With the MLB Rule 5 Draft just around the corner, the Boston Red Sox have added six players to their 40-man roster. To make room, they designated for assignment five players.

The six players added to the 40-man roster are: C Daniel Butler, OF Alex Hassan, RHP Alex Wilson RHP Steven Wright and C Christian Vazquez and RHP Allen Webster.

The five players designated for assignment were INF Ivan De Jesus, 3B Danny Valencia, RHP David Carpenter, RHP Sandy Rosario and RHP Zach Stewart.

Here's the complete 40-man roster for the Red Sox:

PITCHERS (23): Alfredo Aceves, Scott Atchison, Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard, Pedro Beato, Craig Breslow, Drake Britton, Clay Buchholz, Chris Carpenter, Rubby De La Rosa, Felix Doubront, Rich Hill, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Mark Melancon, Andrew Miller, Franklin Morales, Clayton Mortensen, Stolmy Pimentel, Junichi Tazawa, Allen Webster, Alex Wilson, Steven Wright. 

CATCHERS (5): Dan Butler, Ryan Lavarnway, David Ross, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Christian Vazquez.

INFIELDERS (7): Pedro Ciriaco, Mauro Gomez, Jose Iglesias, Will Middlebrooks, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Jerry Sands.

OUTFIELDERS (5): Jacoby Ellsbury, Alex Hassan, Ryan Kalish, Daniel Nava, Ryan Sweeney

Stewart was the one remaining piece from the Kevin Youkilis trade so we basically traded Youk for nothing.

Now there is one thing to keep in mind folks.

Should the Red Sox sign any free agents, there will have to be changes to the 40-man roster.

To see the full release from the Red Sox, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today added six players to the Major League roster.  Catcher Daniel Butler, outfielder Alex Hassan, and right-handed pitchers Alex Wilson and Steven Wright were selected from Triple-A Pawtucket, and catcher Christian Vazquez and right-handed pitcher Allen Webster were selected from Double-A Portland.  To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder Ivan De Jesus, third baseman Danny Valencia and right-handed pitchers David Carpenter, Sandy Rosario and Zach Stewart were designated for assignment.  The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington. 

Butler, 26, split 2012 between Portland and Pawtucket, hitting .247 (79-for-320) with 19 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 37 RBI, 37 runs and 40 walks in 95 games.  Between the two stops, he threw out 38 of 114 attempted base stealers (33.3%).  He played a career-high 22 games at the Triple-A level after a promotion on August 3, and also appeared in six postseason games for the PawSox, going 6-for-19 (.316) with a homer.  In 330 games over parts of four seasons in the Red Sox system, the right-handed batter has hit .259 (288-for-1,114) with 77 doubles, six triples, 29 home runs and 166 RBI.  He was named to minor league All-Star teams in 2010 (Single-A South Atlantic League) and 2011 (High-A Carolina League), his first two full professional campaigns after signing with Boston as a non-drafted free agent in July 2009.  Currently, Butler is playing for Toros del Este of the Dominican Winter League. 

A native of Milton, MA, Hassan spent the 2012 season with Pawtucket and played in 94 games, appearing in left field, right field and at designated hitter.  He topped all PawSox with at least 125 plate appearances with a .377 on-base percentage and finished second on the team with 55 walks, the 12^th-highest total in the International League.  Following the season, he was ranked by Baseball America as having the best strike-zone judgment in the circuit.  A right-handed batter, he hit at a .256 clip (80-for-312) with 13 doubles, seven home runs, 46 RBI and 39 runs this past season.  Selected by the Red Sox in the 20^th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of Duke, Hassan has hit at a .284 clip (351-for-1,236) with 83 doubles, six triples, 30 home runs, 177 RBI, 180 runs and 198 walks in 361 career minor league games in the Boston system. 

Vazquez, 22, played the majority of last season with High-A Salem, where he was a Carolina League Postseason All-Star.  He was also tabbed by Baseball America as the best defensive catcher in the league after leading catching qualifiers with a 41.9% caught stealing percentage (44 of 105) and 110 assists.  Vazquez ended the year with 20 games for Portland in his Double-A debut and batted .254 (93-for-366) with 21 doubles, seven homers, 46 RBI, 54 runs and 48 walks across the two levels, including a .291 clip (51-for-175) over his last 48 games.  He threw out 49 of 122 base stealers (40.2%) overall, and following the season was named by Baseball America as the best defensive catcher in the Red Sox farm system for a second straight year.  Selected in the ninth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, the right-handed batter has hit .256 (304-for-1,187) with 67 doubles, three triples, 30 home runs and 183 RBI in 337 career games over five minor league campaigns.  He began the offseason in the Arizona Fall League and is now playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

Webster was acquired by Boston in a nine-player deal with the Dodgers on August 25.  Between Los Angeles’ Double-A Chattanooga affiliate and Portland in 2012, he posted a 6-9 record with a  3.86 ERA (56 ER/130.2 IP) and 129 strikeouts compared to 61 walks allowed in 29 appearances, including 24 starts.  The 22-year-old right-hander was tied for fourth in the Southern League in strikeouts (117) and ranked seventh in the circuit in ERA (3.55) at the time of the trade.  He surrendered just two home runs all season and beginning May 15 ranked fifth among Double-A qualifiers with a 2.60 ERA (28 ER/97.0 IP) and eighth with a .227 opponent average (81-for-357).  Overall in 2012, he gave up three earned runs or less in all but four starts and held opponents to one earned run or less in a start 10 times.  Following the season, he was named the No. 4 prospect (No. 2 pitcher) in the Red Sox system by Baseball America.  Selected in the 18^th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, Webster is 34-25 with one save and a 3.43 ERA (188 ER/494.0 IP), 468 strikeouts, 469 hits allowed and 206 walks over five minor league seasons between the Boston and Los Angeles organizations.

Wilson, 26, spent the entire 2012 season with Triple-A Pawtucket.  He appeared in 40 games (3 starts) for the PawSox, posting a 5-3 record with one save and a 3.72 ERA (30 ER/72.2 IP) and 78 strikeouts, including a 3.36 ERA (22 ER/59.0 IP) out of the bullpen in his first career relief experience.  The right-hander, who led the PawSox in outings and relief innings, struck out five and did not allow a run in 4.2 innings over four playoff games.  In 2011, Wilson combined to go 10-4 with a 3.11 ERA (46 ER/133.0 IP) and 123 strikeouts in 25 starts between Portland and Pawtucket to be named the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year.  Selected by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, he is 21-14 with one save, a 3.76 ERA (157 ER/375.2 IP) and 340 strikeouts in 105 minor league games (68 starts) over four seasons. 

Wright began the 2012 season with the Cleveland Indians’ Double-A affiliate in Akron before being acquired by the Red Sox on July 31.  The 28-year-old knuckleballer appeared in one game for Double-A Portland, allowing one run in 6.0 innings for the win before being promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket on August 8.  Between the three teams, he went 10-7 with a 2.54 ERA (40 ER/141.2 IP) and 119 strikeouts in 25 starts.  Wright finished the season first among Eastern League leaders in opponent average (.208) and ranked second in ERA (2.44).  He was 0-1 in four starts with Pawtucket, posting a 3.15 ERA (7ER/20.0 IP) with 5 walks and 16 strikeouts.  The right-hander also made one playoff start for the PawSox, allowing two runs and striking out six in 7.0 frames for the win.  A second-round selection by Cleveland in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Wright is 39-34 with seven saves, a 3.91 ERA (304 ER/699.2 IP) and 575 strikeouts in 191 career minor league appearances, including 108 starts, over six seasons since 2007.  He is currently playing for Leones Del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League.

Carpenter, 27, was acquired from the Blue Jays on October 21.  He is 1-5 with one save, a 5.70 ERA (38 ER/60.0 IP), 60 strikeouts and 29 walks allowed over 67 career Major League outings, all in relief, with the Astros (2011-12) and Blue Jays (2012).  Last year, he combined to post an 8.07 ERA (29 ER/32.1 IP) in 33 Big League games between the two clubs.  He also went 1-1 with four saves and a 3.08 ERA (9 ER/26.1 IP) in 23 minor league games between Houston and Toronto’s Triple-A affiliates in 2012. 

De Jesus, acquired from the Dodgers in the nine-player trade on August 25, played in 31 Major League games between Los Angeles and Boston in 2012.  The 25-year-old went 9-for-41 (.220) between the two stops with four RBI and five runs.  De Jesus also combined to hit .304 (76-for-250) with 13 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 33 RBI and 37 runs scored in 67 Triple-A games between the two organizations this past season.  A second-round pick by Los Angeles in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, he has hit .205 (15-for-73) with three doubles, five RBI and seven runs over 48 career Major League games.

Rosario was claimed by Boston off waivers from the Miami Marlins on October 17.  The 27-year-old has appeared in 10 career Big League outings over the last three campaigns, all for the Marlins.  In 25 relief appearances for Miami’s Triple-A New Orleans club last season, he posted a 1.04 ERA (3 ER/26.0 IP) with 16 saves.  Signed as an international free agent in 2004, Rosario is 30-18 with 47 saves, a 3.15 ERA (137 ER/391.0 IP) and 403 strikeouts over 181 career minor league outings, including 35 starts, in the Marlins system.

The 25-year-old Stewart went 0-2, allowing 14 runs in 5.2 innings, in two starts with the Red Sox this season after being acquired from the White Sox on June 24.  In 11 regular-season starts for the PawSox in 2012, he went 3-5 with a 3.94 ERA (26 ER/59.1 IP) and 42 strikeouts compared to 14 walks.  Selected by the Reds in the third round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, Stewart began the season with 18 games (1 start) for the White Sox and has pitched in 32 career Major League games (14 starts) for the Blue Jays (2011), White Sox (2011-12) and Red Sox (2012), posting a 3-10 record with a 6.82 ERA (78 ER/103.0 IP) and 64 strikeouts. 

Valencia, 28, played in 10 games over two stints with Boston in 2012, going 4-for-28 (.143) with a home run and four RBI.  Acquired by the Red Sox from the Twins on August 5, he hit .306 (15-for-49) with three doubles, a home run and eight RBI in 13 regular-season games for Pawtucket and knocked two homers and drove in six runs during the playoffs.  Selected by Minnesota in the 19^th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, the right-handed hitter owns a .257 average (261-for-1,017) with 52 doubles, four triples, 25 home runs, 133 RBI, 107 runs and 63 walks in 283 career Major League games with the Twins (2010-12) and Red Sox (2012).

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New Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell continues to put together his coaching staff as Pawtucket Red Sox manager Arnie Beyeler has been named his first base coach.

It's a well deserved promotion for Beyeler who led the PawSox to the International League title in 2012.

Here's the release from the Red Sox:

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today named Arnie Beyeler as the club’s Major League first base coach.  Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington and Manager John Farrell made the announcement.
 
The 2013 campaign will mark Beyeler’s first on a Major League staff and 10th in Boston’s system.  He served as a minor league manager in the Red Sox organization from 2000-02 and 2007-2012, guiding his clubs to a 585-553 (.514) record and four playoff appearances in that time.  In 13 seasons overall as a minor league manager, including three with Rangers organization from 2003-05, he has compiled an 802-756 (.515) record and reached the playoffs six times.
 
“Arnie has had a successful professional career as a player, coach, and manager,” said Farrell.  “This allows him to bring a wealth of experience to this position.”
 
The 48-year-old Beyeler spent the last two seasons as the manager of Boston’s Triple-A Pawtucket affiliate and became just the third manager ever to lead the PawSox to the post-season in consecutive years.  His 2012 team won the Governors’ Cup, marking Pawtucket’s first International League Championship in 28 years.  He also saw 23 of his players contribute to the Red Sox at the Major League level this past season.
 
Beyeler was at the helm of Boston’s Double-A Portland club from 2007-10 and led the Sea Dogs to a pair of Eastern League playoff berths in 2007 and 2008.  He was named the Eastern League’s top managerial prospect by Baseball America in 2010.  Beyeler’s first managerial experience came with the Red Sox’ Short-A Lowell affiliate in 2000-01, followed by a year with Single-A Augusta in 2002.
 
Between stints with the Red Sox organization, he managed the Rangers’ High-A California League affiliate in Stockton (2003-04) and Bakersfield (2005), leading Stockton to the California League playoffs in 2003 and 2004.  In 2006, he served as hitting coach for San Diego’s Double-A Mobile affiliate.
 
After his playing days, Beyeler served as the Florida area scout for the Detroit Tigers from 1992-96 before spending three years in the New York Yankees system as a batting and infield coach for Triple-A Columbus (1997) and Double-A Norwich (1998-99).
 
Beyeler played six seasons of minor league baseball in the Tigers system from 1986-91, reaching as high as Triple-A Toledo in his final professional campaign.  His best season came in 1987 when he hit .285 with 20 stolen bases in 117 games at Single-A Fayetteville, playing alongside Red Sox Bench Coach Torey Lovullo.
 
A native of Moab, Utah, Beyeler graduated from Wichita State University, where he earned all-conference honors in all three seasons from 1984-86 and was tabbed to the all-region team in 1985.  He also attended Lamar Community College in Colorado.

And if you feel like placing a wager on the upcoming Red Sox's games then there is only one place to do it. Visit Betfair to get some great odds, and while you're waiting for the next game, try your hand at some Betfair Blackjack to see if you can hit 21.

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After the bye week, UConn Huskies head coach Paul Pasqualoni has released his depth chart for Saturday's road tilt against the Louisville Cardinals.

There is only one change to the depth chart from the one against the Pitt Panthers and it comes at a backup position. Wilbert Lee is now listed as the backup to Ty-Meer Brown at safety instead of Jordan Floyd.

For a full look at the UConn Huskies depth chart for the Louisville Cardinals click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

OFFENSE

LT: 72 Jimmy Bennett (RSr., 6-9, 309)
78 Dalton Gifford (RFr., 6-5, 297)

LG 69 Steve Greene (RJr., 6-5, 309)
60 Tyler Samra (Fr., 6-3, 250)

C: 50 Tyler Bullock (RJr., 6-4, 302)
73 Alex Mateas (RSo., 6-3, 293)

RG: 65 Gus Cruz (RSo., 6-2, 306)
68 Bryan Paull (RSo., 6-3, 298)

RT: 77 Kevin Friend (RJr., 6-6, 295)
75 Xavier Hemingway (RFr., 6-4, 262)

TE: 89 John Delahunt (RSr., 6-3, 243)
94 Ryan Griffin (RSr., 6-6, 247)

WR: 6 Michael Smith (Sr., 6-0, 201) OR
31 Nick Williams (Sr., 5-10, 184)
84 Tebucky Jones (RSo., 6-0, 185)

FB: 47 Reuben Frank (RSo., 6-3, 239)
25 Martin Hyppolite (RJr., 6-0, 214)

QB: 10 Chandler Whitmer (RSo., 6-1, 191)
18 Johnny McEntee (RSr., 6-3, 208)

TB: 43 Lyle McCombs (RSo., 5-8, 166)
44 Max DeLorenzo (RFr., 5-11, 213)

WR: 85 Geremy Davis (RSo., 6-1, 214)
8 Shakim Phillips (RSo., 6-1, 200)

DEFENSE

DE: 48 Trevardo Williams (Sr., 6-2, 233)
51 Tim Willman (RJr., 6-4, 270)

DT: 53 Ryan Wirth (RSr., 6-3, 271)
92 Mykal Myers (Fr., 6-0, 300)

DT: 59 Shamar Stephen (RJr., 6-5, 317)
90 Julian Campenni (RFr., 5-11, 281)

DE: 56 Angelo Pruitt (RSo., 6-3, 296)
97 B.J. McBryde (RSo., 6-5, 301)

OLB: 3 Sio Moore (RSr., 6-2, 229)
32 Jefferson Ashiru (RFr., 6-1, 227)

ILB: 33 Yawin Smallwood (Rso., 6-3, 235)
46 Marquise Vann (RFr., 6-0, 224)

ILB: 28 Jory Johnson (RSr., 6-1, 227)
52 Ryan Donohue (Sr., 6-0, 242)

CB: 5 Blidi Wreh-Wilson (RSr., 6-2, 190)
29 Taylor Mack (Jr., 5-9, 170)

S: 16 Byron Jones (RSo., 6-1, 192)
22 Andrew Adams (RFr., 6-0, 186)

S: 15 Ty-Meer Brown (RSo., 6-0, 193)
23 Wilbert Lee (RFr., 6-1, 204)

CB: 7 Dwayne Gratz (RSr., 6-0, 198)
12 David Stevenson (RFr., 5-8, 173)

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: 13 Chad Christen (RJr., 6-1, 202)
17 Bobby Puyol (Fr., 6-0, 170)

P: 86 Cole Wagner (RJr., 6-2, 211)
13 Chad Christen (RJr., 6-1, 202)

HL: 86 Cole Wagner (RJr., 6-2, 211)
17 Blaise Driscoll (Sr., 6-1, 189)

KR: 31 Nick Williams (Sr., 5-10, 184)
29 Taylor Mack (Jr., 5-9, 170)

PR: 31 Nick Williams (Sr., 5-10, 184)
29 Taylor Mack (Jr., 5-9, 170)

LS: 67 Adam Mueller (Jr., 6-1, 225)
66 Dominick Manco (RFr., 6-0, 239)

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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. 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

UConn's defense to be tested by Bridgewater [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn Football Team Needs to Beat Louisville [hartford courant]

UConn Women's Basketball links

Stokes gives UConn something in reserve [carl adamec – sny.com]

Freshmen Used Solid Second Half To Overcome Slow Start Sunday [rich elliott – ct post]

Latest conference realignment news caught Geno by surprise [jim fuller – new haven register]

Three points from Sunday's win over Texas A&M [new haven register]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Notes, Quotes, Thoughts From The Huskies’ First Loss [dom amore – hartford courant]

What’s It Like Watching A Game With Jim Calhoun? [dom amore – hartford courant]

Warde Manuel on ACC (Not Much), Kevin Ollie (A Lot) [david borges – new haven register]

Kevin Ollie, Steve Alford on Paradise Jam Title Tilt [david borges – new haven register]

Progress Report on Ollie: So far, so good [kevin duffy – ct post]

Glaring Warts [uconn huskies basketball]

 UConn falls to New Mexico in Jam final [ct post]

New Mexico Holds Off UConn Surge For Paradise Jam Title [hartford courant]

Manuel Says He's Impressed With Ollie [hartford courant]

Huskies fall to New Mexico in Paradise Jam final [new haven register]

Other UConn related links

Maryland jumps to B1G, will UConn jump to ACC? [chris elsberry – ct post]

Is UConn next? [john silver – sny.com]

Baseball. UConn Baseball Announces 2013 Slate [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Dave Berard To Interview With Better CT at 3 p.m. Tuesday [uconnhuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Four Field Hockey Standouts Named All-Americans [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn's Manuel on move to ACC: 'It's too soon for any comment' [ct post]

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Trips to tropical locations usually bodes for well for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team. They've won three of the four tournaments they've played.

They had won the Paradise Jam in 2008, a tournament they were playing in the finals in 2012. They've also won the Maui Inviational twice. The trip last year to the Bahamas didn't go as planned.

And unfortunately, the Huskies had to settle for second place in the 2012 Paradise Jam as they were beaten by the New Mexico Lobos 66-60 at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. on Monday night.

The 21/23 Huskies fall to 4-1 on the season. New Mexico improves to 4-0 on the season.

UConn was led by the reigning Big East Player of the Week Shabazz Napier who had 23 points and four assists. Ryan Boatright added 12 points while Omar Calhoun added 10 points and five rebounds.

DeAndre Daniels and Niels Giffey both had five rebounds with Daniels chipping in with nine points.

Kendall Williams led New Mexico with 15 points and five assists while pulling down five rebounds. Hugh Greenwood added 12 points and a game-high seven rebounds. Tony Snell had 11 points and Alex Kirk rounded out the Lobos in double digits with 10 points.

The Huskies found themselves down in a hole more than a few times in this game and they never quit. They actually battled back to take the lead late in the game before New Mexico got hot again and closed out the win.

I really think that's going to be the theme of this season. You're going to see a UConn team that goes out and there gives 110% every game.

UConn Huskies vs New Mexico Lobos 2012 Paradie Jam Finals box score

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photo credit: thomas layer – special to hartford courant (no. 3 in gallery)

Spring training is just around the corner as the Boston Red Sox have released their 2013 Spring Training Schedule.

Here's the release:

The Boston Red Sox today announced their 2013 Spring Training schedule, which features 38 games, including 35 against Major League opponents.  The Red Sox will host 20 games at their Spring Training home, JetBlue Park at Fenway South, in the second season of the state-of-the-art complex in Lee County, FL.  Tickets for Spring Training games at JetBlue Park will go on sale Saturday, December 8, at 10 a.m.  

Tickets will remain at 2012 prices and can be purchased at the JetBlue Park box office, online at redsox.com, or by phone at 888-REDSOX6.  Fans who require ADA accessible seating may call 877-REDSOX9.  Hearing impaired fans may call the Red Sox TTY line at (617) 226-6644.

The Red Sox will open their Spring Training slate on Thursday, February 21, with a single-admission doubleheader against the Northeastern University Huskies and the Boston College Eagles.  The first game begins at 1:35 p.m.

The Red Sox launch their Grapefruit League schedule at home on Saturday, February 23, at 1:35 p.m. against the Rays, the first of six spring match-ups with their division foe.  They host Tampa Bay twice more, including St. Patrick's Day, Sunday, March 17, at 1:35 p.m.  Boston plays at home against the New York Yankees on Sunday, March 3, at 1:35 p.m. and plays them in Tampa, Wednesday, March 20, at 1:05 p.m.  Additional division matchups include five tilts with the Orioles and three with the Blue Jays.  

The Red Sox are scheduled to face their cross-town rival Minnesota Twins a total of eight times, with four contests each at JetBlue Park and Hammond Stadium.  Boston has eight scheduled night games this spring, including seven at home.

Additionally, with the third World Baseball Classic taking place in March, the Red Sox will host Team Puerto Rico at JetBlue Park in an exhibition game on Tuesday, March 5, at 7:05 p.m.  Tickets for this special game will be available at half-price.

Prior to the start of the exhibition season, the Red Sox will hold workouts at the organization's Player Development Complex at Fenway South.  The first workout for pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12, and the first full squad workout is set for Friday, February 15.  All workouts are open to the public, free of charge.

All dates and times are subject to change.

2013 Boston Red Sox Spring Training schedule

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A nice honor for the man who carried the UConn Huskies men's basketball team to a 3-0 week last week.

Here's the release from UConn:

STORRS, Conn. – University of Connecticut junior guard Shabazz Napier (Roxbury, Mass.) has been named BIG EAST Player of the Week on Monday, as announced by the BIG EAST Conference in Providence, R.I. Napier led the Huskies to a 3-0 week with 19.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

Napier has hit for double digits in all four games this season as the Huskies have started out 4-0 and jumped to No. 23 in the national rankings.

Napier most recently tallied a career-high 29 points in an 89-83 double-overtime victory over Quinnipiac in the semifinal of the Paradise Jam. UConn's junior captain shot 11-12 from the free-throw line to go with five rebounds and two steals.

He opened the week with 13 points and four rebounds in a 67-49 win over Vermont at Gampel Pavilion on Tuesday, November 13.

In the opener of the Paradise Jam on Friday, November 16 against Wake Forest, Napier tallied 16 points and four rebounds to lead UConn, 77-71. Napier was sensational from the charity strip against Wake Forest as well, going 9-11.

On the week, he shot 25-29 for 86.2-percent from the free-throw line.

On the season, Napier is averaging 20.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 88.6-percent from the line.

Connecticut will play New Mexico in the championship of the Paradise Jam at 10 p.m. EST on Monday night. That game will be televised live on CBS College Sports Network.

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photo credit: thomas layer – special to hartford courant (no.  2 in gallery)

It's going to be interesting/fun to watch to see how many of these Breanna Stewart wins this season.

Here's the release:

STORRS, Conn.  – Freshman standout Breanna Stewart has had a stellar start to her first season as a Husky and was tabbed as the 2012-13 inaugural BIG EAST Freshman of the Week on Monday afternoon.

The Syracuse, N.Y. native averaged 16 points per game in her 21 minutes per game on UConn’s 2-0 week. Stewart, the BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year, posted 21 points in her collegiate debut going 8-for-11 from the floor and added five rebounds and six steals.

Junior Stefanie Dolson was selected to this week’s BIG EAST Honor Roll. Dolson is averaging team-highs of 17.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Dolson recorded a new career-high eight assists in Connecticut’s win over College of Charleston. She registered 20 points in the first half of UConn’s 81-50 victory over No. 16 Texas A&M en route to tying her career-best of 24 points.

The Huskies are back in action on Thursday at the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam when they open the three-game stint against Wake Forest at 6 p.m. on Thursday night. The Huskies will then play Marist on Friday at 8:15 p.m. and Purdue at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday.

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photo credit: us presswire (no. 19 in gallery)

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. 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.

It's gameday for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team as they are in the Virgin Islands for the 2012 Paradise Jam. They will take on the New Mexico Lobos in the finals at 10 p.m. The game will be televised on the CBS Sports Network. You can also listen on the IMG/UConn Radio Network.

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

UConn Men's Basketball links

UConn 89, Quinnipiac 83 (2 OT), Post-Game Reaction From Both Teams [dom amore – hartford courant]

UConn Avoids Upset, Beats Quinnipiac in Double-OT [david borges – new haven register]

Rivalry born in St. Thomas? [kevin duffy – ct post]

Will To Win [uconn huskies basketball]

UConn men rally to beat Quinnipiac in double OT [ct post]

UConn Survives In Double OT [hartford courant]

UConn slips past Quinnipiac in double overtime [new haven register]

New Mexico-UConn Preview [foxsports.com]

UConn Football links

Big East power rankings [andrea adelson – espn.com]

Two former Huskies in Grey Cup final [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn Women's Basketball links

Dolson dominates as UConn pulls rank on A&M [carl adamec – sny.com]

UConn Rolls Over Texas A&M [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Could UConn’s Big East Future Still Be In Doubt? [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Hartley Continues To Progress [rich elliott – ct post]

Stokes Makes An Impact Inside For The Huskies [rich elliott – ct post]

Dolson dominates; Hartley close to return [jim fuller – new haven register]

Huskies dazzle in second half in road opener [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn defeats Texas A&M 81-50 [ct post]

UConn Rolls Against Texas A&M [hartford courant]

Geno: Wait And See About Possible Conference Changes [hartford courant]

Huskies run away from Texas A&M in second half [new haven register]

Huskies hoping to add some more talent from Texas [new haven register]

UConn thrashes Texas A&M 81-50 [the eagle]

Other UConn related links

W. Ice Hockey. Huskies and Saints Draw, 2-2 [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Diouf Leads UConn Past Northeastern, 1-0, In NCAA Second Round [uconnhuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Four Huskies Tabbed Synapse Sports All-Americans [uconnhuskies.com]

In Storrs, Waiting By The Phone For The ACC [hartford courant]

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

It's been since 1986 when the UConn Huskies men's basketball team last lost to an in-state team.

Since a 49-48 loss to the Hartford Hawks that year, which happened to be former coach Jim Calhoun's first year at the helm, the Huskies are 66-0 against teams from the state. Late on Sunday night in the 2012 Paradise Jam, they almost saw that streak come to an end.

If it weren't for a Shabazz Napier three-pointer late in regulation, we'd be talking about a loss instead of a win.

Napier was huge in both overtimes as he made his free throws to help UConn hold off the Quinnipiac Bobcats 89-83 in double overtime at  the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

UConn improves to 4-0 on the season and will take on the New Mexico Lobos for the 2012 Paradise Jam title on Monday night at 10 p.m. Quinnipiac falls to 2-2 and will face the George Mason Patriots in the consolation game.

Napier finished with a career-high 29 points, 23 of them coming in the second half and both overtimes. Ryan Boatright added 18 points and four assists while Omar Calhoun had 17 points and five rebounds.

Tyler Olander led UConn with seven rebounds to go along with his five points before fouling out.

Dave Johnson paced the Bobcats with 16 points and had five rebounds and four assists. Garvey Young had 14 points while Jamee Jackson added 13 points and seven rebounds. Ike Azotam rounded out the Bobcats in double-digits with 10 points and he had a game-high nine rebounds.

UConn Huskies vs Quinnipiac Bobcats 2012 Paradise Jam Box score

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

photo credit: thomas layer – special to hartford courant (no.  2 in gallery)