Author Archives: ianbethune

Paw Prints: The Daily UConn Huskies Roundup – 11/28/14

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.

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

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Video: Morgan Tuck’s Presence on Court Should Help Breanna Stewart [sox & dawgs]

Video: UConn’s Kia Nurse Bounced Back Nicely Against Creighton [sox & dawgs]

UConn’s Tuck making progress on journey to full health [ct post]

Auriemma Sees Early Games As A Test Drive For Players [hartford courant]

High Expectations For UConn Freshman Gabby Williams [hartford courant]

UConn women playing three games in Gulf Coast Showcase [new haven register]

Williams, Huskies set for Gulf Coast Showcase [sny uconn]

Watch: UConn Huskies All Access [sny uconn]

UConn favored in Gulf Coast Showcase, but coach is wary [the news-press]

UConn women’s basketball still going strong [the news-press]

UConn women come into loaded Gulf Coast Showcase at Germain Arena [naples daily news]

UConn Football links

UConn football player deserved better from Diaco [ct post]

UConn Losses, On Field, On Roster, Keep On Mounting [hartford courant]

Let’s See What Boyle Can Do For Two Full Games [hartford courant]

Davis Struggling With Lack of Playing Time For UConn Football [hartford courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Rick Barnes ruminates on UConn, Kevin Ollie [david borges – new haven register]

No X-rays for Purvis, UConn guard probable for Texas game [william paxton – ct post]

UConn’s Purvis Probable For Texas Game; No Update On Suspended Players [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

W. Ice Hockey. Huskies Host Loaded Field For 2014 Nutmeg Classic [uconn huskies]

W. Volleyball. Huskies Win Five-Set Thriller Against Houston on Wednesday [uconn huskies]

M. Golf. UConn Men’s Golf Inks Three [uconn huskies]

M. Ice Hockey. UConn Men’s Hockey Team Embraces The Goal Of Giving [hartford courant]

Video: UConn’s Kia Nurse Bounced Back Nicely Against Creighton

UConn Huskies women’s basketball freshman Kia Nurse didn’t exactly play her best game in the loss to the Stanford Cardinal last Monday.

She played just 20 minutes and had nine points but fouled out of the game at an important stretch in the second half. Was her fouling out the difference?

Probably not.

The key though would be in how would she bounce back in the next game. It’s obviously a little different at UConn where the expectations, in ways, are totally different. And let’s not forget, she’s just a freshman

Having played for various Canadian National Teams, including the Senior Women’s Team, she’s faced adversity before and came back from that.

Well there were no worries of a letdown again last Sunday when the Huskies played the Creighton Bluejays. Nurse responded from her poor performance against Stanford with 22 points, including going 4-for-4 on three-pointers.

Just as Morgan Tuck playing well is valuable to Breanna Stewart. The same can be said for Nurse, not only offensively, but defensively.

While UConn won’t need 22 points from her on a nightly basis, they’ll need her to be consistent.

Hopefully the Creighton game was the first step to getting her back on track.

Watch and/or listen below UConn Women’s Basketball head coach Geno Auriemma, Stewart and Nurse talk about Nurse bouncing back.

photo credit: ian bethune

Video: Morgan Tuck’s Presence on Court Should Help Breanna Stewart

When the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team lost to the Stanford Cardinal last week, it was evident that the team was relying on their All-American Breanna Stewart to get things done by herself and lead the team to a win.

That’s been the case in the past as we’ve seen previous UConn women’s teams do this when superstars Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore were on the team.

Last Sunday against the Creighton Bluejays, things came a little easier for Stewart. Sure the Bluejays weren’t the Cardinal or the Notre Dame Fighting Irish or any one of the top women’s teams who could possibly slow down Stewart.

But with Morgan Tuck on the court, making shots from the outside as well as the inside, things opened up on the floor for Stewart which made it easier for her to move around and shoot.

If this can continue going forward, it should be an easier road for the Huskies especially with some more big games coming up in the very near future.

Watch and/or listen below as UConn Women’s Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma along with Stewart and Tuck talk about what Tuck can do for Stewart when the pair is on the floor together.

photo credit: ian bethune

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Huskies Roundup – 11/26/14

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

Video: UConn Football Coach Bob Diaco on Incoming QB Recruit Tyler Davis [sox & dawgs]

Breaking Bread with Bob – 11/25/14 [sox & dawgs]

UConn Huskies Depth Chart For Memphis Tigers [sox & dawgs]

UConn’s Diaco: “I am going to get it done” [jim fuller – new haven register]

Tuesday presser: What will future offense look like? [john silver – sny uconn]

UConn Notes: Diaco Still Looking For That Good Road Game [hartford courant]

Optimistic Bob Diaco forced to deal with reality at UConn [new haven register]

Despite UConn’s woes, Adams looks forward to each chance [the day]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Stewart, KML Named 2014-15 ‘Wade Watch’ Candidates [sox & dawgs]

Tuck’s ‘role’ call — contributor and leader [sox & dawgs]

Mosqueda-Lewis Back At Practice [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn Begins Play at the Gulf Coast Showcase on Friday Night [uconn huskies]

UConn Women’s Insider: Huskies Seek Perfect Host For Next Thanksgiving [hartford courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn Men’s Insider: West Virginia Hit Huskies’ Target, Now What? [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

M. Ice Hockey. UConn Travels to Brown Saturday Afternoon [uconn huskies]

UConn Club. From The Crowd: Football vs. Cincinnati [uconn huskies]

W. Track. Former UConn Standout Highsmith Honored by East Haven High School [uconn huskies]

W. Volleyball. Volleyball Hosts Houston at 2 p.m. on Wednesday [uconn huskies]

M & W. Swimming. UConn Adds Matt Donovan To Coaching Staff [uconn huskies]

Video: UConn Football Coach Bob Diaco on Incoming QB Recruit Tyler Davis

With incoming QB recruit Tyler Davis’ National Letter of Intent signed, sealed and delivered, UConn Huskies football coach Bob Diaco could finally offer up comments on him.

Davis led his Mepham High School (NY) team to a 6-3 record this year. He was 64-of-105 for 958 yards and 13 touchdowns. He threw four interceptions. He ran 192 times for 1,462 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Davis will enroll in January at UConn and be able to go through spring practice with the team.

Watch and/or listen below to Diaco talk about what Davis brings to the school and the team.

College Football Playoff Rankings Week 5 (Nov. 25)

The College Football Playoff Committee has released their rankings for the fifth week of the poll and we find the Alabama Crimson Tide on top for the second straight week.

In fact, there were no changes to the top seven of the poll.

The Crimson Tide are followed by the Oregon Ducks, Florida State Seminoles and Mississippi State Bulldogs in the top four. The TCU Horned Frogs remain on the outside looking in at No. 5.

As we’ve come to expect, there are no teams ranked from the American Athletic Conference.

College Football Playoff Rankings (Nov. 25)
RK	TEAM	REC	PREV
1	Alabama	10-1	1
2	Oregon	10-1	2
3	Florida State	11-0	3
4	Mississippi State	10-1	4
5	TCU	9-1	5
6	Ohio State	10-1	6
7	Baylor	9-1	7
8	UCLA	9-2	9
9	Georgia	9-2	10
10	Michigan State	9-2	11
11	Arizona	9-2	15
12	Kansas State	8-2	12
13	Arizona State	9-2	13
14	Wisconsin	9-2	16
15	Auburn	8-3	14
16	Georgia Tech	9-2	18
17	Missouri	9-2	20
18	Minnesota	8-3	25
19	Ole Miss	8-3	8
20	Oklahoma	8-3	21
21	Clemson	8-3	22
22	Louisville	8-3	24
23	Boise State	9-2	NR
24	Marshall	11-0	NR
25	Utah	7-4	17
Dropped from rankings:
USC 19, Nebraska 23

Wolf Pack Announce Roster Moves

HARTFORD, November 25, 2014: Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld today announced three Wolf Pack roster transactions.

The Wolf Pack has recalled defenseman Steve Spinell from its ECHL affiliate, the Greenville Road Warriors, and has released blueliner Bretton Stamler from his Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement. Additionally, the parent New York Rangers have reassigned forward Chris McCarthy from the Wolf Pack to Greenville.

Spinell, a second-year pro out of Miami University, has played in 12 games with the Wolf Pack this season, going scoreless with 15 penalty minutes and seven shots on goal. Since being assigned to the Road Warriors November 13, Spinell has posted 1-1-2, 13 PIM and a +1 in six ECHL contests.

Stamler has suited up for seven games with the Wolf Pack since signing his PTO November 2, and is scoreless with four penalty minutes and four shots on goal. McCarthy has one goal and six PIM in five games with the Wolf Pack this season, and has struck for 2-4-6 in eight games with the Road Warriors.

The next action for the Wolf Pack is a trip to Albany tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 26, to battle the Devils. That game faces off at 7:00, and all of the action 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 Friday, November 28, with the Norfolk Admirals visiting the XL Center for a 7:00 game. Once again this season, every Friday night home game features $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, and November 28 is also “Flashback Friday”, with the Wolf Pack wearing “throwback”, 1997-98-era jerseys. Plus, there will be “Black Friday” giveaways of some of the holiday season’s hot gift items, and Wolf Pack merchandise and ticket specials.

Tickets for all 2014-15 Wolf Pack home games are now on sale at the XL Center ticket office, 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 Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.

Video: Red Sox Introduce Hanley Ramirez

In case you missed it like myself, here is the video for the press conference of the Boston Red Sox announcing the signing of free agent left fielder Hanley Ramirez to a four-year contract worth $88 millon.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Red Sox, Ramirez Agree To Four-Year Deal; DFA Francisco

A happy Hanley Ramirez answers a question yesterday during his press conference at Fenway Park.

As we learned on Sunday, the Boston Red Sox and former Red Sox farmhand Hanley Ramirez have agreed to a four-year deal.

The deal is worth $88 million over the four years with a vesting option for a fifth year at $22 million.

Here’s the release from the Red Sox:

BOSTON, MA-The Boston Red Sox today agreed with left fielder Hanley Ramirez on a four-year contract through the 2018 season. To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder Juan Francisco was designated for assignment. Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.

A three-time National League All-Star, Ramirez, 30, hit .283 with 35 doubles, 13 home runs, 71 RBI, 56 walks, and 14 stolen bases in 128 games for the division-champion Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014 as the club’s primary shortstop. He hit .321 with runners in scoring position, eighth best in the National League, and ranked 10^th in the NL in both on-base percentage (.369) and RBI ratio (6.3 AB/RBI).

Ramirez, who will wear No. 13, is the only major leaguer with at least 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in each of the last nine seasons beginning in 2006, his first full big league campaign.

Following a mid-August stint on the disabled list in 2014, the right-handed batter hit .305 in his final 28 regular season games, including a .440 average (22-for-50) over his last 16 contests.

Over the last two seasons, he ranked sixth in the National League with a .306 average, 11^th with a .382 on-base percentage, and sixth in slugging (.525). His .907 OPS in that time ranked ninth in the majors and fifth in the NL behind only Troy Tulowitzki (.974), Paul Goldschmidt (.946), Andrew McCutchen (.931), and Michael Cuddyer (.907).

Originally signed by the Red Sox as an international free agent in 2000, the Dominican native made his big league debut in 2005. The following offseason, nine years ago yesterday, he was traded to the Florida Marlins as part of a seven-player deal that brought Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett to Boston.

Ramirez joins Miguel Cabrera, Matt Holliday, and Albert Pujols as the only active major leaguers with at least a .300 batting average and a .500 slugging percentage in 5,000 or more plate appearances.

In 2006, his first season with the Marlins, Ramirez hit .292 with 17 home runs and 51 stolen bases and was named NL Rookie of the Year. He hit at least 20 homers over each of the next four seasons, earning All-Star Game starts in three consecutive years from 2008-10.

He was named to the NL’s Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Team both in 2008, when he led the majors with 125 runs scored, and in 2009, when he topped the NL with a .342 batting average and finished second in NL Most Valuable Player voting.

Acquired by the Dodgers in July 2012, Ramirez has hit .356 (16-for-45) with seven extra-base hits and nine RBI in 13 career postseason games, all during the last two seasons.

In 1,223 career games over parts of 10 major league seasons with the Red Sox (2005), Marlins (2006-12), and Dodgers (2012-14), he has hit .300 with a .373 on-base percentage, .500 slugging percentage, 822 runs scored, 303 doubles, 30 triples, 191 home runs, 654 RBI, 506 walks, and 261 stolen bases in 1,223 games. Primarily a shortstop, Ramirez has also played 98 games at third base, all in 2012.

He played for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic in both 2009 and 2013, when the Dominican team won all eight games en route to the WBC title.

Francisco, 27, had been claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. The left-handed batter played 106 major league games in 2014, all for Toronto, and hit .220 (63-for-287) with 16 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, and 43 RBI. Over his major league career, the Dominican native has played 197 games at third base (161 starts) and 87 games (77 starts) at first base, hitting .236 (235-for-996) with 50 doubles, four triples, 48 home runs, and 152 RBI in 404 games for the Cincinnati Reds (2009-11), Atlanta Braves (2012-13), Milwaukee Brewers (2013), and Blue Jays (2014).

photo credit: matt stone – boston herald

Wolf Pack Sign Defenseman Henrik Tallinder to PTO

HARTFORD, November 25, 2014: Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the parent New York Rangers have signed defenseman Henrik Tallinder to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement.

Tallinder, 35, has skated in 678 NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils in a thirteen-year North American pro career. Last season the 6-4, 209-pound Stockholm, Sweden native suited up in 64 games for Buffalo, contributing two goals and six assists for eight points and logging 34 penalty minutes.

Tallinder has totaled 28 goals and 114 assists for 142 points, plus 378 penalty minutes, in his 678-game NHL career, and has also skated in two Winter Olympics (2010 and 2014) for Team Sweden, winning a Silver Medal in 2014. His only previous AHL experience was with the 2001-02 Rochester Americans, with whom he registered six goals and 14 assists for 20 points, along with 26 PIM, in 73 games.

A second-round selection (48th overall) by Buffalo in the 1997 NHL Draft, Tallinder has also skated in 165 career games in the Swedish Elite League with AIK and Linkopings HC, registering six goals and 12 assists for 18 points and serving 178 PIM.

The next action for the Wolf Pack is a trip to Albany this Wednesday, November 26 to battle the Devils. That game faces off at 7:00, and all of the action 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.