While the UConn Huskies men’s basketball program may not be eligible for the 2013 NCAA Touranment at this time, it’s not stopping Connecticut native R.J. Evans from coming to Storrs, CT.

The Salem, CT native announced on Friday that he will attend and play at UConn after graduating from Holy Cross this May. 

“It’s every Connecticut kid’s dream to play at UConn. It’s a dream come true. I’m grateful and thank God. It’s a great opportunity and I’m going to make the best of it.”

Evans did play four season for the Crusaders but he injured his knee his junior year and earned a medical redshirt. He will be able to play right away for Jim Calhoun’s depleted Huskies squad.

Evans led the Crusaders with 15 points in their 77-40 loss to UConn on December 18, 2011.

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photo credit: Brad Horrigan – Hartford Courant

After reports came out yesterday that UConn Huskies freshman center Andre Drummond was going to jump ship and head to the NBA, he made the decision official on Friday.

Here’s the release from UConn:

STORRS, Conn. – University of Connecticut freshman Andre Drummond has announced that he will make himself available for the 2012 NBA Draft, foregoing his final three seasons of college eligibility.

“My family and I feel that this is the right time for me to take the next step in my basketball career,” Drummond said. “It has always been a goal of mine to compete against the world’s best players and that is one of the big factors for me in making this decision.

“Although I was only at UConn for one year, the experience I gained playing against the best competition at the college level greatly helped me prepare for what I will face as I pursue a career as a professional.”

Drummond (Middletown, Conn.), a 6-10 center, is expected to be a top five pick in the draft, which takes place on June 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

“Andre is a developing player with unlimited potential and his projected position in the draft is as good as almost any player I’ve ever had,” UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. “Very few players get such a tremendous opportunity, and he’s got to take advantage of it.”

Drummond, 18, did not decide to attend college until just before the first semester began, paid his own way, and therefore has been classified as a walk-on with the Huskies. He made quite an impact, however, playing in all 34 games, the last 30 as a starter, and averaging 28.4 minutes a contest.

Drummond averaged 10.0 points per game, while leading the team in rebounding at 7.6 per game, field goal percentage at .538, and blocked shots with 92. His 2.7 blocks per game ranked third in the BIG EAST Conference and 14th in the country. Drummond, who was selected to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team, had 10 double-doubles during the season, a record for a UConn freshman under Calhoun.

“I really appreciate the time and effort that Coach Calhoun and the whole coaching staff at UConn put in to help me improve my game,” Drummond said. “I also want to thank our tremendous Husky fans and my teammates. I have developed strong relationships at UConn that will be part of my life forever.”

Sophomore Jeremy Lamb, who declared his availability for the NBA Draft earlier this week, and Drummond become the 14th and 15th UConn players under Calhoun to leave school early to enter the draft. Of the 13 before Lamb and Drummond, all but one was drafted in the first round and 10 were lottery picks.

“Andre came here because he wanted to play for the state school and he showed a great deal of loyalty to our program and to the state itself,” Calhoun said. “Andre and his family have been great people to deal with. Naturally, we’re sad to see him go, but we wish him nothing but great successes in the future.”

Drummond was considered one of the top prospects in the country while leading St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn., to the 2011 Prep National Championship.

“I truly enjoyed my whole college experience and I hope to return in the future to earn my degree,” Drummond said. “As a kid from Connecticut, playing basketball at UConn in front of hometown fans for me was a dream come true.”

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photo credit: John Woike – Hartford Courant

After going 1-5 in their first six games, the Boston Red Sox return home to the friendly confines of historic Fenway Park for the first game of a four-game set with their AL East rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays.

First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Rays television market, you can catch the game on Sun Sports.  If you don’t live in either market, you’re in luck as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game as well. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

After getting roughed up in his first start, Josh Beckett looks to right the ship in the home opener for the Red Sox. This will be Beckett’s fifth home opening day start with the Red Sox (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010). On the season, Beckett is 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA (7 ER/4.2 IP). He made three starts against the Rays in 2011 and was 2-0 with a 0.78 ERA (2 ER/23 IP). Beckett has had good success against the Rays in his career as he is 9-4 with a 2.94 in 19 career starts.

David Price gets the ball for Joe Maddon’s Rays squad. Price picked up the win in his first start which came against the New York Yankees after allowing two runs in 6.1 innings on April 7th. Price made five starts against the Red Sox in 2011 and was 3-1 with a 2.93 ERA.  Overall in his career, he’s made 10 starts against the boys from Beantown and is 6-3 with a 3.16 ERA. Four of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 3-0 with a 1.75 ERA.

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the overnight and day if you’re on the home page.

Here are today’s lineups:

4-2		1-5
1. Desmond Jennings	CF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Carlos Pena	1B	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Evan Longoria	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Matt Joyce	LF	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Ben Zobrist	RF	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Jeff Keppinger	2B	6. Darnell McDonald	LF
7. Stephen Vogt	DH	7. Cody Ross	RF
8. Jose Molina	C	8. Mike Aviles	SS
9. Reid Brignac	SS	9. Kelly Shoppach	C
David Price	SP	Josh Beckett	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

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

Beckett excited to be in the driver’s seat [Boston Globe]

Can we home in on any hope here? [Boston Globe]

He’s adjusting to changeup [Boston Globe]

Pedroia will be all ears [Boston Globe]

As Red Sox sputter early, sellout streak in jeopardy [Boston Globe]

GREEN MONSTERS FOR ALL [Boston Globe]

The Fenway Years: Pedro Martinez (1998-2004) [Boston Herald]

It’s a matter of trust [Boston Herald]

Josh Beckett not worried by greeting [Boston Herald]

First baseball game at Fenway:  Casey at the bat (and on the mound) [Boston Herald]

Red Sox officially open Fenway, work overtime to beat NY [Boston Herald]

Open wounds hard to close [Boston Herald]

Fenway Park’s Greatest Moments not just from Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Fans find their ‘happy place’ on Yawkey Way [Boston Herald]

Red Sox at Fenway: Our Top 10 List [Boston Herald]

Bobby V says he’s “still holding my breath that Josh is fine” but believes thumb a “moot point” [Clubhouse Insider]

Elbow setback means Carl Crawford return ‘will have to wait a little longer’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Bailey ready to begin rehab, hopes to contribute [Clubhouse Insider]

Pregame notes: Talking Shop(pach); almost Miller’s time [Clubhouse Insider]

On second thought . . . Beckett usually strong after opener [Clubhouse Insider]

Francona regrets controversy over anniversary snub [CSN New England]

‘3 up, 3 down’ [CSN New England]

Sports Tonight: How will fans greet Sox today? [CSN New England]

Elbow strain the latest setback for Crawford [CSN New England]

Video: Time to panic yet? [ESPN Boston]

Our 100 Greatest Red Sox Players [ESPN Boston]

Video: Edes on Red Sox struggles [ESPN Boston]

Somewhere, is Tito smiling at 1-5 start? [ESPN Boston]

Video: As old as Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Catching up: Bobby V interview [ESPN Boston]

Video: State of the Nation with Gordon Edes [ESPN Boston]

What to watch for from Beckett today [ESPN Boston]

Luke Scott: Fenway Park is ‘a dump’ [ESPN Boston]

Last 14 home openers, Sox average 8.3 runs [ESPN Boston]

Bailey: ‘Everything going well as can be’ [ESPN Boston]

Shoppach gets the nod vs. former club [ESPN Boston]

Setback for Crawford, this time with elbow [ESPN Boston]

Schill: ‘Massive’ concern if Josh struggles [ESPN Boston]

Did Schill’s invite get lost in the mail? [ESPN Boston]

A hearty welcome to you, Luke Scott [Extra Bases]

Carl Crawford says he has strained left elbow [Extra Bases]

Henry hoping for some better news [Extra Bases]

Luke Scott on Fenway: ‘Get a new park’ [Extra Bases]

Rob Bradford talks with Seth Everett about all things Red Sox [Full Count]

Nuggetpalooza: Red Sox nuggets from Toronto [Full Count]

Friday morning with Bobby Valentine: Excitement for opener, bated breath for Beckett [Full Count]

Credibility on the line for Red Sox now [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

Bobby Valentine, Joe Maddon Share Quirky Personalities But Have Different Styles [NESN.com]

Luke Scott Continues to Endear Himself to Red Sox Fans, Calls Fenway Park ‘A Dump’ [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett Could Benefit From Strong Outing in Red Sox’ Home Opener for Many Reasons [NESN.com]

Fenway Park Turns 100, Celebrating a Century in Boston (Photos) [NESN.com]

‘Red Sox Small Talk’ to Kick Off Summer-Long Schedule With Kevin Youkilis [NESN.com]

Send Bobby Valentine Questions to Answer on ‘The Bobby Valentine Show’ [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Could Be In Position To Return to 12-Pitcher Roster, Promote Utility Man [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedroia’s contract will limit his free-agent payday [Projo Sox Blog]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Rays and Revenge [Projo Sox Blog]

Pitching staff might drop from 13 to 12 by Saturday [Projo Sox Blog]

Crawford dealing with elbow strain [Projo Sox Blog]

Rays’ Zobrist on Red Sox slow start: “If I was them, I wouldn’t think too much about it” [Projo Sox Blog]

Wakefield and Varitek throw out first pitches; some boos for Beckett and Valentine [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox return to Fenway, but will they hear cheers or boos? [Providence Journal]

Pedroia may just be Boston’s best bargain [Providence Journal]

Beckett, Red Sox hope return to Fens turns tides [RedSox.com]

Beckett, Red Sox hope to win back trust of fans [RedSox.com]

How (and why) the 2012 Red Sox were built this way [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Five Things Nobody Wants To See At The Home Opener [Surviving Grady]

Will Red Sox hear boos at home opener? [Touching All The Bases]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

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.

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

UConn Football links

More NFL draft fun: Jones, Reyes, Wolfe [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn Responds To Claim Program Aide Mike Cerullo Was A Whistleblower In NFL Saints Case [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Unrelated To Bountygate Sources Confirm Mike Cerullo Has Left UConn For Another Gig [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

WTIC Radio To Broadcast Spring Football Game [UConnHuskies.com]

Former UConn Football Aide Cited In Saints Bounty Case [Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Five former UConn stars to take part in U.S. training camp [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Dom answered a question in his mailbag [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Drummond’s exit leaves UConn frontcourt thin [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

A Look Back at Andre Drummond’s Career [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Will Lamb and Drummond make it in the NBA? [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn’s Andre Drummond going pro [CT Post]

Andre Drummond Leaving UConn To Enter NBA Draft [Hartford Courant]

Andre The Unready: UConn Might Have Been Better Off Passing On Drummond [Hartford Courant]

Andre Drummond to turn pro [New Haven Register]

Drummond is the next one to go [The Day]

Andre Drummond: D-12 or Kwame Brown? [Chad Ford – ESPN Insider]

Other UConn related links

W. Track. Huskies Travel To Sea Ray Relays [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Club. Driscoll To Receive Pappanikou Award From The UConn Club [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Schneider Named AHA Player of the Month [UConnHuskies.com]

Softball. Softball To Host USF [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Track. Huskies To Host Third Annual Dog Fight [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Track. Flowers Captures First Place In The Hammer [UConnHuskies.com]

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

As you’ve already heard by now, UConn Huskies freshman Andre Drummond is planning to leave Storrs after one season to head to the NBA. He becomes the first member of the UConn men’s basketball program to leave after one season in Storrs.

He’ll join his teammate Jeremy Lamb who declared his intentions to head to the NBA a few days ago. With the loss of both Lamb and Drummond along with the transfer of Alex Oriakhi, the Huskies are going to be a little thin in the frontcourt.

The big question though is how Drummond will do in the NBA.

He definitely has the potential to be a star in the NBA like Dwight Howard or he could turn out to be like Hasheem Thabeet.

Right now, Drummond is a raw prospect. The talent is there defensively but offensively he still has a lot to learn. Obviously one of those things he needs to work on is his free throw shooting.

He may have been better served by staying one more year under the tutelage of Jim Calhoun but the allure of NBA money is hard to pass up. If Drummond can get into the right system in the NBA and get some good teaching from the right people, he could take the NBA by storm.

As much as I liked Thabeet when he was at UConn and still do, I only hope that Drummond doesn’t end up riding the pine in the NBA.

Something tells me that will not happen with him.

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

Photo credit: AP Photo

“Sunday MLB on TBS” continues on April 15 with an American League East match-up featuring Dustin Pedroia and the Boston Red Sox hosting Evan Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:30 p.m. ET at historic Fenway Park. Felix Doubront is scheduled to start for the Red Sox against Rays probable starter Matt Moore. Calling the action will be Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) and John Smoltz (analyst).

TBS is the exclusive home of the 2012 MLB All-Star Selection Show airing Sunday, July 1. In October, the network will once again provide exclusive coverage of all four MLB Division Series (DS) and the American League Championship Series (ALCS). The network will announce future games on its schedule coinciding with its selection windows. The games included in the TBS MLB package will not be televised in the team’s home television territory.

TBS has broadcast MLB games for more than 30 years, serving as the exclusive home of the MLB Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007 and home of Atlanta Braves coverage from 1977 to 2007.

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

0-6 to start 2011. 1-5 to start 2012.

One year removed from one of the worst starts in franchise history, the Boston Red Sox are pretty much in the same position as last year. But this year things are different.

There’s a new general manager, there’s a new manager, some new coaches, there’s no more Jason Varitek or Tim Wakefield and there’s some new players. The core is the same though, so what’s the big deal.

Well right now, it’s the offense.

Just when it looked as though they had broken out of the funk in the 13-12 loss on Sunday and despite winning 4-2 on Monday, the offense is back to where it was the first two games. It’s being dominated by good pitching.

This team is too talented to be dominated like it has been.

On Wednesday, they faced a pitcher in Ricky Romero that they’ve dominated in the past. But it’s a new year and he obviously figured a few things out.

The Red Sox managed to get their three hits in the 3rd inning when they scored the only run of the game. They did get two walks from him in the 9th but Sergio Santos redeemed himself from his blown save on Monday night by taking care of business this time around.

Last year, Jon Lester got about six runs or so a game. In his two starts now, he’s gotten a grand total of two runs scored for him. He didn’t pitch all that badly either. He was mixing in all of his pitches and after he gave up two runs in the 3rd, settled down.

But with Romero dominating after that 3rd inning until the two walks in the 9th, it wouldn’t matter what Lester did the rest of the game.

Last year when this start happened, the Red Sox looked lost. That’s definitely not the case. Other than the 10-3 loss where they showed little to no fight, they’ve been in every game. They aren’t just sitting back and letting the teams beat them. They are out there doing their best.

Unfortunately, their best isn’t good enough right now. Hopefully some home cooking will spark things like it did last year.

The Red Sox are off today as they prepare for their home opener on Friday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays. We’ll be back in a little bit with the pitching matchups for the series so for now, let’s take at look at the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Things don’t go Sox’ way [Boston Globe]

More tough luck for Lester [Boston Globe]

In this situation, they aren’t helpless [Boston Globe]

Look out! Red Sox coming home 1-5 [Boston Herald]

Borrow from Morrow [Boston Herald]

Intimidation factor gone [Boston Herald]

Adrian Gonzalez frustrated by failings [Boston Herald]

A week of reminders regarding the future of Dustin Pedroia [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Tom Caron Discusses the Red Sox’ Lackluster Start, Hopes For Strong Home-Opener [Tom Caron – NESN.com]

Lester gem once again ends in defeat [CSN New England]

Examining the Francona-Red Sox ‘crapstorm’ [CSN New England]

Lester: We’re leaving everything on the field [CSN New England]

Red Sox continue to struggle offensively [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Jays 3, Red Sox 1 [ESPN Boston]

Surprise, speed led to Davis steal in 8th [ESPN Boston]

Sox invite Grady Little … no reply so far [ESPN Boston]

Will Fenway Park faithful welcome back Boston Red Sox with open arms? [ESPN Boston]

Jonathan Papelbon has found his new song [Full Count]

Closing Time: Red Sox head back to Fenway Park with just one win [Full Count]

How does this horrific Red Sox start compare to last year’s horrific Red Sox start? [Full Count]

Red Sox Offense Sputtering Early In Games, But Could Benefit From Upcoming Home Stretch [NESN.com]

Kevin Youkilis Looking Beyond Struggles, Excited to Get Home to Fenway (Video) [NESN.com]

Fans Are the Only Ones Who Can Guarantee There’s No Place Like Home as Hopeful Red Sox Return to Fenway [NESN.com]

Another poor return: Red Sox lose again in Toronto, come home at 1-5 [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Offense continues to struggle, especially early in games [Providence Journal]

Lester’s fine effort goes unrewarded in finale [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.

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