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.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

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UConn Women’s Basketball links

ESPN The Magazine Honors UConn Associate Coach Chris Dailey [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

H.S. coach: Stewart is athletic, competitive, versatile … and can dunk [Vickie Fulkerson – The Day]

Road gets tougher for UConn women [Journal Inquirer]

Catching Up With Kiah Stokes [USABasketball.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Is Kemba Burned Out? [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Huskies drop second straight [Ed Daigneault – The Republican-American]

UConn hits first losing streak [Gavin Keefe – The Day]

A Few Postgame Comments From UConn-Syracuse [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

The Cuse bounces back, hands UConn second straight L [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Video View: Postgame Following The Loss To Syracuse [Shawn Courchesne – Hartford Courant]

Derailed [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Syracuse breaks losing skid, deals UConn its second straight loss [CT Post]

UConn can’t solve zone in another ugly loss [CT Post]

UConn report card [CT Post]

Syracuse Defeats UConn, 66-58 [Hartford Courant]

Walker’s Production At Season Low [Hartford Courant]

Comparing Hartford To Syracuse With A Calhoun-Boeheim Twist [Hartford Courant]

Extras: Walker Struggles [Hartford Courant]

Desperate times [Journal Inquirer]

Boeheim, Syracuse snap skid against Huskies [New Haven Register]

Not enough understudies when Kemba Walker Show gets cold [New Haven Register]

Calhoun sees wasted opportunity [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn bottled up by the zone [The Day]

UConn notes: Lamb shines in loss [The Day]

UConn suffers crushing loss to Orange [The Republican-American]

Kemba can’t pull out of his slump [The Republican-American]

COY: The case for Jim Calhoun [Andy Katz – ESPN.com]

Junior Guard Leads the Huskies to a Surprising Season [The Minaret]

UConn Football links

Connecticut recruiting analysis [Brian Bennett – ESPN.com]

UConn Coach Paul Pasqualoni Off Podium [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Unofficial Visit For Casey Cochran [Desmond Conner- Hartford Courant]

Pasqualoni on the signing class [Ed Daigneault – The Republican-American]

Pasqualoni on the newest Huskies and other issues [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Pasqualoni likes new class of Huskies [CT Post]

Pasqualoni Pleased With UConn’s Incoming Class [Hartford Courant]

About 450 Attend UConn Signing Day Fanfest [Hartford Courant]

UConn Football In The Hunt For Masuk’s Casey Cochran [Hartford Courant]

Pasqualoni’s 1st recruiting class in the books [Journal Inquirer]

Pasqualoni holds onto most, adds 16 more [New Haven Register]

New staff keeps its promise [Norwich Bulletin]

Pasqualoni keeps most recruits on board [The Republican-American]

Foxx signs commitment to UConn [Lynchburg News and Advance]

Other UConn related links

2011 CBD Season Preview: Big East [College Baseball Daily]

M. Soccer. Ford Featured in NY State West Youth Soccer Article [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. Huskies Set To Face Boston College And Northeastern [UConnHuskies.com]

Eye Contact Photo Blog: Traveling With UConn [Hartford Courant]

According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, Jonathan Papelbon, Ryan Kalish, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Daniel Nava and Lenny DiNardo are already in Ft. Myers working out at the Boston Red Sox Player Development Complex.

Of course the pitchers and catchers don’t have to report until February 13th but it’s always nice to see the players getting there early. What’s shocking to me is that Jon Lester isn’t there yet. He’s usually the first one to arrive.

Anyways, we’re getting ready for truck day soon here which usually signifies the beginning of spring here. But if you don’t live up here or are still hibernating, most places around here have four to five feet of snow on the ground and snow banks that are a high as the Green Monster.

So as you can see, spring training starting will hopefully help warm things up here in Red Sox Nation.

According to Ed Daigneault of The Republican-American, safeties Mike Lang and Marcus Aiken will not be part of the 2011 UConn Huskies football team. Also, Daigneault said that running back Robbie Frey is considering transferring from UConn as well.

Safeties Mike Lang and Marcus Aiken, the former St. Paul Catholic High standout, will not return to the Huskies. Lang was an academic casualty this year and did not make the trip to the Fiesta Bowl. Aiken succumbed to academics before the 2010 season began and was dismissed from school with the possibility of applying for re-admission. That will not happen.

There are rumors that running back Robbie Frey is set to leave the Huskies, but that is not set in stone yet. Coach Paul Pasqualoni said he is in contact with Frey about his plans.

Lang played in 12 games during the 2010 season and 41 tackles along with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

If Frey decides to transfer, it will be a big loss for Pasqualoni and the Huskies as he should be the No. 1 running back for the 2011 season with Jordan Todman heading to the NFL.

Frey missed some time with an injury during the 2010 season but did play in 11 games. Spelling Todman at running back, Frey rushed for 389 yards and four touchdowns on 75 carries.

He’s also a big part of the special teams as he averaged 31.4 yards on 13 kickoff returns, including a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl. He also had nine tackles.

Photo credit: Bettina Hansen – Hartford Courant

Back when Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein signed Felipe Lopez at the end of the 2010 season, he did so with the intention of getting an extra supplemental draft pick since Lopez was a Type-B free agent.

Unfortunately, Theo’s gamble of getting that extra draft pick isn’t going to work out as Felipe Lopez has signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. Since it’s a minor league deal, the Red Sox will not pick up an extra supplemental round pick. Had it been a big league deal, they would have.

Lopez hit .267 with one home run and one RBI in four games with the Red Sox in 2010. Before being released by the St. Louis Cardinals, he hit .231 with seven home runs, 38 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 109 games.

The Red Sox will still have four picks in the first round plus the supplemental round despite losing their draft pick (No. 24) when they signed Carl Crawford. They have the Detroit Tigers pick at No. 19 for losing Victor Martinez. They also picked up the No. 26 pick from the Texas Rangers when they signed Adrian Beltre. They also get the two supplemental picks for losing Martinez and Beltre since they were Type-A free agents.

While the extra early round draft pick would have nice, it’s definitely not going to hurt the Red Sox at all. You know Theo’s brain trust in the baseball operations department will get the best players available in this very deep 2011 MLB Draft class.

Photo credit: AP Photo

In just 11 days, the pitchers and catchers for the Boston Red Sox will be reporting to Ft. Myers, FL to begin spring training for the 2011 season. They will do so with 60 players in camp as they have invited 20 non-roster players to camp.

They also announced the signings of four minor league free agents, Hector Luna, Tony Pena, Jr., Paul Hoover and Matt Fox. Those four players are among the 20 invited to camp.

Here’s the release from the Boston Red Sox:

BOSTON, MA-The Boston Red Sox today announced the signings of four free agents to 2011 minor league contracts, all with invites to Boston’s Major League Spring Training camp as non-roster players. The four free agents are right-handed pitchers Matt Fox and Tony Pena Jr., catcher Paul Hoover and infielder Hector Luna. All of the free agents have been placed on the Triple-A Pawtucket roster.

The club also announced that 20 players overall will attend the team’s Major League Spring Training camp as non-roster invitees.

The announcements were made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein.

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

Fox, who was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on January 5 and released on January 13, tossed 1.2 innings of relief over three games with Boston last year (2 ER) after being claimed off waivers from Minnesota on September 9. The 28-year-old made his Major League debut with a start for the Twins on September 3 (2 ER/5.2 IP) after appearing in 35 games (21 starts) for Minnesota’s Triple-A Rochester affiliate, going 6-9 with a 3.95 ERA (54 ER/123.0 IP) and 104 strikeouts. A supplemental-round selection by the Twins in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Fox has a 35-28 record with three saves and a 3.71 ERA (223 ER/541.0 IP) in 145 career minor league games (80 starts).

Pena, 29, spent his first full season as a pitcher in 2010, splitting the year between San Francisco’s Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Fresno clubs. The right-hander combined to go 3-2 with six saves, a 4.13 ERA (35 ER/76.1 IP), 62 strikeouts and 29 walks over 53 relief appearances, including a 2.53 ERA (13 ER/46.1 IP) in 29 games with Richmond to earn a mid-season promotion to Triple-A. After the season, he pitched in 26 games with Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League, going 2-0 with a 2.78 ERA (7 ER/22.2 IP), and also threw 1.0 scoreless frame with Bravos de Margarita of the Venezuelan Winter League. Originally signed by Atlanta as an international free agent on July 21, 1999, Pena played primarily shortstop before converting to pitcher during the 2009 season. He made his Major League debut with the Braves in 2006 and hit .228 (189-for-829) with 32 doubles, eight triples, four home runs, 66 RBI and 95 runs in 327 career games over parts of four Big League seasons with Atlanta and Kansas City (2007-09). He tossed 1.0 scoreless inning with one strikeout in his only Big League pitching appearance with the Royals in 2008. A native of Santiago, Dominican Republic, Pena’s father Tony is a former Major League catcher who played for the Red Sox from 1990-93 and is currently the bench coach for the New York Yankees.

The 34-year-old Hoover appeared in nine games behind the plate with the Phillies in 2010, including six starts with the team going 5-1 in those contests. A right-handed hitter, he batted .227 (5-for-22) with two doubles, two RBI, six runs and three walks over his two stints with Philadelphia. He also appeared in 77 games with the Phillies Triple-A Lehigh Valley club, hitting .247 (63-for-255) with 13 doubles, three triples, two homers, 21 RBI, 23 runs and 26 walks. Hoover played 67 games at catcher with the IronPigs and eight at first base, throwing out 24 of 81 attempted base stealers while behind the plate (29.6 percent). Selected by Tampa Bay in the 23rd round of the 1997 First-Year Player Draft, Hoover has played 40 Major League games over parts of seven seasons with the Devil Rays (2001-02), Marlins (2006-08) and Phillies (2009-10), batting .250 (25-for-100) with eight RBI. He has made 36 career appearances at catcher (26 starts) and thrown out six base runners in 21 stolen base attempts (28.6).

Luna, who turned 31 yesterday, hit .294 (104-for-354) with 17 doubles, 16 home runs, 71 RBI, 55 runs scored and 42 walks in 97 games with Florida’s Triple-A New Orleans affiliate in 2010, including 83 games at third base and eight at first base. He earned Pacific Coast League mid-season All-Star honors and finished third among all Marlins minor leaguers in RBI and sixth in batting average. Luna also appeared in 27 games with Florida, primarily serving as a pinch-hitter but also making four appearances at third base and one at second base, going 4-for-29 (.138) with two home runs and four RBI overall at the plate. After the season, he batted .349 (60-for-172) with 17 doubles, four home runs, 28 RBI, 34 runs and 31 walks in 47 games with Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League. Born in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic, Luna was signed by Cleveland as an international free agent on February 2, 1999. In 311 career Major League games over parts of six seasons with St. Louis (2004-06), Cleveland (2006), Toronto (2007-08) and Florida (2010), he has hit .265 (194-for-732) with 39 doubles, six triples, 13 home runs, 86 RBI, 99 runs scored and 23 stolen bases while making appearances at first base, second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions. Luna also appeared in five postseason games with St. Louis in 2004-05 including as a pinch-hitter in Game 4 of the 2004 World Series against Boston (0-for-1).

The complete list of non-roster invitees includes left-handed pitchers Rich Hill, Andrew Miller and Randy Williams; right-handers Jason Bergmann, Brandon Duckworth, Fox, Pena, Jason Rice, Clevelan Santeliz, Kyle Weiland and Alex Wilson; catchers Tim Federowicz, Hoover and Ryan Lavarnway; infielders Brent Dlugach, Luna, Nate Spears and Drew Sutton; and outfielders Che-Hsuan Lin and Juan Carlos Linares.

Eleven of the 20 invitees have Major League experience, including Bergmann, Duckworth, Dlugach, Fox, Hill, Hoover, Luna, Miller, Pena, Sutton and Williams. Fox and Hill both saw action for the Red Sox in 2010.

Pitchers and catchers will participate in their first on-field workout in Fort Myers on Tuesday, February 15. The first full workout of the Red Sox Spring Training camp is on Saturday, February 19.

All workouts take place at Boston’s Player Development Complex, located at 4301 Edison Avenue. The team will move its spring operation to City of Palms Park when the games begin on Saturday, February 26

While the 2010-11 baseball hot stove season may not be closed out as of yet with still some big name but older free agents out there, it’s time to take a look at the possible big fish for 2012.  That would be one, Albert Pujols currently of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Pujols is on record of telling the Cardinals that he will not negotiate contract extension during the 2011 season as he just wants to concentrate on baseball.  He says if he is not signed by the start of spring training he will become a free agent at season’s end.  So in a little less than three weeks from now St. Louis fans could be preparing themselves to see Sir Albert walk away. 

Could the Cardinals really lose the best player in baseball?

It appears that St. Louis management has basically been given a drop dead date of February 18^th.  It is rumored that Pujols wants Alex Rodriguez-type dollars.  A-Rod’s last deal signed after the 2007 season was for 10 years and $275 million plus different incentives based on his milestone numbers and awards that push the potential value of the deal well past $300 million if they are all achieved.  Insiders say that while the Cardinals brass and Albert and his reps have always gotten along word is that things may not be so cozy behind closed doors and chances are slim of the Cards getting an extension beyond February 18^th.

So this leaves St. Louis with three options:

1. Sign Pujols in the next few weeks and break the bank for the Player of the Decade.
2. Look to trade him during the season before the deadline, hoping to get one good player and prospects in return.
3. Ride the season out and see if you can hang with the big boys in the free agent market.

While most baseball “experts” and talking heads will try to tell you (they’ve already started by the way) that the Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies are already all set at first base and have no interest in Pujols, do not believe it.  You are not going to try to sneak the best player in the game by these three teams without them trying to at least kick the tires.

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

Most people also forget that even though Pujols is a first baseman now, earlier in his career he was a jack of all trades.  When he first came to the majors in 2001 he played third base, left field, right field and DH in addition to first.  And he did this until he became the Cards everyday first baseman in 2004.  In fact in 20003 he played 113 games in left field to 62 at first base (I’m sure there were games where he played both positions at some time that’s why the numbers don’t add up).  He’s only 31, he is definitely not too old to play a corner outfield spot and get some DH time with an American League club.

With that in mind I fully expect the following to happen if Pujols gets to free agency after the 2011 season:

1. Philadelphia will look at him but after sinking all that money into the rotation, Howard, Utley and Rollins there’s no way they’ll pay Pujols $30 million a year.  I don’t think they can over extend themselves that much but they will be in on the bidding, just to drive up the final numbers.
2. New York, the Yankees not the Mets, will be in on this.  Who would you rather have Nick Swisher patrolling right field or Albert Pujols?  Do you want an aging Jorge Posada as your DH or Pujols?  Hank and Hal have already proved to have the crazy Steinbrenner gene.  They, not GM Brian Cashman, gave ARod that contract that’s killing them; they also gave the go ahead to sign Raphael Soriano when Cashman didn’t want to lose the draft pick.  They will be in the bidding long and hard especially after the Cliff Lee embarrassment.  On one side will be Hank and Hal wearing their spinning propelling beanies, sucking on giant lollipops looking to spend their inheritance on the newest shiny toy.  While Cashman sits across the table preaching patience and talking up the growing farm system.  It will once again be ugly for the Yankee family; it will once again make it to the press and this time no matter how it end’s it will send Cashman running from the Bronx.
3. Boston will bid on Pujols. Theo and the Trio much like the Phils and Yanks will not this one pass regardless of how well put they seem to be. But unlike the other two teams talks will be quiet and secret making Sox fans and Boston media want to scream for lack of news.  It’s how Theo operates.  Covertly, discreetly in the dark shadows and amongst the bodies of the teams who have failed. There are two teams out there who can pay Pujols $30 a year or more.  They are the Yankees and the Red Sox.  But the difference between them is that Boston while still being loaded is clearing a whopping $61 million off the payroll from 2011.  Gone are the big contracts of David Ortiz, Jonathan Papelbon, J.D. Drew, Mike Cameron, Jason Varitek, Hideki Okajima and Marco Scutaro (dual option for 2012).

If the Red Sox don’t re-sign Drew and Ortiz the lineup needs a power bat in one of those spots and a right handed one to boot.  Pujols could easily be moved to right field with some occasional at bats at DH, while you find a veteran bat to be the everyday DH.  I’ve said if before, I’ll say it again even if they give Albert $30 million a year there’s still plenty of money to come off the books to allow them to get a DH, maybe re-sign Ortiz for a year or two, and add to the bullpen and strengthen their catching.

Theo and his baseball bunch are brilliant at working these things out.  I’d love to see them win over Pujols with how they do business and with the product they have on the field.  It is a reality if he gets to free agency.

In the end I feel Pujols wants to stay in St. Louis badly but if given the opportunity to see what else is out there he may get overwhelmed.  St. Louis and Boston are baseball towns, the fans love their teams.  I think Albert would see a parallel and could be persuaded to come to Boston.

If he leaves, St. Louis will not be a good place to be.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit: AP Photo

Are you going to the Syracuse Orange vs UConn Huskies men’s basketball team tonight at the XL Center in Hartford, CT at 7 p.m. If so, the game is on as scheduled.

Here’s the release:

HARTFORD, Conn. – The men’s basketball game between the University of Connecticut and Syracuse University set for Wednesday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the XL Center will be played as scheduled.

Fans choosing to attend the game are urged to use extreme caution when traveling to Hartford, as well as parking and walking to the XL Center.

If you choose not to travel to Hartford for tonight’s contest, the game will be available on ESPN and on WTIC NewsTalk 1080 and the UConn Radio Network.

UConn’s Football Signing Day public event in the XL Center Exhibition Hall will also take place as scheduled (4:15 social/reception, 5:00 program).

Any additional updates will be posted on UConnHuskies.com.

Note: They left out that you can also watch the game online at ESPN3.com.

Here’s the press release from the UConn Huskies football program announcing the signing of 16 student-athletes to National Letter of Intent to join the Huskies for the 2011 season. New football coach Paul Pasqualoni will be holding a news conference at 2 p.m. today that will be streamed live on UConnHuskies.com. It will also be shown live on SNY.

STORRS, Conn. – University of Connecticut head football coach Paul Pasquaoloni announced on Wednesday that the Huskies have signed 16 student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent to join the UConn program.

Student-athletes in UConn’s 2011 signing class hail from 10 different states – Georgia (4), Connecticut (3), Massachusetts (2), New York (1), Virginia (2), Delaware (1), Florida (1), Ohio (1) and Pennsylvania (1).

Four of the signees have already enrolled at UConn for the spring 2010 semester – defensive tackle Kenton Adeyemi (Wethersfield, Conn.), offensive tackle Dalton Gifford (Fairhaven, Mass.), quarterback Michael Nebrich (Fairfax Station, Va.) and tight end Sean McQuillan (Glastonbury, Conn.).

The following is a full signee roster:

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/High School/Prep School
Kamal Abrams	WR	6-0	178	Dover, Del./Dover
Andrew Adams	FS	5-11	185	Fayetteville, Ga./Woodward Academy
Kenton Adeyemi	DT	6-4	255	Wethersfield, Conn./Kingwood-Oxford/Fork Union (Va.)
Jefferson Ashiru	LB	6-3	230	Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern
Julian Campenni	DT	6-0	285	West Pittson, Pa./Wyoming Area
Tyree Clark	CB	5-10	170	Tampa, Fla./Alonso
Max DeLorenzo	RB	6-0	200	Berlin, Conn./Berlin
Deshon Foxx	RB	5-10	175	Lynchburg, Va./Brookfield
Dalton Gifford	OT	6-5	275	Fairhaven, Mass./Barnstable/Bridgton Academy
Xavier Hemingway	OT	6-4	255	Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern
Wilbert Lee	SS	6-1	205	Brooklyn, N.Y./Boys and Girls
Sean McQuillan	TE	6-2	252	Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury/Avon Old Farms
Michael Nebrich	QB	6-1	190	Fairfax Station, Va./Lake Braddock Secondary School
Paul Nwokeji	OT	6-5	265	Randolph, Mass./Thayer Academy
David Stevenson	CB	5-9	175	Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson
Marquise Vann	LB	6-0	223	Cincinnati, Ohio/Fairfield Senior

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

KAMAL ABRAMS – Honorable mention all-state pick and first team all-conference…played quarterback in high school, but projects to be a wide receiver at UConn…as a junior, threw for over 1,300 yards and 13 TDs…also had 534 rushing yards and eight TDs…will play in the 56th Annual DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game in June..two-time team captain…Kamal Deshawn Abrams…born August 28, 1993.

ANDREW ADAMS –Andrew Tyler Adams…earned First Team All-City/South Fulton County by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution…played in 2009 GISA All-Star Game…had ten tackles, two interceptions and two TDs in first round state playoff game in 2010 vs. Ridgefield HS…team had a 10-2 record in senior season…Andrew Tyler Adams…born August 28, 1993.

KENTON ADEYEMI – Enrolled at UConn for spring 2010 semester…played high school football at Kingwood-Oxford (Conn.) and then prepped for a season at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia…was an honorable mention all-league selection in high school…an outstanding track and field performer who was second in New England in the discus and foruth in the shot put…named to the Honor Roll at Fork Union…Kenton Adetoye Adeyemi…born January 13, 1992.

JEFFERSON ASHIRU – Played in Cobb County All-Star Senior Bowl…two-time Cobb County Player of the Week in 2010…team posted an 11-2 record as a senior…three-sport athlete…. high school teammate of UConn signee Xavier Hemingway…Jefferson Ashiru…born May 25, 1993.

JULIAN CAMPENNI – Named to the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class 2A all-state second team…named (Wilkes-Barre) Times-Leader All-Wyoming Valley Conference First Team…WVC Small School MVP… made 106 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and forced seven fumbles this past season…team went 8-4 in senior season…will play in the Big 33 Football Classic for the Pennsylvania team on June 18…also played for the North team in the Chesapeake Bowl all-star game and had one tackle…Julian M. Campenni…born August 26, 1993.

TYREE CLARK – Team captain who was two year starter…made 85 tackles as a senior…posted four interceptions as a senior with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries…as a junior had six interceptions to lead the Tampa Bay area…named Honorable Mention All-Hillsborough County by the Tampa Tribune..Tyree Deandre Clark…born April 18, 1993.

MAX DeLORENZO – Rushed for 2,154 yards as a junior and 5,040 for his career to set school records…named Class M MVP this year by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association…a two-time all-state pick by the CHSCA and the New Haven Register..also played cornerback and had 58 tackles and two fumble recoveries as a senior…also plays basketball…rushed for 1,397 yards as a senior with 21 TDs as team advanced to Class M quarterfinals…had a school record 334 yards of rushing with three TDs in Class M championship game win over Bethel as a junior…Maximillian Joseph DeLorenzo…born June 18, 1993.

DESHON FOXX – Team captain who earned Associated Press Group AA All-State honors …named All-Area by the (Lynchburg, Va.) News and Advance ….scored 29 touchdowns as a senior…team went 12-2 in senior year and advanced to state Division III semifinals…Deshon Cameron Foxx…born November 27, 1992.

DALTON GIFFORD — Enrolled at UConn for spring 2010 semester…enjoyed standout high school career at Barnstable (Mass.) before spending a semester at Maine’s Bridgton Academy…at Barnstable, team won Old Colony League title in 2009..an All-OCL pick as a senior and played in Eastern Massachusetts Shriners’ All-Star Classic…earned high honor roll accolades at Bridgton…Dalton Michael Gifford..born June 8, 1992.

XAVIER HEMINGWAY – First Team All-State for Class AAAAA by the Georgia Sports Writers Association… named All-Area by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for Cobb County…team captain played in the Cobb County All-Star Senior Bowl…team went 11-2 in senior season…high school teammate of UConn signee Jefferson Ashiru…Xavier Hemingway..born March 4, 1993.

WILBERT LEE — Named to the New York Daily News All-City team as a senior…two-time New York Post All-City selection…rushed for 964 yards and 12 touchdowns in senior year…also had 75 tackles with two interceptions on defense…had an injury-shortened junior season , scored five touchdowns – three through the air, one rushing and another on special teams…also had 40 tackles with three interceptions and a sack with a fumble recovery…had a game-clinching 70-yard run in first round victory in state playoffs in 2008 against Campus Magnet HS…had an interception for a TD and a receiving TD in second round playoff win over Sheepshead Bay…Wilbert Daniel Lee…born February 10, 1992.

SEAN McQUILLAN — Enrolled at UConn for spring 2011 semester…high school standout who was a two-year all-state and all-conference honoree…was team captain at Glastonbury…had career totals of 1,900 rushing yards with 1,400 passing yards and 43 touchdowns…team won 2008 Class LL state championship…prepped for a fall 2010 semester at Avon (Conn.) Old Farms….William Sean McQuillan…born July 12, 1992.

MICHAEL NEBRICH — First team all-state player and player of the year who enrolled at UConn for the spring 2011 semester after graduating from high school…named Metro Player of the Year by Washington Post, covering the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia areas…named the Fairfax (Va.) Times Male Athlete of the Year… …first team all-region and player of the year honors…all-district and player of the year…in his senior season, broke the Virginia state record for all-purpose yards with 4,968 and also scored 59 TDs…team won its second consecutive Northern Region and Patriot District titles… passed for a state record 3,831 yards and state record 262 completions along with 38 TDs (tied for seventh in state history)…had 235 rushing carries for 1,136 yards and 21 TDs… in his junior season, led team to its first-ever state finals appearance…. passed for 3,290 yards and 22 TDs…had 265 carries for 1,231 yards and 24 TDs…is fourth in state history with 10,740 yards of total offense(7,963 yards passing and 2,777 yards rushing) along with 113 TDs…also earned three letters in baseball as team won Patriot District title in his junior year…Michael Alan Nebrich…born April 3, 1993.

PAUL NWOKEJI – Team captain who was first team All-Independent School League….Boston Herald All-Scholastic Team member…earned All-New England and Lineman of the Year honors from the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council…Paul C. Nwokeji…born June 16, 1993.

DAVID STEVENSON – First-team all-region pick…was MVP of Atlanta Combine…played in National Underclassmen Combine’s All World Gridiron Classic in December…team went 9-2 in senior season…David Dontae Stevenson…born December 26, 1992.

MARQUISE VANN – Had 75 tackles and an interception as a senior…was a team captain…earned first team All-Greater Miami Conference…also picked up all-county honors and second team all-region….Marquise Jourdain Vann…born November 23, 1992.

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.

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

Despite the lovely weather we are having here in the state of Connecticut, it’s game day for the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team as they’ll host the Syracuse Orange at the XL Center in Hartford. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be nationally-televised on ESPN. The game will also be available online at ESPN3.com. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the WTIC/UConn Radio Network.

UConn Men’s Basketball links

A Lot of Wins for the Jims [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Syracuse Arrives; UConn Statement [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Know Your Enemy: Syracuse [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn wants to extend Orange slide [CT Post]

UConn, Syracuse Feeling Some Urgency For A Win [Hartford Courant]

Both Huskies, Syracuse ‘desperate’ for a win [New Haven Register]

Guard looks for comfort zone [Norwich Bulletin]

Steady-as-they-go Huskies take on suddenly reeling Orange [The Day]

UConn men looking to regain their focus [The Republican-American]

UConn’s Jim Calhoun tries to take some pressure off Kemba Walker [Sporting News]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Fatigue is a state of mind at UConn [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Video of future Huskies teaming up [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Another recruit may be headed this way [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

What Makes The UConn Women So Special? Here’s An Idea [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Maya Moore In The Top 20 Lifetime [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Keirsten Walters Checks In About Her Circumstances [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Huskies Deliver Early Knockout Of No. 3 Duke [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Top recruit Stewart commits to UConn women [CT Post]

Breanna Stewart Commits To UConn [Hartford Courant]

Despite Depleted Roster, UConn Shows It Knows How To Beat A Good Team [Hartford Courant]

Top recruit commits to Huskies [New Haven Register]

Faris’ wheels turning for Huskies [New Haven Register]

Freshman shows promise in win [Norwich Bulletin]

Faris regains scoring touch in emotional victory [The Day]

Class of 2012’s top prospect gives verbal commitment to UConn [The Day]

Fatigue can’t slow down UConn women [The Republican-American]

Elliott Draws On Lessons Learned From Mentor Auriemma [GoBearcats.com]

UConn Football links

Reviewing the Big East ’07 classes, Part II [Brian Bennett – ESPN.com]

Big East mailbag [Brian Bennett – ESPN.com]

UConn National Letter Of Intent Day Update… [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Xavier Hemingway’s Letter Has Arrived, UConn Waiting On 1 [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConnHuskies.com On Football Signing Day [UConnHuskies.com]

Looking Back At UConn’s Last Signing Day [Hartford Courant]

UConn Restocks The Roster For Pasqualoni’s First Season [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

“Husky Reach” Honors Verplanck Students [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. Vakos Named WHEA Rookie Of The Month [UConnHuskies.com]

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox have announced the broadcast schedule for the 2011 Spring Training season.

This spring, NESN will televise 13 of the club’s 37 exhibition games, including seven games at City of Palms Park. The flagship radio station of the Red Sox will air 15 total games, including the March 30 matchup against Houston at Minute Maid Park at 8:05 p.m. Nine of those broadcasts will be carried on WEEI 850 AM with six games airing on WRKO 680 AM. Additionally, ESPN will televise two of Boston’s Grapefruit League contests with ESPN2 carrying the team’s game against the New York Yankees on March 14.

Feb. 26: Boston College, 1:05 p.m., WRKO 680 AM
Feb. 26: Northeastern, 6 p.m., WEEI 850 AM
Feb. 27: @Twins, 7:05 p.m., WEEI 850 AM
March 4: @Yankees, 7:10 p.m., NESN, WRKO 680 AM
March 5: Marlins (split squad), 1:05 p.m., NESN, WEEI 850 AM
March 6: @Mets, 1:05 p.m., NESN
March 9: Orioles, 7:05 p.m., NESN, WRKO 680 AM
March 12: Marlins, 1:05 p.m., NESN, WEEI 850 AM
March 13: @Pirates, 1:05 p.m., NESN
March 14: Yankees, 7:05 p.m., NESN, ESPN2, WRKO 680 AM
March 16: @Braves, 1:05 p.m., ESPN
March 18: @Rays (split squad), 7:05 p.m., WRKO 680 AM
March 19: @Pirates, 1:05 p.m., NESN
March 20: Cardinals, 1:05 p.m., NESN, WEEI 850 AM
March 21: @Phillies, 1:05 p.m., ESPN
March 22: Rays, 7:05 p.m., WEEI 850 AM
March 25: Blue Jays, 7:05 p.m., NESN, WRKO 680 AM
March 26: Twins, 7:05 p.m., NESN, WEEI 850 AM
March 27: @Orioles, 1:05 p.m., NESN, WEEI 850 AM
March 30: @Astros (Houston), 8:05 p.m., NESN, WEEI 850 AM

2011 Boston Red Sox spring training schedule