Paw Prints – Women’s Roundball Edition

Paw Prints - Women's Roundball News @ SOX & Dawgs

Maya Moore - AP PhotoHo hum, another Big East Rookie of the Week award for Maya Moore. For Moore it was her 5th Rookie of the Week honors, and third in the last four weeks. She has been nothing short of amazing all season and will have to continue to do so for the Huskies this season.

In wins over Syracuse and Cincinnati last week, Moore averaged 17 points and 14 rebounds. She has 13 points and 17 rebounds in the win over the ‘Cuse and 21 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday’s win over Cincinnati. She now has 5 double-doubles on the season.

For the season, Moore is leading the Huskies in scoring, averaging 16.6 points a game. She is second on the team in rebounds, pulling down 7.0 rebounds a game.

Renee Montgomery was also named to the Big East Women’s Honor Roll last week as she averaged 20.5 points in the Huskies two wins last week as well.

Make sure to tune into ESPN2 tonight at 7 PM as the Huskies take on the UNC women.

New LaDainian Tomlinson Action Figure

Hey Chargers fans just because your team suffered another season ending loss at the hands of the New England Patriots doesn’t mean you have to forget about the highlights of their season. With that in mind ToyWiz.com has a brand new LaDainian Tomlinson action figure to help you through your off season or at least until it’s time for the Padres to choke again.

LT Action Figure

Red Sox News & Notes – 1/21

Red Sox News & Notes @ SOX & Dawgs

Imagine if you will, a pin dropping. That’s about the only thing we are hearing in regards to the Boston Red Sox right now. Things have been quiet as you can imagine for the past day or two but I expect things to heat up as we move closer to spring training.

Current NESN analyst and former Red Sox great Jim Rice will be on hand at the grand opening of Circuit City in Torrington, CT on Thursday, January 24th from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. He will be signing autographed baseballs for $20 with all proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Nike has a new version of the Air Force I coming out soon and worked with Daisuke Matsuzaka on the design. It has a dragon emblem featuring his number 18 on it.

And last but not least, the Sporting News has a good article about Jacoby Ellsbury and how he’s ready for the pressures of Boston again this season.

Ellsbury is ready for the pressure of his encore [Sporting News]

Nike x Daisuke Matsuzaka – Dragon Air Force 1 Supreme Inside Out [SneakerFiles.com]

Patriots Punch Ticket To Super Bowl XLII

Patriots owner Robert Kraft hands head coach Bill Belichick the Lamar Hunt Trophy - Getty Photo

The Result

The New England Patriots overcame three Tom Brady interceptions to defeat the San Diego Chargers 21-12 in the AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro on Sunday afternoon. The win puts the Patriots in the Super Bowl for the 6th time in franchise history and for the 4th time in the last 7 seasons.

“Don’t act like you’re not impressed.”

This AFC championship was earned today. The team wasn’t flawless but overcame their errors and held strong on both sides of the ball with some clutch plays when they needed them. Laurence Maroney ran for 122 yards getting several key runs in the second half and Kevin Faulk proved once again to be most complete player on the roster with several highlight reel receptions on 3rd down conversions late in the game as he had 82 yards receiving.

The defense was good and at times, especially in the red zone, they were very good as they held the Chargers to four field goals and no touchdowns in the biggest game of the season to date. When San Diego was trying to get into the end zone, Philip Rivers found someone in his face hurrying him and forcing him to throw incomplete twice, forcing a pair of Nate Kaeding field goals. They also had a big pass knock down by Ellis Hobbs at the goal line forcing a third field goal and Junior Seau dropped Michael Turner for a loss forcing a 4th San Diego field goal.

There were several other fine plays forcing turnovers or the Chargers into a punting situation. It was probably the best defensive effort of the second half of the season.

The Chargers gave it all they had, especially Rivers, but they just could not overcome the early loss of LaDainian Tomlinson who was unable to play after just three touches in the first quarter. They were also limited by the toe injury to Antonio Gates, who is Rivers key passing target.

But the story is the play of New England defense, the running of Maroney and pass catching of Faulk. Because when you limit Randy Moss and you get three turnovers by Brady you think you’re going to win the game. You should win the game but once again other players were there to step up and take over and because of that the Patriots are going to Glendale Arizona for Super Bowl XLII on February 3rd.

Continue reading →

Huskies Back On Track In 89-73 Win

What a difference a few days makes. After looking downright awful in the second half against Providence on Thursday night, the UConn Huskies came to play on Sunday as they upset #13 Marquette 89-73 in a Big East Conference game at Gampel Pavilion. The win for the Huskies ended their losing streak at two games while Marquette suffered it’s second straight loss.

Thabeet with a block - AP PhotoOne of the big differences in the game was the free throw shooting by UConn. Yes, you heard me right. I am actually praising UConn’s free throw shooting. They got to the charity stripe 39 times, converting 33 of those (84.6%). With Marquette committing 29 fouls, 22 in the second half, you can understand why UConn had so many chances at the line. Thabeet had four of those misses (9-13) but considering how terrible he was at free throw shooting last year, I’ll definitely take those numbers. I am sure Jim Calhoun will too.

A.J. Price led a well-balanced scoring attack for the Huskies (12-5, 3-3 Big East) this afternoon with 17 points and 8 assists. Jeff Adrien, Craig Austrie and Thabeet all added 15 points each. Thabeet also had 6 of UConn’s 10 blocked shots on the day. Stanley Robinson chipped in with 10 points and Jerome Dyson added 9 points for the victorious home team.

Marquette (13-4, 3-3) was paced by Lazar Hayward with 14 points. Wesley Matthews added 13 points while Dominic James, Dan Fitzgerald, Maurice Acker and Jerel McNeal all had 9 points for the Golden Eagles.

Marquette started out cold from the floor missing 10 of their first 11 shots as the Huskies got out to a 12-4 lead. Dyson got himself into foul trouble in the first half as well but UConn shot 51.7% (15-29) to give themselves a 15 point lead (39-24) heading into the break. UConn’s trademark defense showed in the first half as the Golden Eagles were 8-of-29 (27.6%).

More of the same in the second half as UConn’s defensive pressure was outstanding. Marquette missed 7 of their first 9 shots and all of the sudden the Huskies were up 22 points at 51-29. UConn’s biggest lead of game was 29 at 67-38, which came on a Thabeet basket. UConn never let Marquette back in the game after that though, hitting most of their free throws down the stretch.

Next up for the Huskies is a visit to the hometown of injured women’s basketball player Mel Thomas and Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis as they will take on the Cincinnati Bearcats. Tip-off is at 7:30 PM and the game will be broadcast locally on My-TV9.

Continue reading →

Red Sox News & Notes – 1/20

Red Sox News & Notes @ SOX & Dawgs

Spring training is just under 25 days away and yet the Red Sox roster is still not entirely set for the 2008 season. They are still in the market for a backup first baseman. One of those names that the Red Sox have on their wish list is Brad Wilkerson.

As was first suggested by MLB Trade Rumors, it has been learned that the Red Sox do have some interest in outfielder/first baseman Brad Wilkerson, although there still figures to be healthy competition for the free agent. It has been reported that he is asking for a three year deal worth $21 million.

I just can’t see the Red Sox giving a guy $7 million to be a role player. Even with the market being thin right now, there are still some cheaper options out there.

If you are a Red Sox fan in West Virginia, you could have a chance to see and hear Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell as he will be the guest speaker at the Marshall University spring baseball banquet on Thursday night. Farrell’s son, Shane is a freshman pitcher for the team.

Texy over at Center Field caught this from the San Antonio Express. Josh Beckett has converted over to a Spurs fan now that he spends most of his time in the San Antonio area. Beckett has season tickets for the Spurs and is always seen seated near the visiting bench.

Also Texy posted a great video about the Red Sox being honored at an earlier Patriots game this season.

Wilkerson in the Mix [Bradford Files]

Red Sox coach speaks at banquet [Herald-Dispatch]

Basketball Beckett [Center Field]

Hat tip to Texy at Center Field for the Red Sox/Patriots video.

Feeling Lucky Are Ya

If betting the spread (Patriots giving 14 points) or the over/under (46 ½ points) doesn’t do it for you, there’s plenty of other things you can wager on based on the Chargers-Patriots AFC Championship game later today. Some of the stuff you can wager on via Bodog are. football wageringOdds to win the Super Bowl

  • New England Patriots 2/7
  • Green Bay Packers 4/1
  • San Diego Chargers 9/1
  • New York Giants 10/1

Early line of Super Bowl XLII

  • AFC -13½
  • Over/Under 55

Possible Super Bowl XLII match ups

  • New England Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers 1/3
  • New England Patriots vs. New York Giants 3/1
  • San Diego Chargers vs. Green Bay Packers 11/2
  • San Diego Chargers vs. New York Giants 15/1

You can bet on how long the Pats will lead the AFC Championship game

  • 0:00-9:59 7/1
  • 10:00-20:59 6/1
  • 21:00-30:59 4/1
  • 31:00-39:59 9/5
  • 40:00-45:59 2/1
  • 46:00 or more 2/1

pile o'moneyWhat the Patriots biggest lead will be

  • 1-4 9/1
  • 5-10 2/1
  • 11-17 1/1
  • 18-24 2/1
  • 25 or more 7/1

You can also bet on things like which team will have more sacks, will a certain player get an interception, passing yards for the quarterbacks, what will happen first for each team, receiving yards, catches, total points, total tackles, pass attempts, and pass completions for specific players on both teams. So if you have some money burning a hole in your pocket and you just can’t contain or control yourself, make sure you get your wagers in by game time.

No Mel, No Problem For The Huskies

One might have thought that with Mel Thomas out for the Huskies that we wouldn’t see a lot of 3-point shots. Well that wasn’t the case on Saturday afternoon as Renee Montgomery was 7-of-11 from 3-point land to lead UConn past the Cincinnati Bearcats at the XL Center.

Maya Moore putting up 2 of her 21 points - AP PhotoMontgomery led the way for UConn (17-0, 5-0 Big East) with a career-high 27 points. Her seven 3-pointers were also a career-high. Maya Moore had her 5th double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Kaili McLaren came off the bench to score 10 points and pull down 10 boards for just her second career double-double. Lorin Dixon played well in her first start, scoring only 4 points but dishing out 7 assists against 2 turnovers. Ketia Swanier came off the bench to add 8 assists as well for the Huskies.

Cincinnati (10-7, 1-4) was led by Kahia Roudebush with 16 points. Jill Stephens added 15 points and a team-high 7 rebounds. Tenishia Benson added 7 points for the Bearcats as well.

The Bearcats stayed close in the early part of the first half as they were down 13-10 before the Huskies went on a 9-0 run. UConn built the lead to 45-25 at the half behind Moore’s 19 first half points and Montgomery’s 4-of-6 from 3-point land.

The second half was more of the same for the Huskies as they were able to just keep building their lead behind the strength of Montgomery’s play and also the play of McLaren.

With Dixon playing well, the Huskies looked good offensively. Even Charde Houston played a little better pulling down 8 rebounds. UConn will need Tina Charles to step her play as she’s struggled lately. She did look good in the latter part of the second half as the Huskies made a concerted effort to get her the ball inside.

Next up for the #1 Huskies is a visit from the #3 North Carolina Tar Heels on Monday night at Gampel. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

Continue reading →