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Stewart Joins Four Former Huskies On FIBA USA Basketball Women’s Team

From UConn via USA Basketball:

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Sept. 23, 2014) – Headlined by USA Basketball’s first four-time USA World Championship Team member Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), the 12-member 2014 USA World Championship Team was finalized on Sept. 23 in Prague, Czech Republic. The U.S. squad, which posted a 4-1 record in exhibition games and began training camp on Sept. 8, will travel to Turkey in the morning for the 2014 FIBA World Championship, which will be held Sept. 27-Oct. 5 in Ankara and Istanbul. The team was selected by the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee, chaired by USA Basketball women’s national team director Carol Callan.

Including Bird, who won gold in 2002 and 2010 and a bronze medal in 2006, named to the 2014 USA World Championship Team were: three-time USA World Championship Team member Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury), a member of the 2006 and 2010 U.S. teams; 2010 USA World Championship Team gold medalists Tina Charles (New York Liberty), Candice Dupree (Phoenix Mercury), Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream), Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx) and Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota Lynx); 2006 bronze medalist Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx); as well as Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Nnemkadi Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks), Odyssey Sims (Tulsa Shock) and Breanna Stewart (University of Connecticut), who will be competing in their first FIBA World Championship.

Further, seven of the eight members of the squad with prior FIBA World Championship appearances are Olympic gold medalists. Bird and Taurasi have won three Olympic gold medals; Augustus won Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012; while Charles, McCoughtry Moore and Whalen earned Olympic gold at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

“When you get down to the final 12-member team, you appreciate everything that all of the pool players have contributed to where we are today,” said Callan. “They all have worked hard and pushed the team during training camp to be at their very best. So, for that we are grateful, and we know that we have a great future as well. It is now exciting to have the team selected, and the committee feels that this team will compete to the standard set by previous USA Basketball World Championship Teams.”

“I think anytime a team is selected, you are always excited about who was picked and disappointed for those who weren’t picked,” said USA head coach Geno Auriemma (University of Connecticut). “We knew it was going to be difficult. We are missing so many veterans from previous World Championships and the Olympics, so it was a great opportunity for some younger players for some new faces to be added. I think they’ve done a great job. I think from what I can see, we’ve got a little bit of everything. We still have, obviously, some things that we have to work on. Brittney (Griner) is going to get here, and this will be her first time through this. Odyssey’s (Sims) first time. Breanna’s (Stewart) first time. Nneka’s (Ogwumike) first time. That’s a lot of new faces. I know our coaching staff has our work cut out for us, and we are excited to finally get the team together and get started.

“I think it’s a testament to Sue,” he added on Bird’s longevity with the USA National Team. “That’s a period of 12 years. She played right after graduating college. It is amazing that her level of play has been that consistent for that many years at a position that is not easy to play. That’s kind of who she is. She is very steady, very even keeled, unbelievable talented and wins. The players trust her, and they have confidence in her. And the coaches I think feel the same way. She’s like having a coach on the floor. We throw it out there like, ‘Wow, you’re a four-time USA World Championship Team member.’ If it were that easy, it would have been done lots of times before this. She’s accomplished something that’s very rare, and she should be very proud of herself.”

The USA National Team defeated Canada 76-51 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, then went 2-1 in the 2014 France International Tournament in Paris after taking down Australia (1-2) 72-66 on Sept. 19 and China (1-2) 99-75 on Sept. 20, before falling to host France (2-1) 76-72 on Sept. 21. In its final exhibition game, the U.S. defeated host Czech Republic in Prague 76-41 earlier tonight.

“I think you saw some of our style of play in the second half today,” added Auriemma on what he sees as the key to this team. “We want to get up and down the floor quickly, take advantage of our depth and take advantage of our athletic ability in a lot of ways. I think that’s the style that they players want to play, and it suits them and it suits me just fine. We also know that you can’t just be like that. You also have to be a really good half court team. But I think our transition game is probably going to be our style. Defensively, creating offense and keeping the pace quick enough that we can use our depth.”

Auriemma is being assisted on the sideline by DePaul University head coach Doug Bruno, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve and University of South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley; while University of Hartford head coach Jennifer Rizzotti serves as an advance scout and court coach for the 2014 USA squad.

The USA owns a record eight gold medals, one silver medal and two bronze medals in FIBA World Championship play, while compiling an all-time 97-21 record at the event. In 2010, the most recent World Championship, the U.S. finished with a perfect 9-0 record and the gold medal.

The USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee is charged with the selection of the 2014 USA World Championship Team and in addition to Callan, the selection committee includes: WNBA appointees Reneé Brown, WNBA chief of basketball operations and player relations, Dan Hughes, San Antonio Silver Stars head coach and general manager, and Chris Sienko, Connecticut Sun vice president and general manager; and three-time Olympic and two-time FIBA World Championship gold medalist Katie Smith, who played in nearly 200 games for USA Basketball from 1993-2008, and serves as the athlete representative.

2014 USA Basketball Women’s World Championship Team Roster

Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx

Sue Bird, Seattle Storm

Tina Charles, New York Liberty

Candice Dupree, Phoenix Mercury

Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury

Angel McCoughtry, Atlanta Dream

Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx

Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks

Odyssey Sims, Tulsa Shock

Breanna Stewart, UConn

Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury

Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota Lynx

2013-16 USA National Team Head Coach: Geno Auriemma, University of Connecticut

Assistant Coach: Doug Bruno, DePaul University

Assistant Coach: Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota Lynx

Assistant Coach: Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina

Advance Scout/Court Coach: Jennifer Rizzotti, University of Hartford

Team Physician: Dave Walden, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Athletic Trainer: Ed Ryan, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Bourque Brothers Relish the Chance to be Teammates

By Bob Crawford

With Ryan Bourque, a three-year Hartford Wolf Pack mainstay, being five years younger than his brother Chris, a veteran of nine seasons of pro hockey, the opportunities for the two siblings ever to play together have been limited.

“Just in summer leagues,” Ryan said recently about his and Chris’ experience wearing the same jersey. “Me and Chris played together with a bunch of our buddies, and actually the old man (Ryan and Chris’ father, Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque) was on our team too, but he’s had to limit his playing the past few years.”

With Chris signing a free-agent contract with the New York Rangers July 2, though, there is every chance that the two Bourques will spend this year on the same team, either in the NHL with the Rangers or in the AHL as members of the Wolf Pack.

That possibility has both of the brothers extremely pumped up.

“It’s real exciting, obviously,” Ryan said last week, after a Ranger training camp practice. “Growing up, as kids, just battling in the back yards and being able to become really close friends over the years, we always talked about how it would be pretty cool to be able to play with each other in the future, if we ever had an opportunity. Just the opportunity to suit up, whether it’s in Hartford or in New York, with your big brother is a pretty cool experience, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Chris added, “It’s definitely an exciting opportunity for both of us. It’s something that we’ve never had an opportunity to do, and you don’t know if a chance like this is going to come. So when they (the Rangers) offered me a contract, it was a no-brainer to sign with them. I think we’re both very excited, and we’ll enjoy it as long as it lasts. Hopefully it’s in New York, but if it’s in Hartford, then that’s great too. It’s something that doesn’t come along too often, where brothers get to play in the same organization, so we’re going to cherish every moment that we get, and it’s just hopefully going to be a real exciting year.

For Chris Bourque, who won three Calder Cups during his six seasons with the Hershey Bears, and an AHL scoring title in 2011-12, the chance to play with Ryan was a big factor in his signing with the Ranger organization, but it was not the only attraction.

“It’s such a historic franchise,” the 28-year-old Boston native said. “I was always a Boston Bruins fan growing up, but the Rangers were right up there. And to get a chance to put this jersey on is an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up, and having my brother in the organization is just that added extra motivation to sign here. We’ll go to (training) camp here, see how it goes, and then I think we’re both really looking forward to the season.”

The 2014-15 campaign marks a return to North America for Chris, who spent last season overseas. He started 2013-14 in Russia’s KHL with Ak-Bars Kazan, and then moved on to Biel of the Swiss A League in late November. For Bourque and his wife Kim, who have a young son, Kingston, the European sojourn was a mixed bag of enjoyment and challenges.

“It was all right, it was long,” he said of his year abroad. “Bringing your family over there when you’ve got a small child, it’s always a little bit questionable, but overall it was a good experience. It’s always good traveling the world and seeing different places and different cultures. I really enjoyed my time in Switzerland last year. It’s a beautiful country and a good hockey league. I’ll just try and take the positives out of last year and move forward.”

There were definitely plenty of positives for the younger Bourque brother last season, and Chris, keeping track of it from the other side of the pond, was extremely excited to see the progress that Ryan was making with the Wolf Pack.

“I would always check the stat sheet after he played,” Chris said. “He picked up 20 goals and had a decent amount of assists. And I think everyone sees the effort’s always there with him, so the confidence that he can score at that level (the AHL), hopefully that gives him the confidence to come up here (the NHL) and show them that he is a good offensive player, because he really is. I knew that all along, it’s just that sometimes you’ve got to be given the right opportunity to put up those numbers. He had a heck of a year last year, and hopefully he can build off that.”

Ryan, who had scored six and eight goals, respectively, in his first two pro seasons, broke out for 21 in 2013-14, second only to Danny Kristo’s 25 among Wolf Pack skaters. He also added 16 assists for 37 points, more than double his previous pro high of 15. His heart and tenacity had always stood out since his arrival in Hartford, but his numbers last year made a clear statement that he can much more than just an “energy guy”.

“The second half of the season, I think it was a breakthrough,” Ryan said of last season. “I just got an opportunity, and I definitely made the most of it. I think it was the first time in my three seasons that I really jumped on an opportunity and really showed the things that I could do in an offensive way. I don’t think the effort or the energy or anything like that’s ever going to change, but there’s another side of my game that I was yet to show in this organization. I was just really grateful for the opportunity, and was able to capitalize on it, and I think just to keep growing on that would be a really big step for me, and that’s what I plan on doing.”

Also significant on Ryan’s stat line for the 2013-14 Wolf Pack was the fact that he had the top plus/minus figure on the club, with a +16, and that his power-play goal total of seven was tied for best on the team. Clearly, his two-way game was becoming a strong calling card.

“I’ve always kind of prided myself on being able to play on both sides of the puck growing up,” Ryan said, “and I think the more versatile you can be as a player, and the more coachable that you can be, those are two aspects that really stand out and give you an aspect you can use in any situation.”

Ranger training camp brought the brothers Bourque to the MSG Training Center, the Rangers’ practice facility in Tarrytown, NY, and Ryan Bourque must have felt like he never left.

Ryan was a “Black Ace” this past spring for the parent club, part of the taxi squad that stayed in practice shape at the Training Center for the entire Ranger playoff run. That was a nearly two-month engagement, as the big club went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals before falling in five games to Los Angeles. Despite the fact that it the assignment did not include any playing time with the Rangers, Ryan feels that simply being immersed in the playoff atmosphere helped him and his fellow Black Aces to grow significantly.

“I think the group of guys that we had there, the young core in the organization, with the guys that we played with in Hartford, we’re all so tight and so closely-knit that it was a blast for us,” he said. “Just to be able to soak in the experience of being here (at the Training Center) and being able to go to the games and watch playoff hockey, that’s a pretty great experience. Obviously you’d like to be out on the ice, but that’s part of the process. And you’ve got to learn from that and see the things that those guys are doing and obviously cheer for them. And to be here for two months and be able to experience that and skate every day, and obviously keep working on your game and staying ready, it was a great experience for us.”

Chris Bourque’s resume already includes a wealth of postseason experience, as well as a total of 51 NHL games-played, with Washington, Pittsburgh and Boston. With 433 points in 437 career AHL games-played, three AHL championships and a scoring title, he does not have much left to prove at the AHL level, but is eager to take on the next challenge, wherever that happens to be.

“It’s (the AHL) a heck of a league and I’ve enjoyed my time when I play in it, but at the same time, you always want to play in the NHL,” Chris said. “I’ve never been able to stick up in the NHL, for whatever reason, but you always want to be knocking on that door.

“If that (NHL) opportunity comes, hopefully I take full advantage of it, but at the same time, whatever I can do to help this organization, whether it’s help the younger guys develop in Hartford, or help them make it to the playoffs, the team looks good. So you can’t ever rule out a good playoff run there (with the Wolf Pack).

“That would be nice for these guys to go through. Whenever you win a Calder Cup, those guys that won, you see them sprinkled out through the NHL. So that always helps the organization, when you can make a deep playoff run. It just gives you the experience and the knowledge that you need to make that next step. So if that’s what they need me for, then I’m all for it. It seems like there’s a good group of young guys here, so I’m really excited to play with them.”

In addition to those young prospects that Chris Bourque references, he is not the only experienced veteran who has been added to the fold. The Rangers organization this summer signed a strong group of older players, with Bourque being joined by the likes of forwards Chris Mueller, Ryan Potulny and Nick Tarnasky, defensemen Mike Kostka, Matt Hunwick and Steven Kampfer, and goaltender Cedrick Desjardins. With these types of individuals to bolster the organizational roster, Ryan Bourque, who was one of the more experienced players on last year’s Wolf Pack team as a third-year pro, is enthusiastic about the depth from which this season’s Ranger and Wolf Pack clubs will have to draw.

“I think it’s going to be a much deeper group than we’ve had in the past several years,” Ryan said. “I think there’s a good core in Hartford of young guys that really have developed into great players, and you saw it in the second half of last year with our first two lines, the youth movement that we had, and the success that we had in the second half. So I think that with that group, if guys make it here (New York), then it’s awesome for them, but whether we have guys up here or down there (Hartford), there’s going to be a lot of depth. And to bring in the veterans that we did and put them in place, it all depends where guys end up, but regardless we’re going to have a lot of depth in the organization, and we’re going to have an opportunity in Hartford to have a great team. I think it’s just a matter of coming together and having chemistry.

“All of us, me included, want to be up here, but I think whether you end up here or down there, it’s going to be a great experience and it’s going to be a team that’s going to be able to develop and get better every day.”

If both Ryan and Chris Bourque are parts of the group that ends up with the Wolf Pack, they will be the first-ever pair of brothers to play together on the Wolf Pack team. The club has had two other brother acts in its history, Peter (1997-98) and Chris (2006-07) Ferraro and Chris (2001-02) and Michael (2013-14) St. Croix, but neither of those duos was ever on the Pack roster at the same time.

photo credit: chris rutsch

Breaking Bread With Bob – 9/23

UConn Huskies head football coach Bob Diaco held his weekly pregame press conference on Tuesday afternoon in anticipation of Saturday’s game against the Temple Owls (4 p.m. kickoff) and talked about a myriad of things.

His opening statement which is usually just a short few moments, went close to 10 minutes this week.

He got things started off with a quote in regards to the game film in “it’s never as good as you think it is and it’s never as bad as you thought it was”. He said he and the coaching staff thought the latter in their review of the game film.

He said once again, the early turnover hurt and the penalties were an issue.

Diaco thought the players did a great job of protecting the ball overall with the exception of the blind side hit on Chandler Whitmer (there was nothing Whitmer could do). He said they focused on holding the ball during practice.

He said it was a wash in turnover margin as each team had one big one.

He stated the team produced more negative plays in this game.

He said they addressed five plays that defined the game. Before he listed them though, he said the style of play created an opportunity for a chance for the game to be different.

The five plays that defined the game were

Max DeLorenzo‘s run for 8.5 yards when they needed nine yards.
Kamal Abrams drop late in the game.
The strip/sack of Whitmer.
The pick/rub play that South Florida ran on 4th and 10 where they scored the touchdown.
The 3rd and 16 draw run that USF ran. The defense was called for a draw. By allowing the 1st down, it kept the drive alive and USF kicked what turned out to be the winning field goal.

He was asked about why they want to run heavy offense and he stated that he made that decision. Four of the first 12 plays were pass plays that had things that caused losing.

hold
strip/sack
intentional grounding
chop block

So with those four things happening on the four pass plays, he decided to eliminate the things that cause losing. He did say the weather did play a little role but it was the losing element primarily.

He also did it to see if the opponent does something to cause losing (they did with Byron Jones pick-six). And after all that they still had a chance to win.

He stated the running game has improved. They were fundamentally better.

Diaco said he made the call to go strictly run with his gut.

He stated the offensive line and tight ends need a lot of work in run and pass game. They have made an improvement in the run game and have some ways to go. But they have a longer way to go in the passing game.

He said he was very pleased with the play of Whitmer. He said three of the four big plays this season have had true freshman at point of attack. He stated the way to fix it is just to keep correcting the mistakes.

Diaco stated that it’s hard to throw the ball when the QB doesn’t have time and will continue to do so and try to get it to the playmakers like Geremy Davis and Deshon Foxx. To do that, they need to do a better job in protection.

He talked about how Temple is a go fast offense, that they have a downhill running attack and triple-option style. He said that puts the second level defenders in a run/pass situation and that’s a fundamental challenge.

He said P.J. Walker has a strong arm and can make the all the throws plus can run the ball. He said Temple LB Avery Williams plays the game like it should be played. He said Temple was a well-coached team.

He stated that Tim Boyle was able to play. That the information that ESPN got was neighborhood talk. He said Boyle has no injury but has manageable pain that goes away. It became inflamed on Wednesday during a drill. He said Boyle should play on Saturday.

He talked about Junior Lee‘s special teams play. He had five tackles on special teams against USF. Diaco said Lee has a knack for the ball, he’s confident, goes full speed and aggressively makes the tackle. He said he intends to make the tackle and isn’t one of those guys that tries to make it.

Diaco said the defense keeps getting better. He said it was easier to progress and improve on defense. He’s been very pleased with the realistic plans the defensive coaches have put together.

He said he’s very excited about the young guys on defense.

He stated he’s never been in this type of situation as a coach. He said he’s not not playing upper classmen but there is just more younger guys playing on the team. He stated the young guys are very talented.

He talked about a funny moment where the team was sitting in a meeting room and they expected him to blow up but that’s not his coaching style.

He said that using four RB’s doesn’t affect their rhythm. They have Max and three great running backs. He said if one of them really gets going they’ll continue to get the ball.

He finished up by saying that the two minute offense ran well because they all had good situational awareness of what was going on but added it is easier to move the ball against the prevent defense.

One final thing he said during the press conference was that while Angelo Pruitt‘s UConn career was over, his playing career wasn’t. He said Angelo will be ready for the spring to participate in stuff to go on to the professional ranks.

We’ll have more from this week’s press conference coming up over the next three days leading up to Saturday.

UConn Huskies Depth Chart For Temple

Ahead of Tuesday’s pregame press conference for the Temple Owls game at the Rent this Saturday, UConn Huskies football coach Bob Diaco has released his two-deep for the game and there are no changes to it from the depth chart against South Florida.

And remember, just because there are no changes to it doesn’t mean it will be this way come Saturday.

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: 78 Dalton Gifford (RJr., 6-4, 304) OR
53 Andreas Knappe (RSo., 6-8, 300)

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)
16 Will Rishell (RFr., 5-10, 185)

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

TB: 44 Max DeLorenzo (RJr., 5-11, 210)
26 Joshua Marriner (RFr., 5-9, 193)

WR: 4 Deshon Foxx (Sr., 5-10, 172)
9 Kamal Abrams (RJr., 5-11, 182) OR
1 Dhameer Bradley (So., 5-9, 166)

Defense

DE: 95 Kenton Adeyemi (RJr., 6-4, 268)
93 Folorunso Fatukasi (RFr., 6-4, 307)

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
57 Cole Ormsby (RFr., 6-3, 248)

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)
10 Cameron Stapleton (RFr., 6-4, 226)

CB: 16 Byron Jones (RSr., 6-1, 196)
7 John Green (RSo., 5-10, 179)

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) OR
19 Ellis Marder (RSo., 6-1, 193)

CB: 6 Jhavon Williams (RSo., 5-10, 190)
21 Jamar Summers (Fr., 6-0, 180)

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: 4 Deshon Foxx (Sr., 5-10, 172)
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 – The Daily UConn Huskies Roundup – 9/23/14

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 Football links

Bob Diaco can NEVER touch the UConn offense again [the uconn blog]

AAC Notebook: No. 23 East Carolina Storms Onto National Scene [hartford courant]

Temple Now Focusing On Conference Opener Saturday At UConn [cbs philadelphia]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Where UConn commit Boykin goes, success follows [carl adamec – sny uconn]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Steve Enoch: A ‘Husky In Training’ Under Jere Quinn at St. Thomas More [dom amore – hartford courant]

Caron Butler On Being A Leader In The Locker Room [uconn huskies basketball]

UConn men’s basketball appears strong as ever on recruiting trail [new haven register]

Other UConn related links

M. Ice Hockey. UConn Huskies Make Hockey East Media Day Debut [uconn huskies]

W. Tennis . Rockdale grad starts strong for UConn tennis [rockdale citizen]

M. Soccer. Huskies Renew Rivalry With Former Conference Foe St. John’s On Tuesday [uconn huskies]

M. Soccer. Former BIG EAST Rivals Square Off On ESPN3 As St. John’s Hosts Connecticut At Belson Stadium [redstorm sports]

Tampa Bay Rays @ Boston Red Sox Pitching Matchups: 9/22-9/24

Note: Pitching matchups are subject to change

Tuesday, September 23 @ 7:10 PM

Alex Cobb, RHP (9-8, 2.82) vs Clay Buchholz, RHP (8-9, 5.29)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Wednesday, September 24 @ 7:10 PM

Jake Odorizzi, RHP (11-12, 3.98) vs Anthony Ranaudo, RHP (3-3, 5.29)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Thursday, September 25 @ 7:10 PM

Jeremy Hellickson, RHP (1-4, 3.96) vs Allen Webster, RHP (4-3, 5.54)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Huskies Roundup – 9/22/14

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

UConn in the NFL: Week 3 [jim fuller – new haven register]

Diaco on passing and play-calling [john silver – sny uconn]

Coach Bob Diaco Under No Illusions About This UConn Team [hartford courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Geno, Bird, Charles, Taurasi Discuss Loss To France [rich elliott – ct post]

Stewart Survives Another Cut With World Championship Team [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn’s Dolson among latest U.S. cuts [jim fuller – new haven register]

Other UConn related links

M. Soccer. Men’s Soccer Hosts Its Annual Meet The Huskies Banquet On Saturday [uconn huskies]

Field Hockey. No. 5 UConn Tips Lafayette, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon [uconn huskies]

W. Soccer. UConn Blanks Brown, 2-0, In Non-Conference Finale [uconn huskies]

W. Volleyball. Volleyball Begins Conference Play on Wednesday [uconn huskies]

M. Soccer. Wagmeister Tabbed As Conference Goalkeeper Of The Week [uconn huskies]

American Athletic Conference Weekly Football Honors – Week 4

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

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Shane Carden • Sr. • QB • East Carolina • Houston, Texas

Carden led East Carolina to its second straight win against a top-25 opponent as he completed 30 of 48 passes for 438 yards and four touchdowns and added a pair of rushing TDs in the Pirates’ 70-41 win against North Carolina. He engineered a Pirate offense that set school and American Athletic Conference records with 789 total yards. It was Carden’s fifth career game with 400 passing yards.

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Tank Jakes • Sr. • LB • Memphis • Phenix City, Ala.

Jakes made a number of impact plays on defense to help Memphis to a 36-17 win against Middle Tennessee. He helped the Tigers hold the Blue Raiders, who had registered at least 400 yards of offense in eight straight regular-season games, to just 325 total yards. He had seven tackles, including three third-down stops, three tackles for losses, two sacks, a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown, an interception and a safety. Jakes leads the nation in tackles for loss, averaging 3.0 per game.

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Mattias Ciabatti • Jr. • P • USF • Tampa, Fla.

In a game played in a driving rainstorm, Ciabatti was instrumental in the field position battle that helped USF defeat UConn 17-14 in the Bulls’ American Athletic Conference opener. He averaged 41.3 yards on six punts, with a long of 61 yards, and dropped five punts inside the UConn 15-yard line. UConn’s average starting field position for the game was its own 18-yard line, while the starting field position on his six punts were the 9, 5, 12, 9, 3 and 25-yard lines. Ciabatti leads The American and is ranked 15th nationally with 45.4 yards per punt.

WEEKLY HONOR ROLL

William Stanback • So. • RB • UCF • Hempstead, N.Y.

Rushed for a career-high 104 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns in a 41-7 win against Bethune-Cookman.

Jeff Luc • Sr. • LB • Cincinnati • Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Had a career-high 18 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in a 31-24 win against Miami (Ohio).

Zeek Bigger • Jr. • LB • East Carolina • Gastonia, N.C.

Had 17 tackles and a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 70-41 win against East Carolina.

Ryan Jackson • Jr. • RB • Houston • Angleton, Texas

Rushed for a career-high 147 yards on 13 carries and had a 26-yard touchdown reception in a 47-14 win against UNLV.

Sharif Finch • So. • DE • Temple • Henrico, Va.

Had three tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 59-0 win against Delaware State. Led a defense that held the Hornets to 93 yards of offense.

2014 NCAA Football Rankings – Week 5 (Sept. 21)

The NCAA college football rankings are out for the week and after their overtime victory on Saturday night without Jameis Winston, the Florida State Seminoles remain the No. 1 team in both polls.

The Noles are followed by the Oregon Ducks, Alabama Crimson Tide, Oklahoma Sooners and Auburn Tigers in the AP Poll. In the Amway Coaches Poll, they are followed by Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon and Auburn.

The East Carolina Pirates become the first team from the American Athletic Conference to be ranked after their huge win over North Carolina on Saturday. They are ranked No. 23 in the AP Poll and 24 in the coaches poll.

The Cincinnati Bearcats are among the others receiving votes in both polls. The Memphis Tigers are among the others receiving votes in the coaches poll.

AP Top 25				USA Today Poll
RK	TEAM	REC	PTS	RK	TEAM	REC	PTS
1	Florida State (34)	3-0	1439	1	Florida State (36)	3-0	1494
2	Oregon (12)	4-0	1400	2	Alabama (11)	4-0	1466
3	Alabama (6)	4-0	1377	3	Oklahoma (12)	4-0	1425
4	Oklahoma (4)	4-0	1343	4	Oregon (3)	4-0	1403
5	Auburn	3-0	1268	5	Auburn	3-0	1316
6	Texas A&M (4)	4-0	1232	6	Baylor	3-0	1213
7	Baylor	3-0	1143	7	Texas A&M	4-0	1197
8	Notre Dame	3-0	967	8	Notre Dame	3-0	1022
9	Michigan State	2-1	905	9	Michigan State	2-1	920
10	Ole Miss	3-0	889	10	UCLA	3-0	899
11	UCLA	3-0	806	11	Ole Miss	3-0	875
12	Georgia	2-1	789	12	Arizona State	3-0	792
13	South Carolina	3-1	764	13	Georgia	2-1	768
14	Mississippi State	4-0	706	14	Stanford	2-1	657
15	Arizona State	3-0	702	15	South Carolina	3-1	630
16	Stanford	2-1	564	16	Mississippi State	4-0	523
17	LSU	3-1	541	17	Wisconsin	2-1	518
18	USC	2-1	459	18	LSU	3-1	514
19	Wisconsin	2-1	451	19	Nebraska	4-0	433
20	BYU	4-0	376	20	Ohio State	2-1	407
21	Nebraska	4-0	296	21	BYU	4-0	381
22	Ohio State	2-1	196	22	USC	2-1	309
23	East Carolina	3-1	180	23	Duke	4-0	155
24	Oklahoma State	2-1	132	24	East Carolina	3-1	153
25	Kansas State	2-1	131	25	Kansas State	2-1	128
Dropped from rankings:				Dropped from rankings:
Missouri 18, Clemson 22				Missouri 19, Clemson 24
Others receiving votes:				Others receiving votes:
Duke 86, Penn State 81, Clemson 48, TCU 35, Marshall 33, Utah 31, Washington 30, Georgia Tech 22, Boston College 19, West Virginia 15, Cincinnati 11, Arkansas 9, Arizona 9, Missouri 5, Oregon State 5, North Dakota State 3, Pittsburgh 1, Indiana 1				Oklahoma State 110, Penn State 67, Clemson 63, Washington 62, Arizona 45, TCU 44, Marshall 31, Georgia Tech 27, Oregon State 20, Arkansas 17, Missouri 13, Cincinnati 13, Utah 8, Boston College 7, North Carolina State 7, Louisville 6, Boise State 5, Memphis 3, West Virginia 3, Iowa 1