The UConn Huskies men's basketball team returned from their final exams break and had to deal with the emotions of that are still raw after what transpired on Friday in Newton, CT.

After honoring the memory of the victims, the Huskies did their best to take people's minds, albeit temporarily, off what happened. And as you might expect, UConn was a little bit rusty as were the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks.

The Huskies used a big second half to pick up an 84-50 win over the Hawks in front of 8,841 at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on Monday night.

UConn improves to 8-2 while the Hawks fall to 0-9.

After going scoreless his last time out, Omar Calhoun had his best game so far as he led the Huskies with 22 points. Ryan Boatright added 21 points and four rebounds which tied Enosch Wolf and DeAndre Daniels for the team high. Daniels also had 13 points.

Shabazz Napier had a nice all-around game with 11 points and eight assists.

Louis Bell led the Hawks with 12 points. Ron Spencer added 11 points and a game-high eight rebounds.  Kevin Mays also had a nice game with eight points, six rebounds and four assists.

With our thoughts elsewhere, it's tough to focus on things. It's understandable as everyone grieves differently. Hopefully, the Huskies can continue to provide a distraction.

Given it was their first game back, they really in the end didn't play so bad. But with Big East play approaching, they really need to work on their rebounding as they let the Hawks, an 0-9 team coming on, out work them on the boards 30-26.

Something tells me Kevin Ollie will have them working on that before they take the court again.

That'll come on Friday night when they'll host the Fordham Rams at the XL Center. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks @ UConn Huskies 12.17.12 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: david butler ii – special to hartford courant (no. 7 in gallery)

Here's a press release from UConn announcing the creation of a memorial scholarship in memory of those who died in the horrific tragedy in Newtown last Friday.

STORRS, Conn.  — In response to the grief and shock accompanying the tragic school killings in Newtown last Friday, the University of Connecticut has created a memorial scholarship fund to honor those who died.

The Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Connecticut will provide financial aid for any students who currently attend the elementary school, as well as siblings of those killed in the assault and dependents of teachers and other adults who also lost their lives, who are accepted to attend the University in the future.

"It is not easy to conceive of the most heartfelt and respectful way to respond in the wake of such a shattering event," UConn president Susan Herbst says. "Yet Newtown is in our own state and many of our students and alumni have ties to those who are affected directly. The gift of higher education is a transformational one. We want the students of Sandy Hook to have the opportunity to study at a top public research university."

Donations will be collected through the University of Connecticut Foundation to establish a fund in anticipation of supporting the Sandy Hook Elementary students enrolled in the K-4 grades today who will be of college age beginning in approximately 2021.

For siblings and dependents of those who died, funds will be immediately expendable to provide them with scholarship assistance at UConn as needed. All of the monies received will be spent solely for the fund's purpose. If any funds remain once the needs of the groups above have been met, they will be used to benefit any future student from Newtown who attends UConn.

UConn's Hall of Fame women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma and his wife, Kathy, have made an $80,000 lead gift to the fund.

"Over this past difficult weekend, Kathy and I gave much consideration to what we as a family could do that would have some significance for the future," Auriemma says. "Because UConn is so important to us, we decided to establish a scholarship and encourage other UConn alumni, friends and fans around the world to invest in the future of the Sandy Hook survivors."

UConn alumni and members of the public seeking a way to pay tribute to the victims of the tragedy are invited to contribute to the Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund.

More information is available at the University of Connecticut (www.uconn.edu) and UConn Foundation (www.foundation.uconn.edu) websites.

Ways to Donate to the Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund

 Via text: Donors may contribute to the fund by texting 50555 with uconn newtown.

University alumni should also add their name and graduation year. For example: uconn newtown John Smith 88. $10.00 donation to support the University of Connecticut Foundation through the mGive Foundation. Charges will appear on your wireless bill or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 50555 to STOP. Text HELP to 50555 for HELP. Full Terms and Privacy Policy: s.uconn.edu/txt.

Online giving page: Visit www.friends.uconn.edu/sandyhook to make a gift on the secure online giving site.

By mail: Mail your check to the UConn Foundation at 2390 Alumni Drive Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269-3206. Please note on your check that the gift is for the Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund.

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

Here's the press release from UConn about what the UConn Huskies men's and women's basketball team's will do to honor the victims from the horrific tragedy that happened last Friday in Newton, CT.

STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut will hold special pre-game ceremonies before the men’s basketball game on Monday and the women’s basketball game on Wednesday in honor of the tragic incidents that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown last Friday.

Fans are asked to be in their seats for these games by 6:50 p.m. for the ceremonies. The UConn men play Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday at 7:00 p.m. while the women play Oakland on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Both games are at the XL Center in Hartford.

The UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams will both be wearing patches on their games jerseys in recognition of the tragedy. The patch is a rectangle with a green background, a black outline and the letters “SH” in white. The school colors of Sandy Hook Elementary School are green and white. UConn bench personnel and others associated with the game will also be wearing special green and white ribbons.

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

It looks like Jose Iglesias will have to wait another year before taking over at shortstop for the Boston Red Sox.

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Red Sox and Stephen Drew have agreed to a one-year deal. Heyman reports that it's worth $9.5 million.

With Mike Aviles being jettisoned in the off-season, it was thought Iglesias would have the chance to be the full-time shortstop. Now with Drew, the brother of J.D. Drew, Iglesias will probably spend another season in Triple-A Pawtucket getting more time to develop his offensive skills.

Drew spent his first 6.5 seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks before he was traded to the Oakland Athletics. He only appeared in 79 games in 2012, hitting a combined .223 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs between the two teams.

I'm not sure how I feel about this.

Iglesias is definitely ready defensively. We've all seen that. Offensively, he's not quite there. But he was starting to hit the ball a lot better towards the end of the season with more playing time.

I do wonder if they'll still give him a chance to earn the starting job during spring training.

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

photo credit: getty images

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 men's basketball team as they'll take on the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks at the XL Center in Hartford, CT at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast locally in Connecticut on SNY. You can also watch online at WatchESPN. You can also listen on the IMG/UConn Radio Network.

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

UConn Men's Basketball links

With Heavy Hearts, UConn Prepares for a Basketball Game [dom amore – hartford courant]

Kevin Ollie, UConn Players Address Newtown Tragedy [david borges – new haven register]

Notes/Quotes from Dec. 16: Ollie talks Catholic Seven [kevin duffy – ct post]

Ollie, Huskies react to Newtown tragedy, etc. (video) [gavin keefe – the day]

At a crossroads [john silver – sny.com]

Men's Basketball Takes On UMES On Monday [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn feels impact of Newtown tragedy [ct post]

UConn Men Find It Hard To Focus In Midst Of Tragedy [hartford courant]

Huskies will return to court Monday with heavy hearts [new haven register]

Huskies get back to work with Newtown very much on their minds [the day]

UConn Football links

JUCO Tight End commits to UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

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

Five Things About The UConn Women [hartford courant]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Statement from Newtown native and former UConn player Cochrane [kevin duffy – ct post]

In Evans household, the less fortunate never forgotten [ct post]

5 Things We've Learned About UConn Men's Basketball Team [hartford courant]

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

On Friday, the Boston Red Sox announced their 2013 minor league field staffs.

Here's the release:

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today announced the 2013 field staffs for their minor league affiliates.  Director of Player Development Ben Crockett made the announcement of managers, coaches, and athletic trainers for each of the seven teams.

The Red Sox have added three individuals to the 2013 field staff alignment, hiring Gary DiSarcina as the manager at Triple-A Pawtucket, Tom Kotchman as a coach at the club’s rookie level Gulf Coast League team and Aly Gonzalez as a coach for the organization’s rookie-level Dominican Summer League team.

BOSTON RED SOX 2013 MINOR LEAGUE FIELD STAFFS

Pawtucket (Triple-A, International League)

Manager: Gary DiSarcina is rejoining the Red Sox organization after a stint in the Los Angeles Angels front office as special assistant to the general manager in 2011 and field coordinator in 2012.  The 12-year Major League veteran and 1995 American League All-Star previously spent five years in the Red Sox organization as a Baseball Operations consultant in 2006, as manager of the Lowell Spinners from 2007-09, and as minor league infield coordinator in 2010.  He led the Spinners to back-to-back division titles in 2008 and 2009, with a franchise-record 45 wins in 2009.

Pitching Coach: Rich Sauveur returns for a sixth season as Pawtucket’s pitching coach after spending the previous five campaigns as a pitching coach in the Brewers system.  A left-handed pitcher, he spent parts of six seasons in the big leagues between 1986 and 2000.

Hitting Coach: Dave Joppie begins his first season as hitting coach for Pawtucket and his eighth season in the Red Sox farm system.  He previously served in the same capacity for Portland (2008-12), Lancaster (2007) and Wilmington (2006) after holding coaching and managerial positions in the Athletics system from 1995-2005.

Athletic Trainer: Jon Jochim enters his 10^th season as an athletic trainer in the Red Sox system and his fourth consecutive year in that role for the PawSox.  Previously, he served in that role for Portland (2009), Lancaster (2007-08), the GCL Red Sox (2006), and Lowell (2004-05).  He joined the Red Sox as an intern in the GCL in 2003 after serving as athletic trainer for the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team.

Portland (Double-A, Eastern League)

Manager: Kevin Boles enters his third season as manager of the Portland Sea Dogs after previously skippering Salem (2010) and Greenville (2008-09).  During the 2011-12 offseason, he also served as manager of the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League.  A catcher at the University of South Florida, he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 1998 June draft.

Pitching Coach: Bob Kipper returns as Portland’s pitching coach, a position he’s held since 2010, as well from 2003-04.  He also spent time as pitching coach in the Red Sox system for Greenville (2005-06, 2008-09), Lancaster (2007), Augusta (2000-01), and Lowell (1999), and was Boston’s bullpen coach in 2002.  A left-handed pitcher, he spent eight seasons in the Major Leagues from 1985-92.

Hitting Coach: Rich Gedman joins Portland after serving as hitting coach for Salem in 2012 and for Lowell in 2011.  He was manager of the independent Can-Am League’s Worcester Tornadoes for six seasons from 2005-10 and prior to that served as bench coach for the Can-Am League’s North Shore Spirit.  A two-time All-Star catcher with the Red Sox, Gedman played 13 Major League seasons from 1980-92, including parts of his first 11 campaigns in Boston. 

Athletic Trainer: Brandon Henry begins his second season as athletic trainer for Portland after spending 2010-11 as athletic trainer for Salem.  This marks his seventh season with the Red Sox organization, having also served as athletic trainer for Greenville (2009) and Lowell (2007-08). 

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

Salem (High-A, Carolina League)

Manager: Billy McMillon returns for his second season at the helm for Salem after piloting Greenville from 2010-11.  He made his coaching debut as hitting coach for the Drive from 2008-09.  The former outfielder spent parts of six seasons in the Major Leagues with the Florida Marlins (1996-97), Philadelphia Phillies (1997), Detroit Tigers (2000-01) and Oakland Athletics (2001-04).

Pitching Coach: Kevin Walker enters his third season as Salem’s pitching coach after serving in that capacity for Greenville in 2010 and for Lowell in 2009 in his professional coaching debut.  A left-handed pitcher, he made 122 Major League appearances between stints with the San Diego Padres (2000-03), San Francisco Giants (2004), and Chicago White Sox (2005).   

Hitting Coach: Nelson Paulino begins his first season with Salem after serving as hitting coach for Lowell in 2012.  This will be his 16^th consecutive season with the Red Sox since joining the organization in 1998.  He was previously with the DSL Red Sox as hitting coach (2001-02, 2008-11), bench coach (2007), and manager (2003-06).  A switch-hitting infielder, he played four years in the Braves farm system from 1991-94.

Athletic Trainer: David Herrera begins his sixth season in the Red Sox organization and his second as Salem’s athletic trainer.  He served in the same capacity for Greenville (2010-11), Lowell (2009), and the Gulf Coast League Red Sox (2008). 

Greenville (Single-A, South Atlantic League)

Manager: Carlos Febles begins his second season at the helm of Greenville after making his managerial debut with Lowell in 2011.  He previously held positions as hitting coach with Salem (2009-10) and the Lancaster JetHawks (2008) after making his coaching debut with the Spinners in 2007.  He spent six seasons as a second baseman for the Kansas City Royals from 1998-2003.

Pitching Coach: Paul Abbott takes over as Greenville’s pitching coach after spending his first two seasons in the Red Sox organization as Lowell’s pitching coach from 2011-12.  He began his coaching career with two seasons with the independent Golden League’s Orange County Flyers, as manager in 2010 and as pitching coach in 2009, and was also an assistant coach at Fullerton (CA) Junior College.  A right-handed pitcher, he spent parts of 11 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1990-2004.

Hitting Coach: Tim Hyers makes his coaching debut in the Red Sox organization after serving as the club's Area Scout for Georgia over the last four years (2009-12).  He was hitting coach at Single-A West Michigan in the Tigers minor league system in 2002, and played parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues with the Padres (1994-95), Tigers (1996), and Marlins (1999).

Athletic Trainer: Mackenzie Zabbo enters her fourth season with the Red Sox organization and her first as athletic trainer for Greenville after serving in the same capacity for Lowell in 2012.  She was assistant athletic trainer for Greenville in 2011 and was an intern with the GCL Red Sox in 2010.

Lowell (Short-A, New York-Penn League)

Manager: Bruce Crabbe enters his ninth year in the Red Sox organization, his 10^th campaign as a minor league manager, and his fourth season managing Lowell (2006, 2010, 2012).  He skippered Salem in 2011 and was Boston’s minor league infield coordinator from 2006-09.  His Red Sox tenure began as hitting coach for Wilmington in 2005 following seven years managing in the Rangers system from 1998-2004.  He played professionally in the Cubs, Blue Jays, and Braves organizations from 1984-92.

Pitching Coach: Walter Miranda returns to Lowell, where he also served as pitching coach from 2005-06 and in 2008.  He was a GCL Red Sox pitching coach over the last five seasons and from 2000-04, and he also held that position with Greenville in 2007.  Miranda joined the Red Sox organization in 1999 following a six-year playing career in the Florida Marlins system.

Hitting Coach: Noah Hall begins his first season with Lowell after making his coaching debut with the GCL Red Sox in 2012.  He spent parts of 13 seasons as an outfielder in the affiliated minor leagues from 1996-2009 and also played parts of five seasons in independent leagues (2001, 2007, 2009-11).

Athletic Trainer: TBA

Gulf Coast (Rookie, Gulf Coast League)

Manager: Darren Fenster will be in his first year as the GCL Red Sox manager after making his professional coaching debut as the hitting coach for Greenville in 2012.  He previously spent six seasons on the Rutgers University baseball staff, including three as an assistant coach (2009-11), and also served as an assistant coach for the Cape Cod Baseball League’s Orleans Cardinals in 2008. 

Pitching Coach: Dick Such begins his fifth season in the Red Sox system and his first as pitching coach for the GCL Red Sox after serving in the same capacity with Greenville (2011-12) and Salem (2009-10).  His previous experience includes parts of 17 years as Minnesota’s pitching coach from 1985-01, helping the Twins win two World Series, and parts of three seasons in the same role with the Texas Rangers from 1983-85.  A right-hander, he pitched in 21 career Major League games (five starts) for Washington in 1970 under manager Ted Williams.

Hitting Coach: U.L. Washington enters his eighth campaign as the GCL Red Sox hitting coach and his 11^th overall in Boston’s system.  A former shortstop who played 11 big league seasons with Kansas City (1977-84), Montreal (1985) and Pittsburgh (1986-87), he joined the Red Sox organization in 2003 as Triple-A Pawtucket’s hitting coach and was the Red Sox minor league infield coordinator in 2004-05.  His previous coaching experience includes stints in the Pirates (1989), Royals (1991-98) Dodgers (1999) and Twins (2001-02) systems.

Coach: Dave Tomlin enters his third season as a coach for the GCL Red Sox in 2013, his ninth straight year in the Boston system and his 13^th overall with the club.  He managed the GCL team for five seasons from 2006-10 and had stints as the team’s pitching coach in 1998 and 2005.  With the Red Sox organization, Tomlin has also served as pitching coach for Sarasota (1999) and Lowell (2000-01, 2004).  He also previously worked as a minor league instructor and coach in the Expos (1988-94) and Braves (1995-97) systems.  A left-handed pitcher, he made 409 appearances in the majors from 1972-85. 

Coach: Tom Kotchman returns to the Red Sox organization, where he managed at the Single-A level in Winter Haven from 1982-83.  He is a veteran of 34 years as a minor league manager and scout, including the last 29 seasons in the Angels system, and owns a 1,706-1,436 (.543) career record, also managing in the Tigers (1980-81) organization.  Kotchman served as the manager of the Angels’ Rookie-level affiliates in Provo and Orem, Utah for the last 12 years, reaching the Pioneer League playoffs 11 times and winning the league’s championship on four occasions.  He led his clubs to 19 playoff berths and eight league titles after joining the Angels system in 1984.  Prior to beginning his coaching career, Kotchman played two professional seasons in the Cincinnati organization from 1977-78.  His son, Casey, a first baseman, spent part of the 2009 season with Boston.

Athletic Trainer: Mauricio Elizondo is back with the GCL Red Sox, where he was previously an athletic training intern in 2008 and 2009.  He enters his sixth season overall in the Red Sox organization in 2013, after serving as the athletic trainer for Lowell from 2010-11 and for Greenville in 2012.

Dominican Summer (Rookie, Dominican Summer League)

Manager: Jose Zapata returns for his seventh season as both the Red Sox Latin American Field Coordinator and manager of the club’s DSL affiliate, which he has led to a winning record in each of his six seasons at the helm.  Zapata, who played professionally in Montreal’s minor league system from 1991-93, began his coaching career with eight seasons in the Expos organization.  He also previously served as a manager, coach and instructor in the Marlins system (2002-06).

Pitching Coach: Amaury Telemaco will be in his fourth year as a pitching coaching with the DSL Red Sox after making his coaching debut with the club in 2010.  A right-handed pitcher, he spent nine years in the majors with the Cubs (1996-98), Diamondbacks (1998-99) and Phillies (1999-2001, 2003-2005), and also pitched professionally in Korea.

Pitching Coach: Oscar Lira enters his second season as pitching coach for the DSL Red Sox after joining the staff as the club’s assistant pitching coach in 2011.  A right-hander, he pitched over six minor league seasons in the Montreal/Washington organization from 2001-06, and also pitched professionally in Italy, Venezuela and Curacao.

Coach: Junior Zamora begins his sixth season as a coach for the DSL Red Sox.  He made his professional coaching debut with the club in 2008 following a 13-year minor league career in the Mets, Angels, and Astros systems, and played one season in the independent Can-Am League in 2007.

Coach: Wilton Veras made his coaching debut with the DSL Red Sox in 2012.  A third baseman, he signed with Boston as an international free agent in 1995 and played parts of two Major League seasons for the Red Sox from 1999-2000.  Following a nine-year career in affiliated baseball, he also played in independent leagues (2004, 2006-07), as well as in Mexico (2004, 2008) and Taiwan (2008-2010).

Coach: Aly Gonzalez joins the staff full-time in 2013 after serving as a player/coach for the DSL Red Sox in 2012.  He played three season with Boston’s DSL club from 2009-11, appearing at catcher, first base, third base and in the outfield.   

Coaching Assistant: Claudio Sanchez returns for his eighth season as a coaching assistant on the DSL Red Sox staff.

Athletic Trainer: Guillermo Hinojosa returns for a fourth season as athletic trainer for the DSL Red Sox.  He served as an athletic trainer with Caracas Leones of the Venezuelan Baseball League from 2008-09, and has worked with national amateur teams in Venezuela since 2000.

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Antonio Diaz enters his 18^th consecutive season in the Red Sox organization in 2013, his sixth as strength and conditioning coach for the club’s DSL affiliate.  He served the previous 12 years as athletic trainer for all Red Sox Dominican Summer and assorted Winter League clubs.

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