan Lavarnway	DH	3. Travis Snider	LF
4. Ryan Sweeney	RF	4. Brandon Inge	DH
5. Drew Sutton	3B	5. Clint Robinson	1B
6. David Ross	C	6. Jared Goedert	3B
7. Lyle Overbay	1B	7. Josh Harrison	SS
8. J.C. Linares	LF	8. Tony Sanchez	C
9. Jose Iglesias	SS	9. Chase d'Arnaud	3B
John Lackey	SP	Jonathan Sanchez	SP

The mouth breather will be followed by Chris Hernandez, Chris Carpenter and Terry Doyle .

Sanchez will be followed by Andy Oliver, Tony Watson, Justin Wilson and Bryan Morris.

To see the overnight and morning links from the local media, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

More links will be added if/when they become available and will be bolded.

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

Will Middlebrooks gets wrist scare [boston herald]

Jonny Gomes brings his proven chemistry formula to Red Sox [boston herald]

Mike Napoli debut on tap [boston herald]

Will Middlebrooks offers Red Sox an uncomfortable reminder [rob bradford – weei.com]

Middlebrooks declare self OK, but awaits further tests [clubhouse insider]

Farrell says Middlebrooks injury 'benign' [clubhouse insider]

Red Sox notes: Doubront expected to start against Rays [csn new england]

Hassan scheduled for follow-up MRI [csn new england]

Farrell 'can see the merit' in outlawing violent home plate collisions [csn new england]

Deep bullpen could be key to Red Sox success [csn new england]

Farrell on Napoli: 'We're looking forward to getting him on the field' [csn new england]

Middlebrooks on injury: 'Nothing's broken, nothing's torn' [csn new england]

Should Jackie Bradley start the season in the majors? [csn new england]

Middlebrooks wrist injury 'just a scare' [espn boston]

Takeaways: O's 5, Sox 3; Dodging a zinger [espn boston]

Will Middlebrooks of Boston Red Sox says wrist checked out OK [espn boston]

Will Middlebrooks to see wrist specialist [espn boston]

Middlebrooks scare a chilling reminder [espn boston]

How does the Red Sox future look? [espn boston]

John Farrell notes Wednesday: Felix Doubront cleared for start, David Ortiz takes a personal leave [full count]

Will Middlebrooks on injury scare: ‘Nothing’s broken. Nothing’s torn.’ [full count]

Jonny Gomes launches moonshot, Will Middlebrooks dodges bullet in Red Sox spring loss to Orioles [full count]

Will Middlebrooks Optimistic That Wrist Injury Was ‘Just a Scare,’ But Losing Slugger Would Be Nightmare for Red Sox [nesn.com]

Jackie Bradley Jr. Could Make Impact With Red Sox in 2013, But Outfielder Shouldn’t Crack Opening Day Roster [nesn.com]

Bradley ready for center stage [on deck]

Fortnotes*: A Scare for Middlebrooks, a Lesson for Barnes, an Insight from Ross [projo sox blog]

Middlebrooks: "I'm not hurt" [projo sox blog]

Aceves officially added to Team Mexico's roster [redsox.com]

Competitive AL East braces for shakeup [redsox.com]

Tense moment reveals lack of depth at third base [redsox.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

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

Before this game started on Wednesday night, no one other than the UConn Huskies men's basketball team themselves and their fans thought they had any chance against the Georgetown Hoyas.

It's obvious they haven't watched this team battle all year long against the odds. No Big East Tournament, no NCAA Tournament, supposedly nothing to play for. But this is a Kevin Ollie coached team and there is no quit in them.

In the first half, it was defense. In the second half, it was offense. And after the first overtime it was tied.

But Georgetown rallied from seven points down in the second overtime as they scored the final eight points of the game to steal a 79-78 win over UConn in front of a sold-out crowd and nationally televised audience on ESPN2 at Gampel Pavilion.

UConn falls to 19-8 (9-6 Big East) while the Hoyas improve to 22-4 (12-3).

DeAndre Daniels led the Huskies with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds along with three blocks. Despite injuring his ankle, Shabazz Napier had 16 points, five rebounds and six assists.  Omar Calhoun had 13 points and seven rebounds while Ryan Boatright rounded out the Huskies in double-digits with 11 points and had a team-high eight assists.

After being held to just one point in the first half, Otto Porter, Jr. scored 21 of his 22 points in the second half and both overtimes. Markell Starks had 19 points while D'Vaun Smith Rivera had 14 points. Nate Lubick also had a nice night for the Hoyas with nine points, seven rebounds and six assists before fouling out.

As I said above, it was all about defense in the first half as both teams were outstanding on the defensive end. The stars, Napier and Porter, Jr., combined for just one point in the second.

Early in the second half, Porter put the Hoyas up five with a three at 32-27 before Calhoun cut it back down to two points with a three of his own. Then Georgetown put together a 9-0 run to seize control of the game or so they thought.

The Hoyas lead would stay between 8-10 points until they went up 12 with 4:36 to go at 60-48. UConn got themselves and the crowd back into the game with a 9-0 run to cut the lead to three. The Hoyas would push the lead back to five late before a Calhoun put back.

UConn had to foul late and they fouled Starks who missed the front end of a one-and-one. Boatright got the ball down the court to Calhoun who nailed a three to tie it at 60. Niels Giffey then stole the inbounds pass but his shot was just off the mark forcing overtime.

Both teams scored seven points in the first overtime and not one of those was scored after the 2:28 mark. In the second OT, UConn started out quickly with a 9-2 run. But the Hoyas ramped up their defense and after a Napier turnover, Porter, Jr. drove the length of the court for the game winning layup.

Boatright had a chance to win but was triple-teamed and his shot bounced off the rim to give Georgetown.

Sure this is tough loss for UConn. But they didn't quit. They could have easily packed things up. But with Ollie inspiring them on the sidelines, they rallied and by golly, almost pulled the game out.

And no matter what anyone says, this is a special UConn team. And with a great man leading them, great things will come to UConn.

The Huskies are back in action on Saturday when they head to Cincinnati for a matchup with the Cincinnati Bearcats. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.

To continue reading, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

Georgetown Hoyas @ UConn Huskies 2.27.13 box score

Here are the postgame quotes from UConn head coach Kevin Ollie.

Here are UConn's postgame notes.

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

photo credit: john woike – hartford courant (no. 9 in gallery)