Author Archives: ianbethune

UConn Basketball 2014 First Night Rosters Set

The rosters for the UConn Huskies basketball programs’ “First Night” festivities were voted on by the fans of both teams and here’s how they shape up:

Team Kevin (White Unis) Team Geno (Blue Unis)
11 Kia Nurse 23 Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis
21 Omar Calhoun 23 Nnamdi Amilo
12 Kentan Facey 10 Sam Cassell Jr.
41 Kiah Stokes 22 Courtney Ekmark
4 Moriah Jefferson 15 Gabby Williams
22 Pat Lenehan 5 Daniel Hamilton
44 Rodney Purvis 35 Amida Brimah
30 Breanna Stewart 3 Morgan Tuck
51 Natalie Butler 14 Sadie Edwards
1 Phil Nolan 14 Rakim Lubin
3 Terrence Samuel 24 Briana Pulido
20 Tierney Lawlor 11 Ryan Boatright
12 Saniya Chong

Here’s the schedule for the “First Night“:

3 p.m. – Fan Fest on Fairfield Way
5 p.m. – Doors Open
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 PM– Autograph Session
6 p.m. – Pre-event begins
7 p.m. – Showtime

We’ll have pictures from “First Night” later on Friday night as well as from the entire day at UConn.

We’ll be getting a tour of the new practice facility for both teams and then we’ll be there for the dedication of the practice facility as well.

2014-15 NCAA Men’s Basketball Rankings – USA Today Coaches Preseason Poll

coaches-poll-logo

The first set of college basketball rankings are out and it’s the USA Today Coaches Preseason Poll with the Kentucky Wildcats as the preseason favorites.

They are followed by the Arizona Wildcats, Duke Blue Devils, Wisconsin Badgers and Kansas Jayhawks.

The UConn Huskies, the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions, are ranked No. 15 by the coaches. The only other team from the American Athletic Conference that is ranked is the SMU Mustangs who come in at No. 22.

The Memphis Tigers are the only team from the American among the others receiving votes.

RANK TEAM REC POINTS
1 Kentucky (24) 29-11 785
2 Arizona (3) 33-5 746
3 Duke (2) 26-9 715
4 Wisconsin (3) 30-8 706
5 Kansas 25-10 654
6 North Carolina 24-10 598
7 Florida 36-3 568
8 Virginia 30-7 519
9 Louisville 31-6 507
10 Texas 24-11 479
11 Wichita State 35-1 471
12 Villanova 29-5 439
13 Gonzaga 29-7 423
14 Iowa St. 28-8 323
15 Connecticut 32-8 292
16 Virginia Commonwealth 26-9 259
17 San Diego State 31-5 251
18 Michigan State 29-9 241
19 Oklahoma 23-10 237
20 Ohio State 25-10 223
21 Nebraska 19-13 156
22 SMU 27-10 149
23 Michigan 28-9 139
24 Syracuse 28-6 128
25 Iowa 20-13 56
Others receiving votes:
Harvard 47; Stanford 47; Kansas State 37; Pittsburgh 36; Utah 26; Memphis 25; Minnesota 18; UCLA 15; New Mexico 11; Oregon 9; Louisiana Tech 8; Colorado 8; Arkansas 8; Dayton 6; Providence 5; Notre Dame 5; Massachusetts 4; Georgetown 4; Illinois 4; Texas-El Paso 4; Florida State 3; Baylor 2; George Washington 1; Miami (Fla.) 1; Toledo 1; Saint Mary’s 1.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Huskies Roundup – 10/16/14

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

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

New UConn commit putting up some crazy stats [jim fuller – new haven register]

Taking a closer look at UConn’s incoming recruiting class [jim fuller – new haven register]

Commit: WR Tyraiq Beals, (East Orange, N.J.) [john silver – sny uconn]

State’s leading receiver Tyraiq Beals of East Orange commits to University of Connecticut [the star-ledger]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Husky Heroes Cereal Coming Very Soon [sox & dawgs]

First Night visitors include top sophomore Walker [carl adamec – sny uconn]

Freshman Williams continues to work way back [carl adamec – sny uconn]

To Huskies, practice facility is perfect [carl adamec – sny uconn]

Breanna Stewart And The Case Of The Initial Hesitation [john altavilla – hartford courant]

UConn Practice Day 1: Reports From The Observation Deck [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Tuck Excited To Be Healthy, Back At Practice [rich elliott – ct post]

Edwards, Auriemma Discuss First Practice [rich elliott – ct post]

Williams Expects To Be Fully Cleared Soon [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn’s Tuck thrilled to be back [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn’s freshmen excited to get rolling [jim fuller – new haven register]

At season’s first practice, UConn’s Tuck returns [ct post]

Geno, UConn Women Get Down To Business With First Practice [hartford courant]

Tuck returns to practices Marine tough [new haven register]

Upbeat Huskies break in new facility [waterbury republican-american]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Husky Heroes Cereal Coming Very Soon [sox & dawgs]

Hay There, Huskies Fans, Meet The New Shabazz On The UConn Campus [dom amore – hartford courant]

UConn readies for First Night festivities [david borges – new haven register]

Napier forcing his way into Heat discussion at point [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

W. Ice Hockey. UConn Skates At Colgate And Syracuse This Weekend [uconn huskies]

M. Cross Country. Men’s Cross Country Prepares for 2014 Rothenburg Run [uconn huskies]

Field Hockey. Field Hockey Rounds Out Regular Season Home Action Against Providence, Yale [uconn huskies]

Baseball. Domnarski’s already looking forward to playing for UConn [the day]

M. Ice Hockey. Coach Cavanaugh is coming home [eagle-tribune]

@uconnfootball @uconnWBB @uconnMBB @uconnhuskies #bleedblue

Video: Tom Brady UGG For Men Fall ’14 Ad

There aren’t a lot of things New England Patriots QB Tom Brady doesn’t do well.

He grew up playing golf, was a standout baseball and football player, add to that he also cooks up a pretty good pancake. He has his mom to thank for that.

In this spot, he shares a moment with her, making pancakes, a tradition he continues with his kids to this day.

In the previous spot, Brady played golf with his father.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Huskies Roundup – 10/15/14

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

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 6 [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Recruit Dangerfield to be at UConn’s First Night [carl adamec – sny uconn]

On Eve Of First Practice, Auriemma Talks Health, New Players [rich elliott – ct post]

Geno said UConn’s Stewart “got an education” playing with national team [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn celebrating its dual national championships side by side [jim fuller – new haven register]

Rebecca Lobo there from the start [espnW]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Kevin Ollie: Huskies Will ‘Contest On Defense, Punch On Offense’ [dom amore – hartford courant]

Kevin Ollie, Geno Auriemma talk the talk at Oakdale Theater [david borges – new haven register]

Ollie offers early look at 2014-15 Huskies at “Champions” dinner [william paxton – ct post]

UConn celebrates at ‘Champions’ dinner [ct post]

UConn celebrates titles, looks toward future [new haven register]

Other UConn related links

M. & W. Soccer. Rizza’s Gift Sparks Off-Field Excitement For UConn Soccer [uconn huskies]

Field Hockey. Field Hockey To Honor Diane Madl on Friday Night [uconn huskies]

M. Soccer. UConn Dropped By No. 2 Syracuse, 4-0, On Tuesday [uconn huskies]

M. Golf. UConn Wins Connecticut Cup For 2nd Straight Year [uconn huskies]

W. Soccer. Huskies Host USF On Thursday Night [uconn huskies]

W. Volleyball. UConn Set for Weekend Road Matches with Tulane, Houston [uconn huskies]

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Huskies Roundup – 10/14/14

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

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

Lack Of Offense, Turnovers Continue To Haunt UConn Football Team [hartford courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

For UConn Women: New-Look AAC; Kaleena’s Fitness; Replacing Stars [hartford courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Hamilton Brothers Toughened Up Youngest, Daniel, For Time At UConn [dom amore – hartford courant]

For UConn Men: Talk Of Repeat; Boatright’s Leadership; AAC Weakness [hartford courant]

Top 25 Countdown: No. 20 UConn Huskies [nbc sports]

Other UConn related links

Photos: UConn Men’s Soccer vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane – 10/11/14 [sox & dawgs]

M. Soccer. Huskies To Host No. 4 Syracuse On Tuesday [uconn huskies]

Newington, CT Native Tony Rizza Gives $8 Million For New UConn Soccer Stadium [sox & dawgs]

M. Soccer. Rizza Pledges $8 Million For New Soccer Stadium [uconn huskies]

UConn Soccer: Tony Rizza Pledges $8-million Donation [uconn huskies youtube]

Tony Rizza (’87) Gives $8 Million For UConn Soccer Facility [hartford courant]

Rizza’s $5M Gift Comes From A Modest Heart [hartford courant]

Westport’s Rizza gives UConn $5 million to upgrade soccer stadium [the hour]

M. Soccer. Levene Earns Second Straight Goalkeeper Of The Week Honors [uconn huskies]

Field Hockey. Klein, Middendorf Take Home Big East Accolades [uconn huskies]

W. Soccer. Three Huskies Honored By The American [uconn huskies]

M. Ice Hockey. UConn Not Capitalizing On Power Play [hartford courant]

Newington, CT Native Tony Rizza Gives $8 Million For New UConn Soccer Stadium

Tony Rizza

Joe Morrone built the UConn Huskies men’s soccer program from the ground up, literally. Len Tsantris did the same with the UConn women’s soccer team and continues to do so in his 33rd year at the helm.

UConn men’s soccer head coach Ray Reid has continued the success that his predecessor had in his 17th season as head coach. And now Newington, CT native and UConn graduate Tony Rizza will ensure that the success of both programs continues for generations of future men’s and women’s soccer student-athletes.

Rizza, who had previously given $3 million anonymously, added another $5 million in matching donations to help rebuild Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. The entire facility which includes the training grounds and existing practice fields will be named the Rizza Family Soccer Complex.

“I look forward to seeing my gift help UConn build a world class soccer complex that will keep both the men’s and women’s soccer programs in their spots among the premier soccer programs in America — a place where players want to play and UConn students and fans want to come to enjoy the finest collegiate soccer in America.”

The 1987 graduate of UConn is the senior managing director of Columbus Circle Investors, Inc., a Stamford investment advisory firm with $16.6 billion in assets and 65 employees.

He started 59 games in his UConn soccer career from 1983-1986 and played in three NCAA Tournaments and won two Big East Championships during his career.

“Tony’s gift gives validation to the men’s and women’s soccer team and the athletic department,” said Reid. “These gifts are not usually made to a soccer program in this country.”

“It makes a broad statement to other donors that ‘hey we need your help, look what Tony has done to get us started’.”

The first person to make a donation after Rizza was Coach Reid who donated a $100,000.

Rizza waited until after the UConn Basketball Champions Facility was done to make the second donation. That facility will have its official dedication this Friday with another big announcement, possibly regarding naming rights.

“I thought it would be a good time to give it another shot in the arm, if you well, to the effort and see if we can get it done,” Rizza said.

He also wanted to remain anonymous this time around as well but was talked out of it.

“It’s a pretty big gift and I don’t want people to misinterpret what that means,” said Rizza. “I’m not looking for notoriety or anything like that. I was just looking to help.”

“I didn’t see the need to put my name toward it. I just thought I could give the gift and get the ball rolling from there.”

The $8 million donation by Rizza is the largest ever made to the UConn Division of Athletics.

The plan is to hire an architect over the coming months and then come up with renderings that Rizza along with the two soccer coaches, athletic director Warde Manuel and president Susan Herbst can look at and decide what will be best going forward.

Reid hopes to have a shovel in the ground on the new facility by December of 2015.

photo credit: ian bethune

American Athletic Conference Weekly Football Honors – Oct. 13

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors for the seventh week of the college football season.

american2AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Justin Holman • So. • QB • UCF • Snellville, Ga.

Holman helped UCF come back from a two-touchdown deficit in the second half, throwing the game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter before delivering the gamewinner in overtime as the Knights rallied past Brigham Young 31-24. Holman finished the day 30-of-51 for a career-high 326 yards with two touchdowns, while he added 26 yards and a TD on 10 rushing attempts. Holman, who connected on his first eight passes, is the first UCF quarterback to complete 30 passes in a game since the 2004 season.

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Terrance Plummer • Sr. • LB • UCF • Orange Park, Fla.

Plummer filled his stat line with 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup to key UCF’s 31-24 win against Brigham Young. He helped spark the Knights’ comeback from a two-touchdown deficit in the second half as his forced fumble came as the Cougars’ advanced to the 13-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter. Plummer was also named Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week for his effort against BYU.

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

J.J. Worton • Sr. • WR • UCF • Homestead, Fla.

On a day in which UCF’s defense forced Brigham Young to punt 10 times, Worton was a difference-maker in the return game has he had five punt returns for a combined 77 yards and twice set the Knights up in position to score in their 31-24 win. His 32-yard return in the first quarter led to a UCF field goal, while his 29-yard return in the fourth quarter set the Knights up on the BYU 37-yard line, leading to the game-tying touchdown. Worton leads the American Athletic Conference with an average of 12.4 yards per punt return.

WEEKLY HONOR ROLL

Breon Allen • Sr. • RB • East Carolina • Daytona Beach, Fla.

Rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries and had four receptions for 50 yards and a TD in a 28-17 win at USF.

Efrem Oliphant • Sr. • LB • Houston • Houston, Texas

Had a game-high 12 tackles with two tackles for loss, two interceptions and a quarterback hurry in a 28-24 win at Memphis.

Greg Ward Jr. • So. • QB • Houston • Tyler, Texas

Completed 14 of 25 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 95 yards on 17 carries, including a 64-yard touchdown run, in a 28-24 win at Memphis in his first career start at quarterback.

Jahad Thomas • So. • RB • Temple • Elizabeth, N.J.

Had 14 carries for 152 yards, averaging 10.9 yards per attempt, and  had a 20-yard touchdown reception in a 35-24 win against Tulsa.

Darion Monroe • Jr. • S • Tulane • Reserve, La.

Had six tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in a 12-3 win against UConn.