According to Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant via Twitter, wide receiver Leon Kinnard has been granted his release from the UConn Huskies football program by head coach Paul Pasqualoni.

Wide receiver #LeonKinnard was granted his release today and will be leaving the #UConn program for an opportunity to play. He said Division I-AA is a likely spot. He leaves Storrs Friday.

Kinnard probably wouldn’t have seen much time at the receiver position as he was listed in an or situation as the backup to the backup wide receivers. He saw action in nine games last season and had four rushes for 18 yards. He also completed his only pass attempt for three yards.

He saw a little action on special teams as well as he had two punt returns that went for -3 yards. He also returned one kickoff for 24 yards.

Kinnard had come to UConn as a quarterback but was moved to wide receiver by former coach Randy Edsall. Kinnard was used in some wildcat formations but you can tell from his numbers that it didn’t really work out for him.

It’s quite possible he could have worked his way in the return game but with Nick Williams back, he would need an injury to help him rise through the depth chart there and at wide receiver.

A move to FCS (1-AA) is probably the best thing for him. Once he finds a place to call his new home, he’ll be able to practice and play right away. Had he decided to trasfer to an FBS school, he would have been able to practice but would have had to sit out all of the games as a transfer.

He was also featured in the Hartford Courant recently as well.

Best of luck to Kinnard. You can follow him on Twitter if you want @L_Kinnard8.

Photo credit: AP Photo

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 Football links

Media Day in Newport recap [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

Coach P backs Hathaway [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Media Day videos [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Big East Media Day [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Media day leftovers: McAulay talks rules changes [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Video View: Paul Pasqualoni At Big East Media Day [Shawn Courchesne – Hartford Courant]

Video View: UConn Players At Big East Media Day [Shawn Courchesne – Hartford Courant]

Video View: Coaches At Big East Media Day [Shawn Courchesne – Hartford Courant]

Sights From BIG EAST Football Media Day [UConnHuskies.com]

For Corey Edsall, Big East football all in the family [CT Post]

Big East touts balance at football media day; UConn picked 6th [CT Post]

Unlike Calhoun, Pasqualoni lends support to AD Hathaway [CT Post]

‘Explosive’ Offenses To Shake Up Big East Race [Hartford Courant]

Next Big East TV Contract Most Important Ever [Hartford Courant]

UConn picked sixth, QB biggest question [New Haven Register]

League continues to explore expansion [New Haven Register]

UConn, Hathaway saga has high stakes [New Haven Register]

Paul Pasqualoni backs besieged UConn AD [Norwich Bulletin]

Big East plans future expansion [Norwich Bulletin]

For UConn football, a familiar ring [The Day]

Former Syracuse University football coach Paul Pasqualoni is happy to be home again [Syracuse Post-Standard]

WMU Football Kicks Off at UConn at 3:30 p.m. [WMUBroncos.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Olander Has Bulked Up [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Jeremy Lamb: Greater Hartford Pro-Am Highlights [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn Changes Intinerary For European Trip [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Moore, Gagne Honored; Huskies’ Intinerary in Europe Changes [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Maya Moore Earns Another Prestigious Academic Honor From Capital One [UConnHuskies.com]

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

When you look at all of the big name opponents that the UConn Huskies football team has played outside of the Big East at Rentschler Field, only Boston College (2003) and North Carolina (2009) come to mind. Of course that Boston College game came when the Huskies were still an independent team and the Eagles were still in the Big East.

Now we’ve seen all of the Big East teams come in since Rentschler Field opened in 2003 and obviously the West Virginia Mountaineers are probably the best of the Big East to come through. But in 2012 when the TCU Horned Frogs come to Rentschler Field, we’ll see something like we’ve never seen before there, a football juggernaut.

If you saw the Huskies play in the Fiesta Bowl in January, you could see the difference between the Huskies and the Oklahoma Sooners in terms of size and skill. And before you get on me, the Huskies were pretty good last year, Oklahoma was just way more better.

The Horned Frogs join the Big East next season from the Mountain West Conference where they’ve been the dominant team. They’ve also been ranked nationally and finished the 2010 season as the No. 2 team in the land after beating Wisconsin in the 2011 Rose Bowl.

They are expected to be among the top 10 teams this season and more than likely probably will come in and dominate the Big East for a while starting next year.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

The reason why UConn gets TCU at home in 2012 is because the Huskies are scheduled for just three Big East home games next year (West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati). They also have five non-conference games on the schedule in UMass, NC State, Buffalo, Maryland and Western Michigan.  The first three of the aformentioned games are at the Rent while the final two are on the road.

With eight games in the Big East regular season and the five non-conference games, the Huskies will have to eliminate one of the non-conference games. Chip Malafronte of the New Haven Register asked on Twitter which of the five do you think goes from the schedule.

My answer to him was Maryland.

Now do we really think Randy Edsall wants to play the school right away where he coached for so many years. Probably not. Honestly, I really thought Edsall would have already eliminated that game from the schedule. With UConn having the need to eliminate a game, it should make it all the more easier for Edsall to get rid of it.

I really don’t see UConn eliminating any of the non-conference home games because two of them are probably wins while the N.C. State game is winnable. New head coach Paul Pasqualoni probably won’t want to give up the Western Michigan game on the road since that should be a win too.

With all of that said, Maryland is the logical answer.

Still while we still have this season to be played, Big East conference home games against West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and TCU along with UMass, NC State and Buffalo, there will definitely some great football played at the Rent in 2012.

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

After falling last night in the late innings, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on track in game two of a four-game set with the Cleveland Indians tonight at Historic Fenway Park.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Indians television market, you can watch the game on SportsTime Ohio (STO). And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Josh Beckett makes his 21st start of 2011 for the Red Sox tonight. In his previous 20 starts, Beckett is 9-4 with a 2.17 ERA. He’s made two starts against the Indians this season and is 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA (4 ER/11.2 IP).  Beckett has made nine career starts against the Indians and is 4-5 with a 5.04 ERA. Five of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 3-2 with a 5.06 ERA.

David Huff makes his third start of the season since being recalled from the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. In his previous two outings, Huff is 1-1 with a 0.71 ERA (1 ER/12.2 IP). He’s made two career starts against the Red Sox and is 0-2 with 2.38 ERA (3 ER/11.1 IP). His lone start at the Fens came almost one year ago on August 3rd when he allowed three runs in 5.1 IP. Ironically enough, he was matched up with Beckett in that start last year.

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the morning/early afternoon if you’re on the home page.

Here are this evening’s lineups:

54-52		66-41
1. Michael Brantley	LF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Jason Kipnis	2B	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Asdrubal Cabrera	SS	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Travis Hafner	DH	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Carlos Santana	C	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Kosuke Fukudome	RF	6. Carl Crawford	LF
7. Lonnie Chisenhall	3B	7. Mike Aviles	SS
8. Matt LaPorta	1B	8. Jason Varitek	C
9. Ezequiel Carrera	CF	9. Darnell McDonald	RF
David Huff	SP	Josh Beckett	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:

Notes: Tomorrow night’s starter, Tim Wakefield is celebrating his 45th birthday today. To make room on the 25-man roster for Erik Bedard, who will wear No. 23, Drew Sutton has been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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

AT&T improving cell phone coverage at Fenway Park [Boston Globe]

Terry Francona: Clay Buchholz not ruled out for the season [Clubhouse Insider]

Bedard says hello to Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Clay Buchholz aiming for a postseason return [Clubhouse Insider]

Bedard welcomes ‘great opportunity’ with Sox [CSNNE.com]

Dr. M: Dealing with a stress fracture [CSNNE.com]

Sox give official word of Buchholz stress fracture [CSNNE.com]

Video: Is Bedard a rude dude? [ESPN Boston]

SoxProspects.com: July bests and worsts [ESPN Boston]

Lowrie making his way in Pawtucket [ESPN Boston]

The remarkable comeback of Dustin Pedroia [Extra Bases]

Bedard: ‘Last place to first place in a heartbeat’ [Extra Bases]

Sox not ruling out season for Buchholz [Extra Bases]

Red Sox issue statement on Buchholz [Extra Bases]

John Kruk on M&M: Playing in Boston should bring Erik Bedard to another level [Full Count]

Clay Buchholz’s Absence Opens Up Dose of Vulnerability, But Red Sox Are Strong Enough to Win Without Him [NESN.com]

Darnell McDonald Relies Heavily on Music Routine to Maintain Balance, Mentally Prepare for Games [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz Not Ruling Out 2011 Return, Says He Would Like to Be Back for Postseason [NESN.com]

Erik Bedard Excited for Chance to Pitch In His Favorite Ballpark, Ready for ‘Great Opportunity’ [NESN.com]

Video: Clay Buchholz Ready to Rehab After Getting Diagnosis on Back Injury, Relieved to Know He’s Not a ‘Wuss’ [NESN.com]

Postseason pitching [Projo Sox Blog]

40-man roster logjam won’t be so severe next year [Projo Sox Blog]

Bedard arrives, excited to join pennant race [Projo Sox Blog]

Scutaro OK after heart-rate scare [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett looks to get back on track vs. Tribe [RedSox.com]

Buchholz diagnosed with stress fracture in back [RedSox.com]

Bedard excited to pitch in first pennant race [RedSox.com]

The Adventures of Ellsbury ‘n’ Elf: When a Blogger Calls [Surviving Grady]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

If chicks dig the longball, then they certainly are digging Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera right now. Cabrera hit two two-run homers last night to help the Tribe to a 9-6 win over the Boston Red Sox.

The first home runs he hit last night came off of Red Sox starter John Lackey who after winning four straight starts wasn’t that great last night. But the biggest surprise of the night came when Cabrera’s second home run of the night came off of Daniel Bard. This was the same Bard who came into the game without allowing a run in 26.1 innings.

But a single, one swing of the bat by Cabrera, a replay of previously mentioned swing and a bruised knee later for a fan, Cabrera ended Bard’s scoreless streak. What’s ironic about it all is the fact that Cabrera was the last one to have an RBI against Bard and that was on May 23rd.

It looked like Lackey was well on his way to a good night on the mound as he set the side down in order in the 1st and 2nd innings. But a Josh Reddick throwing error on an Ezequiel Carrera single changed things. Michael Brantley followed the error with a double and just like that the game was tied at 1-1. And oh by the way, those 1-2-3 innings from Lackey were the first and second of the season. Yes the season.

Sure it wasn’t as bad as some of stinkers in the past but giving up five runs in 6.2 innings isn’t good. I must say though that his fastball was great for the most part. It was the location of his offspeed stuff that cost him.

As you might expect whenever the Red Sox offense gets in a hole early on, they always seemingly respond to help out their starter on the mound for that particular night. They got the runs back quickly as a Kevin Youkilis triple scored Adrian Gonzalez. Two batters later, Carl Crawford gave them a two-run advantage with a solo home run that went to the exact same part of the ballpark where his fly ball against the Royals died.

After Cabrera’s first home of the night in the 6th, Travis Hafner followed that with a solo shot. But Jarrod Saltalmacchia’s two-run blast in the bottom half knotted the game at fives leading the way to Bard’s scoreless streak ending.

With the news of Clay Buchholz being out for the season getting ready to be delivered today, the Red Sox need Lackey to be more consistent than he showed last night. He’d looked pretty good in his past four starts, so we can only hope that this was just a bump in the road.

It’s also quite possible that with the addition of Erik Bedard, who by the way will make his Red Sox debut on Thursday, that Lackey could be pitching his way out of a spot in the playoff rotation should the Red Sox get there. But that remains to be seen right now.

Definitely a tough loss for the Red Sox though as they saw their lead in the AL East shrink to one game since the New York Yankees won last night as well over the Chicago White Sox. And with a three-game set looming against the Yankees this weekend at the Fens, it’d be nice to see the Red Sox start the series with the lead.

We’ll be back later today with this evening’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Sox pitchers get thrown for loss [Boston Globe]

Fighting it, but Lackey 3d man in [Boston Globe]

Buchholz has stress fracture [Boston Globe]

Saltalamacchia gets big break [Boston Globe]

Bedard to get the call Thursday [Boston Globe]

Daniel Bard’s scoreless run ends in Sox’ loss to Indians [Boston Herald]

Mistakes cost John Lackey [Boston Herald]

Unable to fill in big hole [Boston Herald]

Clay Buchholz under stress [Boston Herald]

Indians take down Sox late, 9-6 [CSNNE.com]

Nation STATion: In honor of Henri Stanley [CSNNE.com]

Bard comes back down to earth in loss to Indians [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Lackey avoids loss in subpar performance [CSNNE.com]

Rapid Reaction: Indians 9, Sox 6 [ESPN Boston]

Bard tagged by Cabrera again [ESPN Boston]

Closing time: Daniel Bard falters as Red Sox fall to Indians [Full Count]

John Lackey so-so with Red Sox set to deliver Clay Buchholz news [Full Count]

Daniel Bard regrets shaking off Salty and watching his streak come to an end [Full Count]

Local stars wearing throwback uniforms gather to raise money for charity [Full Count]

Video: Terry Francona Says Red Sox Pitching Staff Paid for Mistakes Against Indians, Will Give Update on Clay Buchholz on Tuesday [NESN.com]

Video: Marco Scutaro Feeling Better After Leaving Monday’s Game Due to Dizziness, Unsure What Triggered It [NESN.com]

Daniel Bard, Matt Albers Both See Scoreless Streaks End in Loss to Indians [NESN.com]

Video: Erik Bedard, John Lackey Could Compete for No. 3 Spot in Red Sox Rotation Down Stretch, Potentially Into Postseason [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz’s Absence Opens Up Dose of Vulnerability, But Red Sox Are Strong Enough to Win Without Him [NESN.com]

Darnell McDonald Relies Heavily on Music Routine to Maintain Balance, Mentally Prepare for Games [NESN.com]

Lackey, Bard get hammered as Sox fall [Providence Journal]

Buchholz appears done for season [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Bedard gets the ball Thursday [Providence Journal]

The Adventures of Ellsbury ‘n’ Elf: When a Blogger Calls [Surviving Grady]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother Burning River Baseball.

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

We really shouldn’t be surprised at where the UConn Huskies football team was picked to finish in the Big East this season. After all, there’s a new coach in town and there’s no starting quarterback as of yet.

And that’s not to mention that the two leading rushers on the team are gone (Jordan Todman and Robbie Frey) and leading receiver from 2010, Michael Smith is academically ineligible. Sure UConn won a share of the Big East title last year and went to their first ever BCS game.

But when there’s a lot of questions to be answered before the start of the season, being picked to finish 6th in the Big East this season isn’t a big surprise. Plus haven’t the Huskies been in this situation before as far as the preseason ranking and surprised some people.

Here’s the full look at the 2011 Big East Preseason Football poll which sees as West Virginia as the favorite.

1. West Virgina Mountaineers (21), 188
2. Pittsburgh Panthers (2), 162
3. South Florida Bulls (1), 151
4. Syracuse Orange, 98
5. Cincinnati Bearcats, 96
6. UConn Huskies, 76
7. Louisville Cardinals, 60
8. Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 33

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 Football links

New injury frustrates former UConn WR Easley [CT Post]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

What a Difference a Year Makes [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Date Set for Men’s Basketball National Championship Dinner Celebration [UConnHuskies.com]

Kemba (40 Points) Puts On A Show In Greater Hartford Pro-Am [Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Video of Montgomery’s 50-foot buzzer beater [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Moore named WNBA Rookie of the Month [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Postgame Comments And Final Stats From The U-19s [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Other UConn related links

W. Soccer. Shufelt Excellent in Summer Action for W-League [UConnHuskies.com]

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

After taking two-of-three in Chicago, the Boston Red Sox wrap up their 11-game sojourn through the AL Central starting tonight. They’ll face off with the Cleveland Indians in the first game of a four-game set at Historic Fenway Park.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Indians television market, you can watch the game on SportsTime Ohio (STO). If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as well as ESPN will have national coverage of the game outside of the Red Sox and Indians television markets. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

John Lackey goes for his fifth straight win in as many starts in his 18th start of 2011. He’s received a decision in all 17 of his starts as he is 9-8 with a 6.20 ERA. He has not faced the Indians in 2011. He made one start against the Indians in 2010 (August 2nd) that came at Fenway Park and took the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings of work. He’s made 15 career starts against Indians and is 6-7 with a 4.07 ERA.

Josh Tomlin makes his 22nd start of 2011 for the surprising Indians. In his previous 21 starts, Tomlin is 11-5 with a 4.01 ERA. He’s made one start against the Red Sox in 2011 picking up the win on April 5th. In that start, he allowed one run on three hits in seven innings of work. He’s made two career starts against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA. He took the loss in his lone start at Fenway Park last year after allowing four runs on four hits in seven innings of work.

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the morning/early afternoon if you’re on the home page.

Here are this evening’s lineups:

53-52		66-40
1. Michael Brantley	LF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Jason Kipnis	2B	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Asdrubal Cabrera	SS	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Travis Hafner	DH	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Carlos Santana	C	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Kosuke Fukudome	RF	6. Carl Crawford	LF
7. Matt LaPorta	1B	7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
8. Lonnie Chisenhall	3B	8. Josh Reddick	RF
9. Ezequiel Carrera	CF	9. Marco Scutaro	SS
Josh Tomlin	SP	John Lackey	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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

Terry Francona: No update on Clay Buchholz until tonight or tomorrow [Clubhouse Insider]

Erik Bedard to make Red Sox debut on Thursday, and other rotation notes [Clubhouse Insider]

Notes: Bedard to make Red Sox debut Thursday [CSNNE.com]

Video: What losing Buchholz could mean [ESPN Boston]

Report — Boston Red Sox’s Clay Buchholz has stress fracture [ESPN Boston]

Francona: No Buchholz update … yet [ESPN Boston]

Bedard to debut Thursday at Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Erik Bedard arrives tomorrow [Extra Bases]

How trades work in August [Extra Bases]

After seeing back specialist, Buchholz to talk to Sox staff [Extra Bases]

Bedard to start Thursday, Lester pushed back [Extra Bases]

Mike Salk on M&M: Erik Bedard in Boston ‘ultimate recipe for disaster’ [Full Count]

Red Sox notes: No update on Clay Buchholz, Erik Bedard to start Thursday [Full Count]

Terry Francona: Erik Bedard will get lots of support ‘regardless of how he throws’ [Full Count]

Heidi Watney Gets Authentic Chicago-Style Pizza From Gino’s East in Her Video Diary [NESN.com]

Sources: Erik Bedard to Make Red Sox Debut Thursday Night Against Indians [NESN.com]

Red Sox Map Out Temporary Six-Man Rotation, Will Monitor Erik Bedard’s Workload in Debut Thursday [NESN.com]

John Lackey Could Gain Motivation With Acquisition of Erik Bedard [NESN.com]

Theo Epstein, Clay Buchholz to Come Up With Plan of Action Regarding Injury, But Uncertainty Contributed to Erik Bedard Trade [NESN.com]

Red Sox Fly Through July With Dominant Showing in Historic Month for Club [NESN.com]

Video: Theo Epstein, Red Sox Show Win Now Attitude at Trade Deadline, But Still Keep Top Prospects in Organization [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Indians and Playoff Previews [Projo Sox Blog]

Bard’s streak keeps growing [Projo Sox Blog]

Bedard to debut Thursday [Projo Sox Blog]

Sox had a sweltering July [Projo Sox Blog]

Lackey looking to keep rolling against Tribe [RedSox.com]

Bard regularly shutting down opponents [RedSox.com]

Red Sox sign 10th rounder Cody Koback [SoxProspects.com]

Bedard an obvious gamble, Red Sox still team to beat [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, Getty Images

Here’s the press release from UConn detailing the 2011-12 non-conference schedule for the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team:

STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut basketball program has announced the 2011 non-conference schedule. The Huskies will play 10 non-conference games at home (Including two exhibitions) and four games on the road (Including three games at the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas). Sites for home games (Gampel Pavilion or XL Center) and game times are still to be determined.

UConn will host a pair of teams that competed in the NIT last season (Harvard, Fairfield) and travel to face a Tennessee program that competed in the NCAA Tournament a year ago.

The Huskies will host two exhibition games beginning with Coach Jim Calhoun’s alma mater AIC (Nov. 2) followed by a preseason contest against C.W. Post (Nov. 6).

Connecticut begins the regular season with four straight home non-conference games beginning with Columbia on November 11. UConn will then host Wagner (Nov. 14), Maine (Nov. 17) and Coppin State (Nov. 20) before heading to the Battle 4 Atlantis.

The inaugural Battle 4 Atlantis runs from November 24-26. The Huskies will play three games. The tournament field includes Harvard, Florida State, Utah, UMass, Central Florida, College of Charleston and UNC-Asheville. Connecticut’s opponents and game times are still to be determined.

The Huskies will also compete in the annual BIG EAST/SEC Challenge. For the first time, the games will take place on campus sites with UConn hosting Arkansas on December 3. The Razorbacks finished 2010-11 with an 18-13 overall record.

Connecticut finishes the non-conference home slate against NIT participants Harvard (Dec.7), Holy Cross (Dec. 18) and NIT participants Fairfield (Dec. 22).

The Huskies close out the non-conference schedule on the road against Tennessee. The Volunteers advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season and finished with a 19-15 overall record. UConn hosted Tennessee in 2010-11 and came away with a 72-62 victory at the XL Center on January 22.

All times and locations will be determined at a later date.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

2011-12 Men’s Basketball New Season Ticket Purchases: BUY HERE

CONNECTICUT 2011-12 Men’s Basketball Schedule
Sites for home games (Gampel Pavilion or XL Center) to be determined in September

• Nov. 2 (exh.) AIC
• Nov. 6 (exh.) CW Post
• Nov. 11 Columbia
• Nov. 14 Wagner
• Nov. 17 Maine
• Nov. 20 Coppin State
• Nov. 24-26 Battle 4 Atlantis (Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas)
  UConn, Harvard, Florida State, Utah, Massachusetts,
  Central Florida, College of Charleston, UNC – Asheville
• Dec. 3 Arkansas (BIG EAST/SEC Challenge)
• Dec. 7 Harvard
• Dec. 18 Holy Cross
• Dec. 22 Fairfield
• Jan. 21 at Tennessee

BIG EAST Schedule (Dates to be announced in early September)

BIG EAST Home Games

• CINCINNATI
• DEPAUL
• MARQUETTE
• NOTRE DAME
• PITTSBURGH
• ST. JOHN’S
• SETON HALL
• SYRACUSE
• WEST VIRGINIA

BIG EAST Away Games

• at GEORGETOWN
• at LOUISVILLE
• at NOTRE DAME
• at PROVIDENCE
• at RUTGERS
• at SETON HALL
• at USF
• at SYRACUSE
• at VILLANOVA

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

On a day where one eye was on the television and another watching the trade rumors fly on Twitter, the Boston Red Sox were on the field trying to take the rubber game against the Chicago White Sox. And thanks to yet another Alfredo Aceves great relief effort and a clutch hit from Dustin Pedroia, the Red Sox did exactly that in a 5-3 win.

With the uncertainty of the news about the health of Clay Buchholz and rumors out there the Red Sox were looking for a starting pitcher, Andrew Miller took to the mound possibly pitching for his spot in the Red Sox rotation and maybe even his roster spot. In his past few starts, he’s had some control issues. That wasn’t the case yesterday, instead it was the amount of hits he gave up.

Long after he had left the game, the Red Sox had acquired oft-injured starter Erik Bedard from the Seattle Mariners for a slew of prospects. But had Miller been able to get one more out, he would have had a quality start. Instead, he found himself out of the game with an eventual no decision after allowing three runs on 10 hits and a walk with eight strikeouts over 5.2 innings of work.

While the walk number was encouraging, you have to wonder if it was enough for Miller to stay in the rotation. Obviously with the addition of Bedard, someone has to go from the Red Sox rotation. It won’t be Josh Beckett, Jon Lester or John Lackey but rather either Tim Wakefield or Miller. And with Terry Francona’s loyalty to veterans and the fact Wake has been pitching better lately, my guess is that Miller will be the odd man out.

Miller’s stuff right now would probably make him an effective weapon out of the bullpen. They do have two down there in Randy Williams and Franklin Morales but they aren’t people who Tito can rely on. Maybe Miller can earn the trust and be the go-to lefty in the pen. I’m sure we’ll learn more about what’s going happen either today or sometime during the week.

Sure Theo Epstein acquired Adrian Gonzalez and signed free agents Carl Crawford, Dan Wheeler and Bobby Jenks during the offseason. But hasn’t the acquisition of Aceves been his best one yet. I’m sure there’s an argument there that Gonzo is the best but if we went that route, I think you”ll agree with me that it’s been Aceves down in the pen.

Miller has made eight starts and Aceves has been there to help him out. Because of Pedroia’s clutch two-run single, Aceves was able to pick up his seventh win of the season and fourth in July. There had been some discussions between people on Twitter how the Red Sox didn’t need a starter and could just put Aceves back in the rotation.

I highly disagree with that thought as Aceves, at least right now, is suited best for the Red Sox bullpen. If it’s not for him, the Red Sox may not be in the position they are in in the AL East standings (two game lead over the Aceves’ former team the New York Yankees).

The Red Sox finished off a record month of July that saw them go 20-6. Now they’ll open up the home stretch with a four-game set against the Cleveland Indians who are 2.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.

We’ll be back later today with this evening’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Going for it: Sox hope Bedard represents a finishing touch [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

In the end, it’s Red Sox [Boston Globe]

Save situation for Epstein [Boston Globe]

Throwing in their lot with Bedard [Boston Globe]

Andrew Miller knows future out of his control [Boston Herald]

Questions surround oft-injured Erik Bedard [Boston Herald]

Frank Thomas: David Ortiz an all-time best [Boston Herald]

Sox armed for run [Boston Herald]

Red Sox continue road dominance, 5-3 in Chicago [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox acquire left-hander Erik Bedard from M’s [CSNNE.com]

The road to Bedard was winding [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Miller mediocre at best in Sox win [CSNNE.com]

Buchholz has stress fracture, likely out for year [CSNNE.com]

Hot times for Sox in July [ESPN Boston]

Who was dealt away [ESPN Boston]

Monster month of mashing [ESPN Boston]

Evaluating the trade deadline moves [Extra Bases]

Lars Anderson on deal that wasn’t: ‘All fantasy’ [Full Count]

Closing Time: Red Sox close out best July in franchise history [Full Count]

Red Sox announce trade for Erik Bedard, Josh Fields [Full Count]

Theo Epstein: Erik Bedard ‘can go out and beat anybody’ [Full Count]

Red Sox beat the buzzer with Bedard deal [Full Count]

Video: Erik Bedard Trade Important Given Uncertainty of Clay Buchholz’s Injury, Should Strengthen Staff Overall If Buchholz Returns [NESN.com]

Ryan Lavarnway’s Progress Made it Easier to Part Ways With Tim Federowicz [NESN.com]

Video: Terry Francona Excited to Have Erik Bedard Join Rotation As Red Sox Complete 20-Win July [NESN.com]

Red Sox Are Better in End With Erik Bedard, As Lefty Has Enjoyed Recent Success, Knows Rigors of AL East [NESN.com]

Theo Epstein Concerned About Clay Buchholz’s Back, Thought Adding Starting Pitching Was a Must [NESN.com]

Video: Andrew Miller Battles Through Giving Up 10 Hits, Pleased Red Sox Able to Come Away With Win Over White Sox [NESN.com]

Miller battles his way to victory [Providence Journal]

Day after trade falls through, Lars Anderson right back where he started [Providence Journal]

Sox felt they needed a starter, and Bedard turns out to be their man [Providence Journal]

Red Sox month in review: Offense was hotter than the weather in July [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Boston hopes it can bring out the best in Bedard [Providence Journal]

Bedard an obvious gamble, Red Sox still team to beat [RedSox.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over the Chicago Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Southtown or ESPN Chicago websites.

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

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