Paw Prints – The Daily Roundup – 1/29

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

With the win over the DePaul Blue Demons last night and Duke’s loss to Wake Forest, the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team has a chance to join the women as the No. 1 ranked team in the nation if they can get past Providence on Saturday. I’m not sure I want the Huskies to be No. 1 though.

The reason being is the way the No. 1 teams have been falling lately, I’d rather see someone else voted into the top spot and have the Huskies stay at number 2. This team has been playing well as of late but their play can get better.

I think the whole key to UConn playing better is to get Stanley Robinson out of his funk. Not sure if he’s going through a phase similar to “dead arm” in a pitcher but he needs to wake up. You have to wonder if Jim Calhoun will keep him in the starting lineup much longer. Robinson only saw 2 minutes of action in the second half and that came in garbage time.

For UConn to be a complete team, they need their old friend “Sticks” back. There’s only so much everyone else can do and if Robinson isn’t contributing that’s hurting the men. Hopefully, he’ll have a couple of good practices and be ready to dominate on Saturday afternoon.

Mike Anthony of the Hartford Courant and David Borges of the New Haven Register have some postgame notes from last night’s win over DePaul.

Jeff Adrien is seeing double-double [Hartford Courant]

Jerome Dyson hit the 1,000 point plateau in the win last night [New Haven Register]

Here are some extras from the win last night [Hartford Courant]

With the No. 1’s falling, UConn will get a shot at the top, but for how long [CBSSports.com]

John Altavilla of the Hartford Courant updates us on how the former Huskies women did in the Euroleague Playoffs.

The UConn women have been dominating opponents all season [Suite101.com]

John Silver of the Journal Inquirer had a brief chat yesterday with Dahna Deleston who will be participating in the Texas vs The Nation Game this Saturday in El Paso, TX.

The UConn men’s football team picked up another Florida wide receiver in Mike Lang [Hartford Courant]

Rob Lunn shares a pretty funny story about birth control [Thoughts From a Fat White Guy]

Rob Lunn also tells us things never change [Thoughts From a Fat White Guy]

The UConn women’s hockey team has reached No. 8 in both Division 1 Women’s Hockey polls [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn women’s soccer players Kacey Richards and Brittany Tegeler received Soccer Buzz Regional Awards [UConnHuskies.com]

Celtics Spank The Kings

Celtics win 9th straight: Eddie House had a career-high 8 three-pointers on his way to 28 points to lead the Boston Celtics past the Sacramento Kings 119-100 in front of a packed house at the TD BankNorth Garden. Rajon Rondo stated his case for an All-Star reserve spot with 24 points and 9 rebounds while Kevin Garnett and Glen “Big Baby” Davis both had 14 points. Ray Allen added 12 and Tony Allen had 10. John Salmons led the Kings with 22 points and Jason Thompson had 21. Kevin Martin chipped with 18 points for the Kings (10-37). The Celtics (38-9) trailed by 2 at the end of the 1st but put a 40 point second quarter to take control of the game. The Celtics now head to Detroit for a matchup with the Pistons on Friday night at 7 PM. [ESPN.com]

Dyson Leads UConn Past DePaul 71-49

Jerome Dyson had 18 points, including the 1,000th point of his UConn career, to lead the No. 2 Huskies to a 71-49 Big East win over the DePaul Blue Demons at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL.

It’s the 8th straight win for the Huskies who improve to 19-1 (8-1 Big East) while the Blue Demons fall to 8-13 (0-8).

Connecticut's Jerome Dyson drives to the basket as DePaul's Jeremiah Kelly defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)Three other Huskies were in double figures including  Jeff Adrien, A.J. Price and Hasheem Thabeet. Adrien had his 6th straight double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds while Price finished with 12 points. Thabeet narrowly missed a double-double with 11 points and 9 rebounds along with 3 blocked shots. Craig Austrie came off the bench to score 9 points.

DePaul was led by Dar Tucker who led all scorers in the game with 20 points. Will Walker added 12 points and 6 rebounds in the losing effort.

DePaul got out to an early 8-5 lead before the Huskies responded with a 10-0 run. The lead for the Huskies swelled to 14 points at 34-20 before Tucker helped get the Blue Demons back in the game cutting UConn’s lead to 41-35 in the second half.

The Huskies turned up the defensive pressure in the 2nd half as they held DePaul without a field goal for the first 4:09. It didn’t help matters though as the Huskies were only able to increase their lead to 10 points. As time wore on though, the Huskies defensive pressure and athleticism on the offensive end were just too much for the Blue Demons as UConn continued to build it’s lead over time.

Plus it doesn’t help when you only score 14 points in the second half like DePaul did.

With the win tonight and Duke losing, the Huskies could take over the No. 1 spot in the land if they can beat the Providence Friars on Saturday afternoon at Gampel Pavilion. Tip is scheduled for 4 PM and the game will be televised locally on MyTV9.

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Red Sox Ticket Drawings Information

Boston Red SoxHere is a press release from the Boston Red Sox regarding the ticket drawings to be held for a chance to purchase selected tickets.

Registration Begins Today for Chance to Purchase 2009 Red Sox Opening Day/Yankees Games, Green Monster, and Budweiser Right Field Roof Deck Tickets

Fans will have the chance to purchase tickets via three separate random drawings and phone sales

BOSTON, MA – Registration for random drawings for the opportunity to purchase tickets for select 2009 Red Sox home games including Opening Day, all nine home contests versus the New York Yankees, as well as the chance to purchase tickets to the highly sought after Green Monster and Budweiser Right Field Roof Deck locations begins at NOON TODAY, Wednesday, January 28.

For fans not comfortable using on-line methods, the Red Sox will also place tickets on sale via telephone at (877) RED-SOX9 for each of the three categories according to the schedule listed below.

Fans may register online at redsox.com through noon on the day of each drawing. Three separate random drawings will take place. There is no fee to register, and fans can register for all three random drawings at once.

To be as fair as possible in the distribution process, the Red Sox will limit purchases to four tickets per customer per drawing.

Fans may begin to register for all three drawings today.

Register now »

The timelines for the three drawings are as follows:

OPENING DAY AND YANKEES GAMES TICKET DRAWING:

  • Registration Period Ends: 12 noon EST, Monday, February 2
  • Winners Notified via E-Mail with Instructions How to Participate: Wednesday, February 4
  • On-Line Purchase for Drawing Winners: 12 noon-9:00 p.m. EST, Saturday, February 7

GREEN MONSTER TICKET DRAWING

  • Registration Period Ends: 12 noon EST, Friday, February 13
  • Winners Notified via E-Mail with Instructions How to Participate: Wednesday, February 18
  • On-Line Purchase for Drawing Winners: 12 noon-9:00 p.m. EST, Saturday, February 21

BUDWEISER RIGHT FIELD ROOF DECK TICKET DRAWING

  • Registration Period Ends: 12 noon EST, Monday, March 2
  • Winners Notified via E-Mail with Instructions How to Participate: Wednesday, March 4
  • On-Line Purchase for Drawing Winners: 12 noon-9:00 p.m. EST, Saturday, March 7

SCHEDULE FOR PHONE SALES
For fans who do not have internet access, or those not selected in the random online drawings, tickets will be sold by telephone at (877) RED-SOX9 for each of the three categories according to the following schedule:

  • OPENING DAY AND YANKEE GAMES (While Supplies Last):
    Beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 7
  • GREEN MONSTER TICKETS (While Supplies Last):
    Beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 21
  • BUDWEISER RIGHT FIELD ROOF DECK TICKETS (While Supplies Last):
    Beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 7

Fans with disabilities may also call (877) RED-SOX9 and hearing impaired fans may call the TTY line at (617) 226-6644 to purchase accessible seating (while supplies last). The phone sales for accessible seats will begin at 10:00 a.m. EST on each of the days listed above: Saturday, February 7 (Opening Day and Yankees Game); Saturday, February 21 (Green Monster Tickets); and Saturday, March 7 (Budweiser Right Field Roof Deck Tickets).

Paw Prints – The Daily Roundup – 1/28

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

It’s game day for the No 2/2 UConn Huskies men’s basketball team as they are in Chicago to take on the DePaul Blue Demons. Tip is scheduled for 9 PM and the game will be televised locally here on My-TV9.

Matt Stout of the Norwich Bulletin and David Borges of the New Haven Register both have some notes on the UConn men’s basketball team.

The UConn men will go for their 8th straight win tonight. [The News-Times]

The UConn men need Stanley Robinson to become more involved in the offense. [Hartford Courant]

The UConn men hope to avoid a trap game tonight against DePaul. [New Haven Register]

The bench has been giving the UConn men a big lift. [Waterbury Republican-American]

Here’s a great piece about Ater Majok.  [AussieHoopsAmerica.com]

The Big East is filled with many quality guards. [AthlonSports.com]

The UConn men may lack depth but their top 3 reserves have been performing well. [New London Day]

Stanley Robinson needs some type of wakeup call. [Journal Inquirer]

Jim Fuller of the New Haven Register,  John Altavilla of the Hartford Courant, Rich Elliott of the Connecticut Post and Joe Perez of the Norwich Bulletin all have some notes on the UConn women’s basketball team.

The UConn women are meeting every challenge this season. [Hartford Courant]

The UConn women have more than just their big three. [Connecticut Post]

Tiffany Hayes filled the gap nicely for Caroline Doty on Monday night. [Norwich Bulletin]

The gap between the UConn women and everyone else is growing. [Hartford Courant]

Tiffany Hayes made Louisville pay on Monday night. [New Haven Register]

The UConn women are focused on winning the title. [Waterbury Republican-American]

All contributions on the UConn women’s team are welcome. [Journal Inquirer]

Jim Fuller let’s us know that Saturday’s Uconn women’s opponent, the Georgetown Hoyas, lost their leading scorer to an ankle injury last night. [Elm City to Eagleville]

The UConn women exposed what Louisville needs to work on [Louisville Courier-Journal]

Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant lets us know the UConn football team will only be hosting one recruit this weekend.

Desmond Conner has three questions with Darius Butler. [Hartford Courant]

Rob Lunn tells us why he hates special teams. [Thoughts From a Fat White Guy]

Today’s feel good moment or This weeks sign of the apocalypse [Thoughts From a Fat White Guy]

The UConn men’s hockey team beat AIC 3-1. [UConnHuskies.com]

Lester, Chamberlain Visit Sacred Heart University

Yankee Joba Chamberlain, in background, and Red Sox Jon Lester, speak at Sacred Heart University in a "Hot Stove" conversation in Fairfield on Tuesday night. Christian Abraham/CT Post Staff photographer

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester and New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain were on hand last night for a “Hot Stove Conversation” at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.

During the event, they talked about the rivalry and what life is like in the majors. Here’s a sampling of what they had to say.

“If I had a quarter for every time somebody said ‘You [stink!]’ in the bullpen, I’d be pretty rich now,” Lester said to Chamberlain.

Chamberlain soon came back with a charge about the cramped visitors’ clubhouse at Fenway Park, where the lockers are just a little too close together for his liking.

“It smells like 70-year-old Pine Sol, because they don’t ever change the carpet,” Chamberlain said to laughs and jeers from the largely pro-Yankee crowd of over 1,000.

Lester shrugged it off. “That’s Fenway,” he said, and he added that he wouldn’t have it any other way.

And of course you know the fans had to ask Lester about Red Sox free agent catcher Jason Varitek.

“He actually came to my wedding about two weeks ago,” Lester said. “He came to that, and I talked to him a little bit. He seemed pretty positive about what was going on. I didn’t ask him about [contract] numbers or anything like that –– it didn’t seem the proper place –– but hopefully we can do something to bring him back.”

Lester recalled the first time he met Varitek. He’d heard all the stories, and seen that famously grim face that Varitek seemingly delights in wearing. Lester was nervous.

“I was scared. He always has that scowl on his face –– I didn’t want to shake his hand, I thought he was going to kick my butt or something,” Lester said.

Later, of course, Lester learned that the catcher isn’t always so serious, and he became a friend and mentor.

“He listens to what we have to say and we bounce some things back and forth…. hopefully they can get something worked out to get him back,” Lester said. “He’s the captain, he’s got the ‘C’ on his chest for a reason.”

It’s good to see them put aside their differences and be able to get together for an event like this. It couldn’t have been easy for Lester though as Fairfield County is pretty much Yankees country with it’s proximity to New York City.

And of course just another glowing review of Varitek from another player. I do like how Lester was scared of Tek at first. He does have that mean look to him.

I do wish though that someone would have asked Joba what the heck is the feud between him and Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis all about. That’s an answer all of Red Sox Nation would like to know.

Joba, Lester talk hot stove at SHU [CT Post]

Sox’ Lester, Yanks’ Chamberlain exchange a few friendly barbs at Conn. event [Pro Jo]

Report: Tom Brady To Be Ready For 2009 Season

Tom Brady

According to Christoper Gasper and Shira Springer of the  Boston Globe, injured New England Patriots QB Tom Brady should be ready for the start of the 2009 season.

Tom Brady is progressing on pace in his rehabilitation from reconstructive left knee surgery and is now dropping back and throwing passes, according to a medical source familiar with the Patriots quarterback’s case. No additional surgical procedures are planned, according to NFL and medical sources.

The medical source who has been consulted about Brady’s injury said Brady is “on track to be fine for the opening game of the season.

“Based on anybody else doing an ACL rehab, he’s going right along. He had a shaky start, but he’s caught up,” said the source.

The source added that Brady, who suffered torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the Patriots’ opener against the Chiefs Sept. 7 and had surgery to repair both ligaments Oct. 6, is throwing, running, doing his skill drills, and getting in shape.

Still, the sources acknowledged that Brady has “laxity” in the MCL and some stiffness in the joint. Additionally, sources said Brady has not regained full range of motion, though it is not unusual for patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction to have lingering range-of-motion issues, especially in cases of infection.

If the report is true, this is great news for the Patriots and the fans. The question remains though what they will do with Matt Cassell should this be true.

I know it’s going to cost the Patriots some money but I’d like to see Cassel back with the Patriots next season. He proved himself worthy of the starting job for years to come but would also provide the Patriots with a capable backup should Brady not be ready or get hurt again.

Of course if Brady is healthy enough come April, the Patriots could do a sign-and-trade with another team as well. I just don’t see the Patriots letting him walk away without compensation.