UConn Huskies women’s basketball freshman Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis picked up her sixth Big East Freshman of the Week honors on Monday. She only needs four more to tie former Husky Maya Moore’s record of being named ten times.

Here’s the release:

STORRS, Conn. – Freshman forward Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis earned her sixth BIG EAST weekly accolade of her career as she was tabbed the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week for the second consecutive week as announced by the conference office on Monday.

Mosqueda-Lewis, chosen as the 2011-12 BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year, gets the nod after averaging 16.7 ppp and 6.7 rpg in a 3-0 week for Connecticut. UConn defeated two ranked opponents this week with an 86-35 win over No. 24 North Carolina and an 88-44 win over No. 21 DePaul.

Mosqueda-Lewis shot 39 percent from the field and 40 percent from the three as she tallied double-figures in all three games with 15 against UNC and 10 against Cincinnati. She recorded her third 25-point night of the season as she led the Huskies over No. 21 DePaul, while also leading the team in rebounds with seven.

Notre Dame’s Devereaux Peters was named as the Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the BIG EAST. Peters averaged 19.5 ppg in an average of 20 minutes per game.

The Huskies return to the court on Wednesday, Jan. 25, to take on Syracuse at 7 p.m. in Syracuse, N.Y. The game will be televised on CPTV.

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

Photo credit: Cloe Poisson – Hartford Courant

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 some of the other sports. 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 Men’s Basketball links

UConn Men Feeling Ryan Boatright’s Absence [Hartford Courant]

Huskies looking for bigger effort from their big men [New Haven Register]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Huskies Shutdown Martin, DePaul In 44-Point Win On The Road [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Kelly Faris Emerging As Leader UConn Women Need [Hartford Courant]

Challenging stretch speeds up learning curve for Huskies [New Haven Register]

Doty’s knee a cause for concern [The Hour]

UConn Football links

Big East recruiting needs [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn Football Coach Paul Pasqualoni Talks About Joe Paterno [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

W. Ice Hockey. Women’s Ice Hockey Falls to No. 4 BC, 3-1 [UConnHuskies.com]

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

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 some of the other sports. 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 Men’s Basketball links

Rocky Top, Rocky Times for UConn Right now [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Jim Calhoun’s Take [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Wrapping Things Up from Knoxville [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

the wrap [Ed Daigneault – The Republican-American]

The problem with UConn Men: There’s no team in Huskies [John Nash – The Hour]

Crossroads [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Tennessee holds off No. 13 UConn men [CT Post]

It’s up to Alex Oriakhi to turn the corner [CT Post]

UConn Men Lose To Tennessee, 60-57 [Hartford Courant]

Tennessee’s Stokes, Late Arrival, Hurts UConn [Hartford Courant]

Huskies ‘outworked’ in loss to Vols [New Haven Register]

Former Husky recruit Jarnell Stokes making immediate impact for Tennessee [New Haven Register]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn’s defense too much for overmatched DePaul [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Auriemma Says “No Alarm At All” About Doty [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Geno Auriemma on DePaul’s Doug Bruno [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Faris Takes The Reins [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Postgame Reaction On Doty’s Knee Soreness [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Mosqueda-Lewis, UConn women rock DePaul [CT Post]

UConn Women Rout DePaul, 88-44 [Hartford Courant]

Auriemma Talks Of Other Passion: Coaching USA Basketball [Hartford Courant]

Huskies double up DePaul [New Haven Register]

Doug Bruno shares Geno Auriemma’s philosophy [New Haven Register]

Other UConn related links

M. Ice Hockey. Men’s Hockey Falls To Robert Morris, 2-1 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Swimming. Women’s Swimming And Diving Defeats Seton Hall [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Swimming. Men’s And Women’s Swimming & Diving Top Seton Hall [UConnHuskies.com]

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

Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington had been doing his best to get all of his arbitration-eligible players signed before last Tuesday’s noon deadline of exchanging salary figures. When that deadline came and passed, he had four players to work out contracts with.

Among those four was Daniel Bard.

Well now, it’s down to three as the Red Sox and Bard avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one year, $1.625 million deal. Bard had asked for $1.825 million while the Red Sox were offering $1.4 million. Bard was eligible for arbitration as a Super-Two. He made $505,000 last year.

Bard was told during the offseason that he will be given a chance to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. If he doesn’t stick as a starter, he’ll return to a revamped Red Sox bullpen in 2012.

He was 2-9 with a 3.33 ERA and one save in 70 appearances last year. In 192 career games over 2.5 seasons, Bard is 5-13 with a 2.88 ERA and five saves in 192 appearances.

Cherington now has to try and reach deals with Alfredo Aceves, the newly acquired Andrew Bailey and David Ortiz before they go to arbitration sometime in February.

Aceves is seeking $1.6 million was the Red Sox are offering $900,000. Bailey is looking for $4.7 million while the Red Sox are offering $3.35 million. Big Papi is asking for $16.5 million while the Red Sox are looking to pay him $12.65 million.

Of the three, the most likely scenario is that Big Papi ends up going to arbitration.

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

Photo credit: AP Photo

If Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies women’s basketball team keeps beating his friends’ teams badly, he’s going to end up with no friends.

Last Saturday, it was Harry Perretta’s Villanova Wildcats squad. This Saturday, it was his Olympic assistant coach and good friend Doug Bruno’s DePaul Blue Demons.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis scored 25 points to help the Huskies to a relatively easy 88-44 win over the Blue Demons in front of 4,001 at McGrath-Phillips Arena in Chicago, IL.

The No. 3 Huskies, who completed a 3-0 week which included wins over two ranked teams, improve to 17-2 (6-1 Big East). The injury-depleted Blue Demons fall to 15-5 (3-3).

Besides tying her career-high of 25 points, KML pulled down seven rebounds. Tiffany Hayes added 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals while Stefanie Dolson had 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Bria Hartley chipped in with 10 points and six steals but had five turnovers.

As usual, Kelly Faris had a nice all around game with eight points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocked shots.

Brittany Hrynko led the Blue Demons with 18 points and four rebounds but she did turn the ball over nine times.  Jasmine Penny added seven points while Deanna Ortiz had six. DePaul’s leading scorer, Anna Martin, was held scoreless.

As the game of basketball goes, so do the runs.

The Huskies started this game out with an 11-0 run before DePaul finally got on the scoreboard on a Katherine Harry jumper with 16:14 to go in the half. UConn followed that run with an 11-3 run to open up a 17 point lead.

Over the next six or so minutes the play was a little helter skelter as both teams had trouble scoring and taking care of the ball. DePaul would work UConn’s lead down to 12 a few times before things started clicking for them.

With a 32-16 lead, the Huskies seized control of the game with a 21-4 run to push their lead to 33 points at 53-20. Hrynko hit two free throws just before halftime to cut UConn’s lead to 31 points.

Within the first six minutes of the half, UConn worked the lead up to 40 points and allowed Auriemma to rest his starters and get the bench some more work.

The one bad thing to come from the game was the fact that Caroline Doty tweaked her knee in the first half after playing just two minutes. There wasn’t any noticeable play where she did it but it could have come from the fact that UConn just played on Thursday night and then had an awful travel day on Friday with the weather that plagued the Midwest before hitting the Northeast on Saturday.

The Huskies couldn’t land in Chicago due to the inclement weather so they were forced to Indianpolis and then took a five hour snowy bus ride to get to Chicago. So without speculating, I’m going to say that’s probably what helped force Doty from the game. Hopefully, it turns out to be nothing and she’ll be back on the court next time out.

That next time out will come on Wednesday night when the Huskies head to upstate New York for a matchup with the Syracuse Orange. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised locally in Connecticut on CPTV.

To continue reading the UConn Huskies @ DePaul Blue Demons recap, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Notes and musings:

UConn Huskies @ DePaul Blue Demons 1.21.12 box score

UConn ended DePaul’s 28-game home winning streak. Ironically enough, UConn was the last team to beat them at home back on February 10, 2010.

The starters for the Huskies were the usual five of Bria Hartley, Caroline Doty, Tiffany Hayes, Kelly Faris and Stefanie Dolson.

Tiffany Hayes has now scored in double figures in eight straight games.

UConn shot 54.7% (29-53) from the floor while the Blue Demons shot 27.8% (15-54).

The Huskies had 19 assists on their 29 made baskets.

UConn shot 47.4% (9-19) from beyond the arc while DePaul shot 30.8% (8-26).

The Huskies went 21-of-26 (80.8%) from the charity stripe.

UConn dominated the glass, outrebounding the Blue Demons 48-22.

The Huskies scored 33 points off of 23 DePaul turnovers. The Blue Demons nine points off 19 UConn turnovers.

UConn outscored DePaul 30-8 in the paint and just 4-2 on the fast break.

The Huskies had 20 second chance points to eight for the Blue Demons.

UConn’s bench had 46 points.

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

Photo credit: AP Photo

Given the inconsistent play from his UConn Huskies team at times this season, it makes you wonder if Jim Calhoun is thinking that maybe he should have retired on top after they won the 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.

Jarnell Stokes, playing in just his third collegiate game, scored 16 points to help the Tennessee Volunteers to the 60-57 upset win over the Huskies in front of 21,114 at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN on Saturday afternoon.

It’s the second straight loss for the Huskies, a feat that’s been accomplished twice now this season, who fall to 14-5. The Volunteers ended their three-game losing streak and improve to 9-10.

Jeremy Lamb woke up from his slumber to lead UConn with 23 points. Shabazz Napier added 18 points, four rebounds and four assists while Andre Drummond had six points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Besides his 16 points, Stokes added 12 rebounds for a double-double and also had two blocks. Cameron Tatum was the only other Volunteer in double figures with 15 points.

The Huskies jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first two and half minutes of the game before the Volunteers responded with a 7-2 run to take a one point lead. After an exchange of baskets, Tennessee went on a 6-0 run to open up a five point lead.

UConn bounced back with a 5-0 run capped off by a Napier three to tie the game back up. The two teams would stay close for the rest of the first half with Tennessee’s biggest lead coming at three points and UConn’s at two points. They’d also have four more ties as well.

The Huskies did hold a two point lead at the half at 27-25 but the Volunteers would take the lead for good by opening up the half on a 9-0 run to open up a seven point lead. UConn would respond with a 6-0 run to cut the lead to one but that’s the closest they would get.

Tennessee would build their lead to 10 points at 53-43 with 3:15 to go before UConn would battle back. Part of the reason that UConn was able to get back in the game was the fact that the Volunteers couldn’t make a free throw.

But down the stretch run while Lamb and Napier would hit threes, Tennessee would hit 7-of-10 free throws to seal the three point win.

We know the Huskies really miss Ryan Boatright. It was definitely evident in the loss.

Sure it was nice to see Lamb get involved with the offense again but the problem was the only two who really could do anything were Lamb and Napier. The problem was that Napier looked tired at times and seemed to be forcing shots, more than likely a result of being fatigued. Having Boatright would have eliminated that.

UConn hasn’t been able to do much in their offensive sets in the two straight losses. The good news is they’ll have eight days to correct the problem.

The Huskies aren’t back in action until next Sunday, January 29th, when they’ll host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

To continue reading the UConn Huskies @ Tennessee Volunteers recap, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Notes and musings:

UConn Huskies @ Tennessee Volunteers 1.21.11 box score

UConn is now 6-3 without Ryan Boatright and 8-2 with him.

The starters for the Huskies were Shabazz Napier, Jeremy Lamb, Niels Giffey, Alex Oriakhi and Andre Drummond.

UConn shot 36.4% (20-55) from the floor while the Volunteers shot 42.3% (22-52).

The Huskies had just eight assists on their 20 made baskets.

Both teams were 6-of-18 (33.3%) from beyond the arc.

UConn was 11-of-17 (64.7%) from the free throw line. That’s not going to win ball games. Tennessee was 10-of-21 (47.6%) but as I said above, they hit 7-of-10 down the stretch.

The Volunteers outscored the Huskies 22-20 in the paint.

UConn outscored Tennessee 5-2 on the fast break.

The Huskies had nine points off of 10 Tennessee turnovers. The Volunteers had 11 points off of 11 UConn turnovers.

UConn outrebounded Tennessee 39-37.

The Huskies had nine second chance points to four for the Volunteers.

UConn got no production from its bench.

The Huskies wore shirts in pre-game warmups that support Tennessee women’s coach Pat Summitt who is battling dementia.

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

Photo credit: AP Photo

Yesterday, there were rumors out there that the Boston Red Sox were going to be shipping Marco Scutaro to the Colorado Rockies. Those rumors ended up being shot down just a few hours later.

24 hours later, it appears that the move is happening.

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Red Sox have traded Scutaro to the Rockies. In return, the Red Sox will receive relief pitcher Clayton Mortensen.

For the Red Sox, it’s a salary dump of $6 million which could mean that they possibly have something in the works for another starting pitcher whether it be a free agent or in a trade. They have had interest in free agent Roy Oswalt during the offseason but had been waiting for his price to come down.

Edwin Jackson is also available on the free agent market but the rumors are that he’s been looking for a long-term deal. That is something the Red Sox aren’t looking to do.

The big question right now is who will play shortstop for the Red Sox this season.

Unless they think Jose Iglesias is ready, the odds on favorites to play there are Nick Punto and Mike Aviles. Of course, Aviles is also being considered as part of the competition for the right field spot.

It’s also quite possible the Red Sox are freeing up money to go after another outfielder with the uncertainity of Carl Crawford for the season opener and the aforementioned open right field spot.

In Scutaro’s two years with the Red Sox, he hit .284 with 18 home runs, 110 RBIs and nine stolen bases.

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

Photo credit: Reuters Pictures

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 some of the other sports. 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 game day for the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team as they are in Knoxville, TN for a matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on CBS.

It’s also game day for the UConn women’s basketball team as they are in Chicago, IL for a matchup with the DePaul Blue Demons. Tip is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the game will be broadcast locally in Connecticut on CPTV.

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

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn Supports Summitt, Still Missing Boatright [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Dom answered a questioned in his mailbag [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Know Your Enemy: Tennessee [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Jim Calhoun Spends Thursday at “ESPN Car Wash” [UConnHuskies.com]

Men’s Hoops To Play At Tennessee Saturday at 4 p.m. [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn men next in line of tough foes for Tennessee [CT Post]

Tennessee In Transition, But Still Dangerous, Awaits UConn Men [Hartford Courant]

Showing Respect [Journal Inquirer]

Huskies, Volunteers both in need of a win [New Haven Register]

Huskies need Lamb to be more assertive [The Day]

UConn Men’s Basketball Glance — UConn at Tennessee [The Hour]

Guilty Until Proved Innocent [NY Times]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Another huge game for Breanna Stewart [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Bruno, Gillom, Meadors Named Olympic Assistants Under Auriemma [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

No. 3 UConn Travels To No. 21 DePaul On Saturday [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn’s Mosqueda-Lewis thrives in 6th-man role [CT Post]

Another Big East Game, Another One Of Geno’s Buddies [Hartford Courant]

Freshman Mosqueda-Lewis has 6th sense [Journal Inquirer]

No Maya Moore doesn’t make DePaul coach Doug Bruno feel any better [New Haven Register]

UConn Women’s Basketball Glance — UConn at DePaul [The Hour]

UConn Football links

Big East offseason to-do lists [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Other UConn related links

W. Lacrosse. Lacrosse Picked Sixth In Preseason Coaches Poll [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. Slattery’s Goal Forces OT and Eventual 1-1 Tie at Maine [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Track. Huskies Finish First At Great Dane Classic [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. UConn’s Four-Game Winning Streak Halted By Robert Morris, 4-3 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Track. Women’s Track & Field Earns First Place [UConnHuskies.com]

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

Here’s the press release from UConn announcing that they have received $1.05 million in donations for the proposed basketball practice facility.

STORRS, Conn. – Continuing the momentum generated by the recent announcement of Peter and Pam Werth’s $4.5 million commitment to a new Basketball Development Center, UConn’s Division of Athletics is pleased to report that two additional gifts totaling $1.05 million have been received.

The donors, who have asked to remain anonymous, have each pledged approximately $500,000 to the project. Both are UConn alumni and long-time supporters of the University and the Division of Athletics. The two donors cited the legacy of men’s basketball coach head coach Jim Calhoun, associate head coach George Blaney and the rest of the basketball staff, along with the goal of future NCAA championships, as the primary motivation for the gifts.

“Our supporters continue to show their generosity and enthusiasm as we move closer to making this project a reality,” said Paul Pendergast, UConn’s Interim Director of Athletics. “These individuals are dedicated supporters of our programs and truly understand the value of providing top-notch facilities so that our student-athletes can perform to the best of their abilities in both academics and athletics.”

The Basketball Development Center will be a 70,000 square foot facility to be located on the current Memorial Stadium site, and is the first major construction project at UConn to be funded entirely through private donations. It will feature dedicated practice gyms for the men’s and women’s basketball programs, along with locker rooms, coaches’ offices and areas for academic support, video analysis, sports medicine and strength training.

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

Photo credit: UConnHuskies.com

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 some of the other sports. 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 Men’s Basketball links

Jim Calhoun Talks Cincinnati, Syracuse, and Tennessee [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Grading the Huskies Versus Cincinnati [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

UConn-Cincinnati the day after [Neill Ostrout – Journal Inquirer]

Calhoun Not Pleased With UConn’s Big Men [Hartford Courant]

UConn without Kemba Walker [CBSSports.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Playing friends not always easy for Auriemma [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Effort plays deliver UConn women [CT Post]

Huskies Put A Gentle Beating On Bearcats [Hartford Courant]

Having Stronger Dolson And Hartley Bodes Well For UConn [Hartford Courant]

UConn: A Place Where Not Everyone Knows Elliott’s Name [Hartford Courant]

Tiffany Hayes leads charge past Cincinnati [New Haven Register]

Geno Auriemma improves to 13-0 against former players and assistants [New Haven Register]

Huskies turn up the heat [The Day]

UConn Football links

Can UConn surprise? [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East’s most improved players [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Huge Recruiting Weekend For UConn Football [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

W. Track. Women’s Track & Field Set For Great Dane Classic [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Track. Huskies Set For Great Dane Classic [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Golf. Men’s Golf Faces Challenging Spring Schedule [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Huskies To Host Robert Morris Friday and Saturday Night [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Field Hockey Honored At Women’s Basketball Game [UConnHuskies.com]

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