NEW YORK – With six returning players, including two starters, from last year’s NCAA Championship team, UConn has been tabbed as the favorite to win the 2015 American Athletic Conference men’s basketball title in the conference’s preseason coaches’ poll.

UConn senior guard Ryan Boatright, the top returning scorer from the national championship team, was chosen as the American Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year. UConn freshman Daniel Hamilton was named The American’s Preseason Rookie of the Year.

The Huskies edged SMU as the preseason favorite with 96 points in the balloting of the coaches, who could not vote for their own teams. UConn received six first-place votes, while the Mustangs claimed the other five.

UConn won its fourth NCAA title last season, becoming one of just six schools with at least four national championships (joining UCLA, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina and Duke). The Huskies, who went 32-8 overall and 12-6 in the American Athletic Conference, improved to 8-1 all-time in the Final Four, with the .889 winning percentage standing as the best in tournament history. Head coach Kevin Ollie, who won the national title in his second year in Storrs, will look to two returning starters in his bid to repeat. Boatright was an NCAA Final Four all-tournament selection last year who averaged 12.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 2013-14, while sophomore Amida Brimah started 17 games last year and averaged 4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. In addition to his selection as Preseason Player of the Year, Boatright was a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-Conference First Team, while Brimah was tabbed for the Second Team.

SMU, which had 94 points in the preseason poll, went 27-10 in its second year under Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown as the Mustangs reached the championship game of the National Invitation Tournament. Brown welcomes three starters back to the fold this season, including guard Nic Moore (13.6 ppg, 4.9 apg) and forward Markus Kennedy (12.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg), who were both unanimous Preseason All-Conference selections.

Memphis was third in the preseason poll with 82 points. The Tigers went 24-10 overall and 12-6 in The American last season and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Championship. Coach Josh Pastner has two starters returning from that team as Preseason All-Conference forwards Shaq Goodwin (11.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Austin Nichols (9.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) lead the way. Goodwin was a Second-Team All-Conference selection last year, while Nichols was The American’s Rookie of the Year.

Cincinnati was fourth in the preseason poll with 71 points. The Bearcats, who tied for the American Athletic Conference regular-season title last year, look for their fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance, but will do so without All-America guard Sean Kilpatrick, who is one of three starters lost from last year. Head coach Mick Cronin will rely on forward Shaquille Thomas, who averaged 6.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last year and is the top returning scorer.

Tulsa was picked fifth in the preseason poll with 62 points. The Golden Hurricane returns four starters from last year’s squad which won a share of the Conference USA regular-season title and won the league’s tournament title. Tulsa fell to UCLA in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Hurricane looks to guard James Woodard, who averaged 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last year, to lead the way for new head coach Frank Haith. Woodard was chosen to The American’s Preseason All-Conference First Team.

Temple was tabbed sixth in the preseason poll with 59 points. The Owls struggled through a 9-22 season in 2013-14, but head coach Fran Dunphy has three returning starters, including a pair of double-figure scorers. Guard Will Cummings (16.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and forward Quenton DeCosey (15.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg) were both named to the Preseason All-Conference Second Team.

Houston was seventh in the preseason poll with 39 points. The Cougars went 17-16 last season and reached the semifinal round of the American Athletic Conference Championship, but will have a new look in 2014-15. Head coach Kelvin Sampson – the former Indiana and Oklahoma coach – has seven newcomers in the fold to join five returning players. Guard L.J. Rose, who led The American in assists last season (5.5 apg), is the top returning player.

USF was eighth in the poll. The Bulls were 12-20 last season, and first-year head coach Orlando Antigua has just three players with Division I playing experience on his roster. Guard Anthony Collins was chosen to the Preseason All-Conference Second Team as he looks for a successful return from a knee injury that limited him to eight games last season.

UCF was picked ninth in the preseason poll. The Knights, who reached the quarterfinal round of the American Athletic Conference Championship and battled top-seeded Cincinnati to a three-point game, return two starters from last year’s team. Senior forward Kasey Wilson (9.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg) will provide veteran leadership

East Carolina was 10th in the preseason poll. The Pirates finished last season at 17-17 and reached the CollegeInsider.com Tournament for the second straight year. Head coach Jeff Lebo has four starters returning from last year, including forward Caleb White, who averaged 12.4 points per game.

Tulane was 11th in the poll. The Green Wave has four starters returning from last year’s team, which went 17-17 overall and 8-8 in Conference USA and played in the College Basketball Invitational. Tulane returns its top six scorers from last year and is the only team in The American to return three double-figure scorers. Guard Louis Dabney leads the contingent with 15.2 points per game.

The 2014-15 season begins Nov. 14, while conference play begins with five league games on New Year’s Eve. Seven of the 11 teams in The American this year played in the 2014 postseason, while the 2014-15 season will be the second straight year in which the conference has the previous season’s NCAA champion in its ranks.

The 2015 American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship will take place March 12-15 at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.

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.

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UConn Football links

Breaking Bread With Bob – 10/28/14 [sox & dawgs]

UConn Huskies Depth Chart For Central Florida Knights [sox & dawgs]

UConn’s Byron Jones still a leader even after his college career is over [jim fuller – new haven register]

Tuesday presser: Young corners on an island [john silver – sny uconn]

Secondary a main concern for Huskies [ct post]

UCF’s Receivers Could Make Jones’ Absence Stand Out At Rent [hartford courant]

John Green, UConn secondary has to pick up slack [new haven register]

Injuries have forced UConn’s secondary to get even younger [the day]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Nurse’s competitive spirit all in the family [carl adamec – sny uconn]

Things You Might Like To Know About Breanna Stewart [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Contract signed for homecoming game for UConn’s Stewart [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Some video, notes and quotes from UConn’s practice today [david borges – new haven register]

Omar Calhoun has sprained MCL, out at least a week [david borges – new haven register]

Ollie, Huskies head to New York for AAC media [william paxton – ct post]

Hornets, Kemba Walker agree on 4-year, $48 million contract extension [charlotte observer]

Bet On UConn, Ryan Boatright To Take Center Stage At AAC Media Day [hartford courant]

Defending champs UConn must replace Napier [ap]

Other UConn related links

M. Soccer. Video: UConn Men’s Soccer Nick Zuniga Flip Throw-In [sox & dawgs]

M. Soccer. Beso Marco’s Overtime Game-Winner Propels UConn Past Yale, 1-0 [uconn huskies]

M. Swimming. Magin Named Conference Male Swimmer Of The Week [uconn huskies]

W. Swimming. Pigot Tabbed As Conference Female Swimmer Of The Week [uconn huskies]

UConn Got What It Deserved, But They Should Throw Book At UNC [hartford courant]

UConn Huskies head football coach Bob Diaco held his weekly pregame press conference on Tuesday afternoon in anticipation of Saturday’s Homecoming Game against the Central Florida Knights and talked about a myriad of things.

He got things started by closing out the East Carolina game saying that they were well coached and a class act. The coaching staff and team as whole were upset with the results.

He stated that ECU came up with more big plays. They want it to be a four quarter fight to the end. He said again that UConn doesn’t do moral victories and that the team sees the improvement.

He and the team are excited it’s a game week as it’s a great opportunity against a veteran team that was in a BCS Bowl game that beat Baylor.

I asked him about the improvement of the offensive line from the start of the season until know and he’s very pleased with results. He said Andreas Knappe and Richard Levy have shown great improvement and continue to do so. He said all of the offensive line is gelling well together.

He said the UCF defense is mostly fourth and fifth year juniors and seniors as well as a couple of third year players. Basically an older, veteran defense. He said they are well coached, don’t miss tackles. He said Clayton Geathers leads a veteran defensive secondary.

He stated that UCF LB Terrance Plummer is their heart and sole on defense. He said Demetrius Anderson and Jaryl Mamea have been tough up front all year for Central Florida.

He said that the young cornerbacks have been coming on and will have to step it up with Byron Jones done for the year. He said Javon Hadley is a trained corner who is very competitive and shown great toughness. He said that freshman Brice McAllister will like he’s never played cornerback before but will be an elite cornerback as Diaco feels that’s his most natural position. He is a work in progress and his knowledge of the defense is remedial at best. He said Jhavon Williams played all 104 plays on Thursday night.

He said the game changed with Byron Jones went out.

He stated that Arkeel Newsome wasn’t disciplined for his non-football injury. He tweaked his lower leg on campus but is now 100%. He didn’t practice all week and wasn’t mentally ready because of that.

He said that Ron Johnson has improved his pass protection. He’s a big bodied runner with good vision and is hard to tackle.

Diaco said he’s pleased with all four running backs. But with no separation of the four with Max DeLorenzo starting as well Joshua Marriner, he went with the tandom with Newsome and Johnson who had been producing a little more. He said Arkeel and RJ possess high level tangible traits.

He said the protection by the offensive line helped QB Chandler Whitmer throw the ball down field which is something they want to do. It helps loosen up the run game and it’s more exciting when you’re producing points.

He said WR Geremy Davis is still nursing a lower leg thing and is day-to-day but should be full speed for Saturday.

He did state that RT Dalton Gifford is likely done for the season but S Ellis Marder should return. He’s doing land based running now.

He said that WRs Noel Thomas and Thomas Lucas have improved with their preparations for each game. He said Lucas route running is better and Thomas’ blocking is better. He said they are aggressively increased their levels of leadership.

This is the first game in a month at the Rent and the team is excited to be at the Rent.

While wins are important, Diaco wants to see the team play hard for four quarters with maximum effort and play with great spirit and energy. He wants to believe and continue their loyalty. He said they need to see the improvement and continue to grow.

He said their belief and accountability have improved greatly. He can see that the brotherhood is growing and that they are coaching and teaching each other now.

He said the tight ends have improved their blocking over the season. He stated that Sean McQuillan has been asked to do more blocking but when he goes out he’s a matchup issue. He said Tommy Myers is doing a fantastic job at blocking as well. He said Alec Bloom still needs to improve his complete game.

He said Saturday’s ceremony honoring Jasper Howard is a great teaching moment and educational piece for all student athletes.  Diaco said he has been part of a team that has experienced loss during the season.

He stated that UCF QB Justin Holman is what worries him the most about their offense. He’s a big QB that likes to run and that likes to move around a lot. He said they have three talented wide receivers with excellent hands and that present tremendous matchup problems.

He said RB William Stanback is a great tackle breaker and downhill runner. He also their offense has a lot of high level talent and plays smart football.

He said that everyone this year has had a hard time dealing with the front of UCF’s defense.

We’ll be back throughout the week with videos from the press conference as well as hear from the players.

Prior to Tuesday’s press conference for Saturday’s Homecoming Game against the Central Florida Knights, UConn Huskies head coach Bob Diaco has released his depth chart for the game and there are changes to it from last game’s against East Carolina.

With Byron Jones done for the season, freshman Jamar Summers takes over as the starter. He’ll be backed up by John Green and Javon Hadley. Freshman Brice McAllister moves on to the two-deep as the backup to Jhavon Williams at the other corner.

At running back, freshman Arkeel Newsome and Ron Johnson are now listed as the starters with Max DeLorenzo and Joshua Marriner are in “OR” situation as the backup. This is not surprising at all as for the past few games, Newsome and Johnson have seen the bulk of the action out of the backfield.

Offense

LT: 71 Richard Levy (RSo., 6-6, 305)
74 Paul Nwokeji (RJr., 6-6, 287)

LG: 65 Gus Cruz (RSr., 6-4, 296)
77 Trey Rutherford (Fr., 6-5, 289)

C: 73 Alex Mateas (RSr., 6-4, 309)
70 Kyle Bockeloh (RSo., 6-3, 284)

RG: 60 Tyler Samra (Jr., 6-2, 288)
63 Ryan Crozier (Fr., 6-4, 297)

RT: 53 Andreas Knappe (RSo., 6-8, 300)
62 Thomas Hopkins (RFr., 6-6, 298)

TE: 49 Sean McQuillan (RJr., 6-3, 239)
80 Tommy Myers (RFr., 6-5, 238)

WR: 85 Geremy Davis (RSr., 6-3, 216)
8 Thomas Lucas (RFr., 6-2, 198) OR
5 Noel Thomas (So., 6-1, 187)

QB: 10 Chandler Whitmer (RSr., 6-0, 192)
14 Tim Boyle (So., 6-3, 216)

FB: 34 Jazzmar Clax (RFr., 5-11, 241)
36 Matt Walsh (So., 6-1, 227)

TB: 22 Arkeel Newsome (Fr., 5-7, 180) OR
3 Ron Johnson (Fr., 6-0, 217)
44 Max DeLorenzo (RJr., 5-11, 210) OR
26 Joshua Marriner (RFr., 5-9, 193)

WR: 4 Deshon Foxx (Sr., 5-10, 172)
1 Dhameer Bradley (So., 5-9, 166)

Defense

DE: 95 Kenton Adeyemi (RJr., 6-4, 268)
57 Cole Ormsby (RFr., 6-3, 248)

NG: 90 Julian Campenni (RJr., 6-0, 299)
92 Mikal Myers (RSo., 6-1, 312)

DT: 97 B.J. McBryde (RSr., 6-5, 304) OR
93 Folorunso Fatukasi (RFr., 6-4, 307)

DE: 47 Reuben Frank (RSr., 6-4, 246)
15 Luke Carrezola (Fr., 6-3, 242)

LB: 46 Marquise Vann (RJr., 6-0, 226)
55 Jon Hicks (RSo., 6-2, 236)

LB: 32 Jefferson Ashiru (RSo., 6-2, 233)
39 Junior Joseph (RFr., 6-1, 242)

LB: 2 Graham Stewart (RJr., 6-1, 227)
59 Vontae Diggs (Fr., 6-4, 207)

CB: 21 Jamar Summers (Fr., 6-0, 180)
7 John Green (RSo., 5-10, 179) OR
11 Javon Hadley (So., 5-10, 164)

S: 22 Andrew Adams (RJr., 6-0, 197)
28 Jordan Floyd (RSo., 6-0, 206)

S: 20 Obi Melifonwu (RSo., 6-3, 210)
23 Junior Lee (RJr., 6-0, 214)

CB: 6 Jhavon Williams (RSo., 5-10, 190)
33 Brice McAllister (Fr., 5-11, 191)

Special Teams

K: 17 Bobby Puyol (RSo., 5-10, 174)
94 Chase Briley (Fr., 5-11, 165)

P: 42 Justin Wain (RSo., 6-3, 204)
94 Chase Briley (Fr., 5-11, 165)

HL: 82 Blake Feagles (RFr., 5-10, 205)
42 Justin Wain (RSo., 6-3, 204)

KR: 22 Arkeel Newsome (Fr., 5-7, 180)
26 Joshua Marriner (RFr., 5-9, 193)

PR: 4 Deshon Foxx (Sr., 5-10, 172)
18 Brian Lemelle (So., 5-10, 165)

LS: 66 Dominick Manco (RJr., 6-0, 213)
67 Adam Mueller (RSr., 6-1, 212)

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 Football links

UConn in the NFL: Week 8 report [jim fuller – new haven register]

Diaco Says UConn Is Not About ‘Moral Victories’ [hartford courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Dailey thrilled that Grentz is back in the game [carl adamec – sny uconn]

State College hoops star commits to UConn [altoona mirror]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn Men’s Basketball: 2015 KenPom ratings released [uconn blog]

Meet UConn’s Rakim Lubin, the southern-born bruiser who looks to help the Huskies on the boards [sportz edge]

Other UConn related links

W. Soccer. Rachel Hill Up For MAC Hermann Trophy Fan’s Choice [uconn huskies]

M. Soccer. Huskies Conclude Non-Conference Schedule Against Yale Tuesday [uconn huskies]