Huskies All-Access gives us a behind the scenes look as the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team prepares for Sunday night’s matchup with the Stanford Cardinal in the 2014 NCAA Women’s Final Four.
A few Red Sox trouble spots to start the season
It’s easy to be negative in Boston, the town where we still reflexively react to the frustration of waiting 86 years to win a World Series despite winning in the past decade. So let me preface this post by saying that the Apocalypse is not nigh: it’s only the first week of the baseball season, Detroit still has a perfect record, Arizona is an unspeakable 1-7, the Devil Rays are in first place, and these are all examples of things that won’t last.
And the Red Sox have shown flashes of brilliance, on and off the field. Henry, Lucchino and Werner surprising David Ortiz with a World Series MVP ring was a stroke of genius because the currency Ortiz recognizes is respect. In baseball, respect is most often measured in contract dollars, so Ortiz occasionally complains that he’s not getting paid at the same level of his peers. By giving him the World Series MVP ring, Red Sox ownership usurped currency as a measure of respect and gave Ortiz the gift of ultimate respect. That ring is worth more than a $100 million contract to Ortiz, and it probably cost less than $500,000, so the gift was a shrewd business move.
So, with that said, let me revert to my normal negative Bostonian self and dwell on the bad news.
Clay Buchholz – After years of waiting for Buchholz to reach his potential and put together a season as an Cy Young contender with 200+ innings pitched, the Red Sox have resigned themselves to assuming that Buchholz will go on the DL at least once a season and made him the fifth starter. It’s a shame that Buchholz has only been able to put it together for 10-15 starts a season because, in those games, he looks everything like the Cy Young-esque pitcher we thought he would become. Getting those types of starts from the fifth starter would, at least, demonstrate the strength of the Red Sox starting rotation.
Where Buchholz is concerned, though, you always have to fear when (not if, but when) he’ll go on the DL. Under that pretense, his start against Milwaukee on April 5 was worrying because his fastball just wasn’t fast. Most of his fastballs were 88-89 mph (a couple reached 90 mph), which left little difference between his fastball and 85-86 mph change-up. And both pitches had little movement on them; they were left up in the zone and Brewers hitters hammered them.
Buchholz couldn’t throw his curveball effectively either, which usually doesn’t concern me because a curveball is tough for any pitcher to throw in cold weather (aces like Clayton Kershaw and Adam Wainwright both had trouble snapping off curveballs last October), but since Buchholz’s other pitches weren’t working, now it could be a cause for concern; if only because he doesn’t have a third pitch to rely on when his fastball isn’t humming.
But Buchholz’s loss of velocity is my biggest concern, because it could mean he’s holding back and that’s indicative of an injury. The Red Sox have enough depth to cover for an injured starter – Brandon Workman has looked great so far – but I’ll take Buchholz at 100% over Workman; or Jon Lester, or John Lackey, or mostly any other pitcher, quite honestly. Without a healthy Buchholz, the Red Sox once strong rotation now has just another fifth starter. Even if that starter is Workman or one of the prospects in Pawtucket, it will still led to more losses than when Buchholz is pitching.
Will Middlebrooks – A day after hitting a solo home run and looking like he was getting hot at the plate, Middlebrooks was scratched from the lineup on April 5 because of a leg cramp; and wasn’t even available to pinch hit in what became an extra innings loss where the Red Sox really could have used his bat. He’s missing from the April 6 lineup as well, and reports say he’s getting an MRI on his right calf. Middlebrooks was placed on the 15 day DL about point-five seconds after I wrote that part I crossed out. Sigh.
Unlike depth at other positions, Red Sox don’t have much depth at third base until Garin Cecchini is MLB-ready. The team lucked out last year with Jose Iglesias, after Middlebrooks worked himself into a well deserved demotion to Pawtucket.
Middlebrooks hit .194 in April 2013, and just .138 in June 2013 before being sent down – and he was making a throwing error to first base every 5-6 games, it seemed. Jose Iglesias served has surprise depth the Red Sox didn’t realize that they had, and the fact that Wil Myers won the Rookie of the Year award over Iglesias was a crime. Iglesias at least should have been awarded some sort of combo Gold Glove for SS/3B or something. Not to digress, but why doesn’t a utility infielder Gold Glove exist?
Regardless, Iglesias is on the DL now, so even if the Red Sox kept him, they would still have to depend on Middlebrooks because the other options are Brock Holt and Brandon Synder. But can the Red Sox depend on Middlebrooks? He has yet to play a full MLB season, and this year is Will’s third chance to get it together and play for a season without being injured or optioned to Pawtucket. Beyond durability, the other issue with Middlebrooks is his lack of plate discipline. In the few games he’s played in 2014, he’s still swinging at those outside pitches that can produce ground outs.
If Middlebrooks puts in another season where he’s not durable or improving at the plate, the Red Sox will need to make a decision on whether to give him another shot or cut bait. In 2013, Middlebrooks forced the team to make a decision mid-season and they had Jose Iglesias to fall back on. But in 2014, if Middlebrooks again forces the Red Sox to make a decision about him, then he might be part of a trade to bring a professional third baseman to Boston. The Red Sox have given Middlebrooks more than enough chances to win the job at third base, and it should be do-or-die time for him.
A.J. Pierzynski – As a writer, it’s in my best interests if the Red Sox cut Pierzynski because I won’t need to keep Googling that mess of a surname to make sure I’m spelling it correctly…
AJP (there, that’s better) has turned in a solid career as a catcher, and he had a better season than Jarrod Saltalamachia last year. Keep in mind that 2013 was likely Salty’s career year: he had a .372 average for balls in play, but still struck out at the same rate. So Salty had a lot of good luck at the plate last year, which made up for him being horrible behind the plate: he allowed 89 stolen bases, and had the most total baserunners try to steal off of him.
AJP isn’t the best defensive catcher, but he’s still a threat to gun down baserunners and a threat at the plate, so the Red Sox choosing AJP over Salty was a no-brainer.
Unfortunately, AJP looks like he put on weight over the offseason, and he’s looked bad at the plate. He hasn’t looked great behind the plate either, but he hasn’t been horrible. Hopefully he’s just off to a slow start and this isn’t his age finally catching up to him. AJP’s slow start would be easier to swallow if he appeared to be hustling, though. Players are judged by Boston fans on how much hustle they show, and if AJP doesn’t start hitting soon, he’s going to have a really rocky relationship with the Red Sox fan base.
Xander Bogaerts – Bogaerts looks like a mature veteran at the plate, and I would be surprised if he didn’t rake 200 hits this season. In fact, I’d place some money on Bogaerts eventually passing Pete Rose and becoming baseball’s all time hits leader. But his fielding is a work in process. Besides the balls that were within his range but he couldn’t field, there were balls out of his range that Stephen Drew or Jose Iglesias would have reached. Boston fans were spoiled with superior shortstop fielding in 2013, and other teams have it worse. (How’s Segura working out for Milwaukee? And who’s that 40 year geezer playing in the Bronx?) But, hopefully Bogaerts will improve in the field. If he doesn’t, then perhaps Bogaerts can be the third baseman of the future if Middlebrooks doesn’t work out.
Like I mentioned from the start, none of this negativity means it’s the end of the world. But it’s just a few things to keep in mind and worry about, if you’re the worrying type of person. If you’re cheering for the Red Sox, then I’ll just assume you’re the worrying type.
Video: UConn Men Headed To National Championship Game
Huskies All-Access gives us a look back at the UConn Huskies 63-53 win over the Florida Gators on Saturday night.
UConn will take on the Kentucky Wildcats in Monday’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Game.
Sunday Red Sox Delight – 4/6
After falling for the second straight game last night, the Boston Red Sox look to salvage the finale of the three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers this afternoon at Fenway Park.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Brewers market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Wisconsin. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.
Jon Lester makes his second start of the 2014 season and the first at the Fens. In his first start on Opening Day, he took the loss after allowing two runs on six hits in seven innings of work. He took the loss in his lone career start against the Brew Crew back in 2011 after allowing four runs (three earned) in eight innings of work at the Fens.
Yovani Gallardo gets the ball for the second time in 2014. In his first start, Gallardo got the win after throwing six shutout innings on Opening Day. His lone career start against the Red Sox came in 2011 at the Fens where he took the loss after allowing eight runs (five earned) in three innings of work.
 3-2 |
 2-3 |
||
| 1. Carlos Gomez | CF | 1. Daniel Nava | RF |
| 2. Rickie Weeks | 2B | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Ryan Braun | RF | 3. David Ortiz | DH |
| 4. Aramis Ramirez | DH | 4. Mike Napoli | 1B |
| 5. Jonathan Lucroy | C | 5. Xander Bogaerts | SS |
| 6. Khris Davis | LF | 6. Jonny Gomes | LF |
| 7. Mark Reynolds | 3B | 7. Jonathan Herrera | 3B |
| 8. Lyle Overbay | 1B | 8. Jackie Bradley Jr. | CF |
| 9. Jeff Bianchi | SS | 9. David Ross | C |
| Yovani Gallardo | SP | Jon Lester | SP |
NOTES:
Will Middlebrooks has been placed on the 15-day DL with a strained calf. To replace him on the 25-man roster, the Red Sox recalled Brock Holt from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.
More links will be added if/when they become available so please check back often.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
A few Red Sox trouble spots to start the season [sox & dawgs]
Middlebrooks (calf) to DL; Holt called up [clubhouse insider]
Middlebrooks (calf) placed on 15-day DL [csn new england]
Herrera back at third after super sub performance [csn new england]
Notes: Sizemore, Carp, Uehara available Sunday [csn new england]
Breslow to have one more rehab outing [espn boston]
Will Middlebrooks placed on DL [espn boston]
Sox face Brewers looking for first Fenway win [espn boston]
Holt gets to stick around this time [espn boston]
Sunday notes: Will Middlebrooks (right calf) heads to DL, Brock Holt recalled, Garin Cecchini on hold for now [full count]
For Brock Holt, a better start to second year with Red Sox [full count]
Boston Red Sox Prospects: Players At Each Level Worth Watching In 2014 [nesn]
Will Middlebrooks Placed On DL With Calf Strain; Red Sox Recall Brock Holt [nesn]
John McDonald’s Wife Picks Up World Series Ring During Ceremony At Fenway [nesn]
Will Middlebrooks hits disabled list with right calf strain [providence journal]
Red Sox turn to Lester in series finale against Brewers [red sox]
Sunday Mail: A 5-games-into-the-season gripe about the Red Sox’ third base depth [touching all the bases]
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
photo credits: getty images, getty images
Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 4/6
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 the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis.
Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.
It’s game day for the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team as they’ll take on the Stanford Cardinal in the Final Four in Nashville, TN. Tip is scheduled for approximately 9 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN. The game will also be available online and on your tablet/mobile device at WatchESPN. If you can’t watch the broadcast and live locally in Connecticut you can listen to the game on the UConn IMG Radio Network with Bob Joyce and Debbie Fiske.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
UConn Women’s Basketball links
UConn Women’s Final Four Pregame Quotes [sox & dawgs]
UConn’s Breanna Stewart Named Player of the Year by the Associated Press [sox & dawgs]
National Powerhouses UConn & Notre Dame to Participate in 2014 Jimmy V Women’s Classic [sox & dawgs]
UConn Women’s Trio Named WBCA All-Americans [sox & dawgs]
UConn’s previous trip to Nashville one to forget [carl adamec – sny uconn]
ND’s Achonwa praises UConn recruit Nurse [carl adamec – sny uconn]
Will Stanford be on guard for Jefferson? [carl adamec – sny uconn]
Different teams, UConn seeks same result [carl adamec – sny uconn]
The Best UConn Lineup Ever? Apples And Oranges [john altavilla – hartford courant]
Lawson Says Stanford Has Best Shot At UConn [john altavilla – hartford courant]
Geno (And USA Basketball) Love Kayla McBride [john altavilla – hartford courant]
Lobo, Burke Discuss Ways UConn Could Lose [rich elliott – ct post]
UConn Returns To Nashville 22 Years After Loss [rich elliott – ct post]
Hard Work Paid Off For Stewart [rich elliott – ct post]
Ogwumike Says Don’t Count Out The Cardinal [rich elliott – ct post]
Staying under control key for UConn’s Stewart [jim fuller – new haven register]
No. 1 UConn Ready for National Semifinal Battle With Stanford [uconn huskies]
UConn playing villain to Final Four field [ct post]
Keys for UConn women against Stanford [ct post]
Countdown to collision? ND vs. UConn [ct post]
Seems UConn Women Have Potential To Be Geno Auriemma’s Best Every Season [hartford courant]
Women’s Notebook: Auriemma, Notre Dame’s McBride Have Shared A Huddle [hartford courant]
Taking Steps To Honor Kay Yow’s Wishes [hartford courant]
Stanford’s Chiney Ogwumike, Entertainer And Athlete Extraordinaire [hartford courant]
Ogwumike, Stanford stand in way of Stewart, UConn [new haven register]
UConn’s ready for Stanford’s best shot [the day]
UConn: From ‘safety’ to ‘destination’ school [the day]
Family waits 6 hours for UConn autographs [the tennessean]
UConn ignoring pressure as 40-0 season looms [the tennessean]
Final Four breakdown: Connecticut Huskies [the tennessean]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Video: Daniels Leads UConn Past Florida For Berth In NCAA Championship Game [sox & dawgs]
UConn Men’s Final Four Postgame Quotes [sox & dawgs]
‘One More To Go;’ UConn 63, Florida 53: Wrapping Things Up From Arlington [dom amore – hartford courant]
No Fluke Here: UConn Heading to National Championship Game After Final Four Win Over Florida [david borges – new haven register]
Post-game breakdown, video: Florida [gavin keefe – the day]
Gators gone, Kentucky next [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]
UConn notebook: Defense turns it around; Samuel enjoys FF; Kentucky up next [william paxton – ct post]
Huskymania is alive and well [john silver – sny uconn]
Daniels, UConn advance to Final Four [ct post]
These Huskies have carved out their own identity [ct post]
No element of shock with these Huskies [ct post]
UConn Shows Heart The Size Of Texas [hartford courant]
DeAndre Comes Through With A Giant Of A Game [hartford courant]
Florida Proud Of Its Season [hartford courant]
From The Ashes Of Nothing To Play For, Ultimate Redemption Is In Sight [hartford courant]
UConn beats Florida, reaches national title game [new haven register]
UConn defense becoming a monster [new haven register]
No luck, no fluke, just another chance to be champions [new haven register]
UConn upsets No. 1 Florida and advances to national final [the day]
Daniels sparks UConn comeback [the day]
Finally On The Radar [sports on earth]
UConn’s perfect plan brings an end to Florida’s dream season [sports illustrated]
Kevin Ollie: ‘Believers, Not Doubters’ [espn]
UConn knocks off No. 1 Florida and will play for national title [usa today]
How much money each Final Four coach would make with title win [usa today]
Overlooked Huskies prove they belong in title game [yahoo! sports]
Daniels, doubt powers to UConn to final [csn new england]
In the Bonus: Drummond’s dominant season [csn new england]
Other UConn related links
Softball. UConn Softball Swept In Doubleheader Vs. Houston On Saturday [uconn huskies]
W. Tennis. Huskies Edge Georgetown, 4-3 [uconn huskies]
W. Track. Women’s Track and Field Tallies Nine Top Finishes at UConn Invitational [uconn huskies]
Baseball. UConn Falls To Stony Brook, 6-3 [uconn huskies]
W. Lacrosse. Women’s Lacrosse Wins Sixth Straight Game On Saturday [uconn huskies]
M. Track. Huskies Compete In Fourth Annual Dog Fight Against Albany [uconn huskies]
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Destination Red Sox Nation – 4/6
Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found below.
If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Boston Red Sox Prospects: Players At Each Level Worth Watching In 2014 [nesn]
Pawtucket Red Sox
The PawSox held off the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for a 6-4 win.
PawSox Slug Past ‘Pigs, 6-4 [pawsox]
De La Rosa tosses five shutout innings [providence journal]
PawSox Journal: Cecchini is already impressing [providence journal]
Extra paws among the PawSox at McCoy Stadium’s Bark in the Park [providence journal]
Lehigh Valley IronPigs @ Pawtucket Red Sox 4/5/14 box score [milb]
International League 2014 Standings
Portland Sea Dogs:
The Reading Fightin Phils got a run in the 7th to beat the Sea Dogs 3-2.
Sea Dogs Downed 3-2 in Reading [portland sea dogs]
Sea Dogs bats go quiet in 3-2 loss at Reading [portland press herald]
On Baseball: Red Sox are ‘just fine,’ the prospects are too [portland press herald]
Portland Sea Dogs @ Reading Fightin Phils 4/5/14 box score [milb]
Salem Red Sox:
Salem got three in the 1st inning on their way to a 5-2 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
Sox Stay Perfect, Down Pelicans 5-2 [salem red sox]
Salem Red Sox continue winning streak [roanoke times]
Salem Red Sox @ Myrtle Beach Pelicans 4/5/14 box score [milb]
Carolina League 2014 standings
Greenville Drive:
The Drive used a six run 3rd inning to beat the Kannapolis Intimidators 6-2.
Light Dominates in Drive’s 8-2 Victory [greenville drive]
Greenville Drive @ Kannapolis Intimidators 4/6/14 box score [milb]
South Atlantic League 2014 Standings
Lowell Spinners:
The Lowell Spinners 2014 season kicks off on Friday, June 13 when they’ll host the Vermont Lake Monsters.
Final Lowell Spinners 2013 Roster
Final Lowell Spinners 2013 stats
Final NY-Penn League 2013 Standings
Gulf Coast League Red Sox
The GCL Red Sox kick off their 2014 season on Friday June 20 when they’ll host the GCL Twins.
Final Gulf Coast League 2013 Standings
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Video: Brewers Slip Past Red Sox 7-6 in 11 Innings
Like the weather in the Back Bay on Saturday night, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz was ice cold. Or in the words of Charles Barkley, he was “turrible”.
Buchholz allowed six runs on 13 hits in 4.1 innings of work. The bullpen backed him up and along with the offense made it a game.
Unfortunately, Logan Schafer‘s RBI double in the 11th scored Khris Davis to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 7-6 win over the Red Sox in 11 innings.
Chris Capuano, Brandon Workman, Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa combined to scatter four hits and a walk while 13 in 5.2 innings to keep the Red Sox in the game.
Mike Napoli had two hits, including a three-run home run that cut the lead to 6-5. Xander Bogaerts hot streak to start 2014 continued with two more hits.
MOBILE/TABLET LINK (full game highlights)
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 Fox Sports Wisconsin and Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Brewers Bar.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
photo credit: ap photo
Wolf Pack Pick Up 2-1 Win In Shootout Over Bruins
Hartford, CT, April 5, 2014 – Hartford Wolf Pack goaltender David LeNeveu had his shutout streak ended Saturday night at the XL Center against the Providence Bruins, but LeNeveu made 26 saves in regulation and overtime, and stopped five out of six in the shootout, as the Wolf Pack pulled out a 2-1 win.
“Every point is important right now, tonight we just had to bear down and make sure we got two instead of one,” LeNeveu said. “It’s not about the streak or personal stats, it’s not about anything except for team points right now. I’m just trying to go out there and make the next save and the next save after that.”
The victory was the first for the Wolf Pack in six games against the Bruins on the year, and improved the Pack’s season record to 32-31-1-6 for 71 points, marking the first time Hartford has been over .500 since November 27.
Ryan Bourque scored the shootout winner Saturday and T.J. Hensick also scored in the shootout, and J.T. Miller had the only Wolf Pack goal in regulation. Alexander Khokhlachev scored for Providence, and Malcolm Subban made 24 saves and went four-for-six in the shootout.
LeNeveu, who brought a franchise-record streak of three straight shutouts into the game, had a scoreless run snapped at 200:31 at 14:37 of the first period, when Khokhlachev scored his seventh goal in six games against the Wolf Pack.
Zach Trotman grabbed off a Wolf Pack dump-in in his own zone and sent Khokhlachev off on a break through center. Khokhlachev carried down left wing in the Hartford zone and fired a shot that went off of LeNeveu and found its way into the net.
The Wolf Pack tied the score only 1:12 into the second period, on a goal by Miller that turned out to be the only scoring of the second.
Tommy Hughes fed the puck from the blue line to Miller on the right-wing boards, and Miller’s one-timer beat Subban, whose view was obscured by the Wolf Pack’s Micheal Haley and Bruin defenseman Mike Moore, who were battling for position in front.
The rest of regulation was scoreless, and both teams had a power play in overtime but neither was able to convert. In the shootout, the Wolf Pack were down to their last chance, after Subban had stopped Danny Kristo, Miller, Jesper Fast and Marek Hrivik in succession, and Seth Griffith had beaten LeNeveu on the Bruins’ third shot.
Hensick kept the Wolf Pack alive, though, scoring in the fifth round, and Bourque converted on the Pack’s sixth shot. LeNeveu then denied Craig Cunningham on Providence’s sixth attempt to secure the win.
The Wolf Pack are back in home ice action Sunday, as the Norfolk Admirals visit the XL Center for a 5:00 PM game. This is the last chance for fans to take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Sunday Family Value Packs”. Those include two tickets, two hot dogs and two sodas, starting at only $35.
Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger. To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.
Providence Bruins 1 at Hartford Wolf Pack 2 (SO)
Saturday, April 5, 2014 – XL Center
Providence 1 0 0 0 – 1
Hartford 0 1 0 0 – 2
1st Period-1, Providence, Khokhlachev 21 (Trotman), 14:37. Penalties-Robins Pro (fighting), 3:32; McIlrath Hfd (fighting), 3:32; Khokhlachev Pro (tripping), 5:02; Bourque Hfd (interference), 10:05; McIlrath Hfd (tripping), 17:36; Cunningham Pro (interference), 18:56.
2nd Period-2, Hartford, Miller 13 (Hughes, Johnson), 1:12. Penalties-Fraser Pro (goaltender interference), 7:55; McIlrath Hfd (roughing), 12:36.
3rd Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Cunningham Pro (high-sticking), 4:02; Bourque Hfd (slashing), 5:11.
OT Period- No Scoring. Penalties-Miller Hfd (hooking), 0:30; Moore Pro (tripping), 3:49.
Shootout – Providence 1 (Knight NG, Spooner NG, Griffith G, Khokhlachev NG, Johnson NG, Cunningham NG), Hartford 2 (Kristo NG, Miller NG, Fast NG, Hrivik NG, Hensick G, Bourque G).
Shots on Goal-Providence 9-6-10-2-0-27. Hartford 9-4-10-2-1-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Providence 0 / 5; Hartford 0 / 5.
Goalies-Providence, Subban 14-8-5 (25 shots-24 saves). Hartford, LeNeveu 8-8-0 (27 shots-26 saves).
A-4,421
Referees-Geoff Miller (28), Chris Ciamaga (24).
Linesmen-Glen Cooke (6), Luke Galvin (2).
UConn Men’s Final Four Postgame Quotes
UConn Huskies men’s basketball coach Kevin Ollie along with Shabazz Napier, Ryan Boatright and DeAndre Daniels met with the media following UConn’s 63-53 win over the Florida Gators to advance to Monday night’s NCAA Championship Game.
Here’s what they had to say:
THE MODERATOR: We’ll go ahead and get started with an opening statement from coach and then take questions for the student‑athletes.
COACH OLLIE: It was a great victory. We were together, we stayed positive and productive, especially in that first five minutes when they got out to a lead. I was very happy with my student‑athletes how they recovered.
We played great second‑half defense and kind of took them out of their pick‑and‑roll motion offense. We started making shots and great ball movement and great body movement. They stayed together and they showed some true grit and toughness. I’m very proud of their effort.
THE MODERATOR: Take questions for the student‑athletes.
Q. Ryan, what was coach’s defensive message to you guys if you could remember in the pregame talk in the locker room before you headed out?
RYAN BOATRIGHT: He just said we had to play 40 full on the defensive end, and we just had to help each other one defense. The rotations had to be on point. If we could disturb and get Scottie Wilbekin as uncomfortable as we can, we would have a nice chance to win the game.
Q. Ryan, you guys win, you win comfortably, and you don’t need a heroic effort from Shabazz, who had a good but not amazing game. Can you speak to the team itself and how it can be so balanced and be composed and beat the No. 1 team in the country without needing 22 points and 14 assists from Shabazz?
RYAN BOATRIGHT: We have been saying all year that we have got a complete team. It’s not a one‑man team, it’s not a two‑man team. We got a complete team.
They were double‑teaming Shabazz a lot, and the unselfish player that he is, he was just giving it up, making plays for his teammates and everybody stepped up.
Q. Ryan, what is it that makes this team so good at overcoming adversity?
RYAN BOATRIGHT: We have been through a lot with each other. This group of guys has been together for three years, and in them three years, we have been through a lot. We love each other and we believe in each other. Even if nobody believes in us, we believe in each other and we believe in our coaching staff. We got a lot of heart and a lot of pride for this university.
Q. When it was 16‑4 and you guys are discombobulated, was there anything said that really felt like turned it around?
SHABAZZ NAPIER: We have been through a lot of dogfights and we continue to believe in each other. We didn’t point fingers when we were down. We just understood that this was a game, going to be a game of runs. When we were down 16‑4, we just looked at each other and said we got to put the pressure on, ante up, because this could be our last 40 minutes and we didn’t want that.
Q. Despite beating Florida earlier in the year, a lot of people were picking them to win this game, what type of motivation was it for you and did you feel disrespected at all that some people were questioning even the fact that you had beat them earlier this year?
DeANDRE DANIELS: Well, we feel like we have been doubted the whole season, definitely heading into the tournament when people didn’t have us winning the first game. But that’s what drives us and everybody just is going out there. When people say that, we like to go out and try to prove people wrong and let them know that UConn’s back on top.
Q. DeAndre, I know you almost played at the University of Texas. Just talk about that recruiting. Were you committed to them and having the unusual big game here in Texas?
DeANDRE DANIELS: Yeah, like you said, I always liked Texas when I was a little kid, and I committed to them when I was in like ninth grade, 10th grade. I think that the reason why I de‑committed was because I felt like it wasn’t the best fit for me. And that’s when I came to UConn, and I’m happy with the decision that I made.
Q. DeAndre, you probably knew Florida was going to try it key on the guards. Can you talk about what specifically you saw from their defense that you were able to capitalize both inside and outside?
DeANDRE DANIELS: Well, first of all, when we started off a little bit slow and we just told guys just to stay with it and keep believing in each other. We felt like our defense is pretty good and we just needed to keep playing UConn basketball and just get to that and scoring. That’s what we did.
But the guys are definitely keying in on Shabazz and the pick‑and‑rolls and double‑teaming him. So, he’s an unselfish player and kept passing and moving the ball, and them guys was knocking down shots with Ryan and Niels and everybody else that came in the game. With Terrence and everybody, had a big role in this game today.
Q. Shabazz, how important was it to get DeAndre the ball down low, especially you ran Ryan, set him up for a couple lobs, and you also ran off the court holding one finger. What were you trying to tell them there?
SHABAZZ NAPIER: Just simple, one more to go. But DeAndre, we understood that Florida has a great 1‑3‑1 and we have been working on it and preparing for it, because we understood that when it was going to come down to, they were going to play it. Wilbekin being 6’2″, DeAndre being 6’9″, me and Ryan being the good point guards we are, we wanted to throw the ball higher for DeAndre to get it.
Wilbekin couldn’t grab it or even deflect it. So DeAndre was just making good catches and plays and we needed to have that. When we had the alley‑oop, he came down with it and finished it. Coaches were making sure that we were prepared for the 1‑3‑1 zones that they were going to throw at us and we took advantage of it.
Q. Shabazz, everybody likes to compare this team to 2011, can you talk about how this team has been able to establish its own identity and make a run in the tournament?
SHABAZZ NAPIER: We have totally different players, totally different. As a head coach, totally different coach. We understand we’re going to get compared to them, but like we always said, we want to create our own path. We want to do the same thing that team did, win a championship, but at the end of the day, we want to go on our own path.
We just believe in each other. We want to continue to work for each other and push each other. When you give everything you got out there, good things can happen.
Q. Shabazz, also the other guys, too, at 16‑4 early in the game, DeAndre knocks down that big three. You guys knock down a couple of shots to get right back in it. Right away, did you guys feel the momentum at that time shift your way permanently or did you guys feel at that point that you had kind of taken their best punch?
SHABAZZ NAPIER: Yeah, we understood that they came out and they came out full intensity. Sometimes it happens in the game. But we keep our composure. We have been in so many dogfights. We sat down after coach called the timeout and he just said, Guys, we have been in this position before, believe in each other.
They were leaving DeAndre open because they were doubling and doing all sorts of things and he took advantage of it. When he knocked down that three, our fans went crazy and then we understood what was going to happen next. We just believed in each other and kept fighting.
RYAN BOATRIGHT: We really can’t answer that no better than Shabazz said. He pretty much said everything that we went through at that moment.
But we are so unselfish, we didn’t really care who was doing the scoring. We just needed to get points on the board and we were happy for each other. Once we got the shots falling for us, we just picked it up on the defensive end. I tried to be the emotional leader on the defensive end and pick up full court and try to get turnovers. So we score in track circumstance and we just hit the ground running after that.
THE MODERATOR: All right. We’ll excuse you to the locker room and take questions for coach.
Q. Coach, was there a specific factor that made your half court defense so effective tonight?
COACH OLLIE: We just wanted to be relentless, make them uncomfortable. We wanted to challenge every dribble, every pass. They really wanted to attack empty elbows, if you understand what I’m saying, where they’re coming off pick‑and‑rolls. They want to dive the big guy, and then they want to get and take the basketball in the middle of the court.
So we wanted to kind of keep them on the baseline. We wanted to show out and double, have them kick it to Finney‑Smith or Yeguete and have them make a play, then Scottie Wilbekin can make the play or Frazier can make the play, because they’re just terrific shooters, they’re also great facilitators and we wanted to kind of keep them out of the game.
Q. There’s been a clear evolution of your defense. You’ve talked about how well they played against Michigan State, obviously, what they did tonight. Can you recall a watershed moment maybe a particular game a practice, where you just sought light went on and every single guy was willing to subscribe to playing the type of defense you wanted them to play?
COACH OLLIE: We have been playing great defense all year. We have been holding our opponents under 39 percent, and you know that’s one of our goals. So that’s been throughout the whole year we have been playing outstanding defense.
Of course we had some bumps in the road like any team has during the season, and I believe that Louisville game was a bump in the road. But I think that really promoted us. A lot of people are saying that was going to destroy us, but our team thought it promoted us to get better. When you have a big problem like that, bigger the destiny. And I know this team was destined for great, even in that downtime. We came back and worked. We made adjustments from that game and I thought we got better from it.
Q. Yesterday, you talked a lot about how you’re a complete team and you repeated it over and over again. Do you think people finally realized it today?
COACH OLLIE: I’m not sure. I’m not in y’all heads and I don’t know if y’all keep thinking it’s a one‑man team, but it’s not. We got great players. But most importantly, we have great teammates. Everybody can be a great teammate every day.
I think they really bought into that. It’s a team game. They invested in each other. Shabazz is the first one to tell you, and I keep telling everybody, that it’s not just him. He’s a willing passer. He’s a great facilitator. Now he scores out of necessity, which I want. But he’s a great facilitator. He gives the ball up to DeAndre and makes plays for DeAndre.
Ryan Boatright has done a whole 360. If anybody seen him his sophomore year to now, I mean, it’s like night and day. Him being a facilitator, him making other people better. That’s what you do. That’s how you mature as a basketball player, but that’s how you mature as a man. You see all those guys growing up.
Q. Not only after you’re down 16to4, your team comes back and really races back. But also in the second half, each time Florida calls a timeout, tries to stop the bleeding, y’all come out and just come right back with that same energy. How did you instill in this team that level of energy and that level of ‘don’t give up’ that they showed so clearly tonight?
COACH OLLIE: We got in the huddle and I told the guys, I wrote on the board, Even now faith. Even now we’re down 16 and 4, you’re going to have faith in each other. I knew we were going to get back in the game. They knew we were going to get back in the game. It just was going to have it take one possession at a time. Getting stops.
How they got down, they got four offensive rebounds in that first five minutes. So we wanted to get on that defensive back board, wanted to start pushing the basketball. We wanted to have ball movement and body movement.
I thought we started doing that, we started sharing the ball. Our guards started getting in the lane, jump stopping, finding DeAndre Daniels for three. We started penetrating and getting in the thick of the defense. I thought they did a wonderful job executing the game plan.
But it starts on the defensive end. We heard it over and over again, Michigan State, Madison Square Garden was a home court advantage for us. We shot 34 percent in Madison Square Garden. So what kind of home court advantage was that? Our fans were there, but we shot 34 percent. We live and die on defense. You have to recognize that. Hopefully everybody understands that.
We played tenacious defense. We played relentless defense. It’s not always perfect all the time, but we’re going to play 40 full. That’s what I believe in my guys. They are terrific, terrific people because they do not take no for an answer. They want to play more. They are built for one more.
We got a chance and I thank God for that. I just want to really thank Billy Donovan. He’s a great, terrific coach. Florida’s a great team, 30‑game winning streak, great coach, Hall of Fame coach, and it’s just an honor to play against him and also compete.
Q. Scottie Wilbekin has made his living in the paint in this tournament all season long, and you mentioned that Boatright came in as a scorer and he had to subscribe to your philosophy of defense. How long did that take and how difficult is it to keep Wilbekin out of the lane because you guys made it look easy.
COACH OLLIE: It’s very difficult. It wasn’t just Ryan Boatright. It was our bigs showing out on screen‑and‑rolls. It was us getting back in transition. We always say transition starts on the shot, so when those shots was going up, we was getting back in transition, pointing and locating.
Especially Wilbekin and Frazier, we really wanted to keep them out of the game. Frazier, he reads off of Wilbekin when he gets in the lane. You have a hard dive by Young. You got to play Young. Then you really give up Frazier on the field cut. So we wanted to really stay on Wilbekin, keep him out of the lane, keep him on one side. I thought we did a great job of that starting with Ryan. And then it just started with everybody. That was our key. We call it the ace of spades, that was the ace of spades in this game and we wanted to take him out.
Q. How much did last year help in building chemistry for your guys and would you explain what was the secret or what would you say is the secret to the bond that your guys have?
COACH OLLIE: It’s just going through the dark days believing. They just believe in each other. No matter if they’re down, no matter if they’re banned, no matter if they can’t play in the NCAA tournament, they just believe. They keep fighting.
I keep telling them, they stay in the middle of the ring, they keep throwing punches. When everybody counts us out, thinking we’re on the mat, we get back up. That’s what this university’s all about.
This is what UConn has built over the years, starting with Coach Calhoun and keeping the tradition. We’re just tough‑minded individuals. When we’re down, we know if we keep progressing and we keep staying together, sooner or later, we’re going to come out.
Like I said, Even now faith. Even now in the tough times we are going to keep believing in each other. I keep saying the bigger the problem, the bigger the destiny. We knew this destiny was coming. Because our problems that we faced, we overcame them together. It wasn’t just one individual, wasn’t just one coach. It was everybody sticking together and that’s what we built UConn on.
Q. You talked so much about your defense. But can you talk a little bit about your offensive philosophy in this game, switching big and small, and particularly how effective your three‑guard lineup was?
COACH OLLIE: It was very effective. We wanted to stretch the court. We wanted to get gaps. They were kind of loading up, which all great defenses do, they load up on the first side. So we wanted to get it to the second side, wanted to swing it to the third side, and then start attacking.
Then our three guards really gave us space on the court and they made great decisions. Once they got in the lane, they were able to kick out. Also DeAndre was able to come in and get some lobs back behind their 1‑3‑1.
So they just followed the game plan. They did a remarkable job shooting the ball, especially in the Dome. I don’t know if it’s a record, but 55 percent in the Dome might be a record.
But we want to continue to play, we want to continue to get good shots and be unselfish. I think we did that and we want to compete one more night and play one more 40 full on the offensive end and the defensive end.
Here are the Florida Gators postgame quotes.
quotes courtesy of asap sports
photo credit: ap photo
Video: Daniels Leads UConn Past Florida For Berth In NCAA Championship Game
For the third straight game, the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team found themselves in quite a hole early on.
And with this coming against the No. 1 overall seed the Florida Gators this time around, it wasn’t going to be an easy task. But just like they had done in the previous two, the Huskies found a way to do something magical.
DeAndre Daniels had a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead UConn past Florida 63-53 to advance the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Game on Monday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
The Huskies will take on the Kentucky Wildcats who beat the Wisconsin Badgers 74-73 in the second game.
UConn improves to 31-8 while Florida finishes their season at 36-3. Two of the Gators’ three losses on the season came against the Huskies.
Ryan Boatright added 13 points and six rebounds while Shabazz Napier had 12 points, six assists and four steals. Niels Giffey rounded out the Huskies in double-digits with 11 points.
Patric Young paced Florida with 19 points and had five rebounds. Casey Prather added 15 points and a team-high six rebounds.
The Gators got out of the gates quickly with runs of 9-2 and 7-2 to take a 16-4 lead with 9:48 to go in the first half. However UConn responded with an 11-0 run behind Daniels, Boatright and Terrence Samuel to cut the lead to one.
They had two chances to take the lead but both Daniels and Boatright missed jumpers. Florida would get their lead back to five points before a Napier three and Giffey old fashioned three point play would give the Huskies their first lead at 21-20.
That lead didn’t last too long though as a Prather jumper put the Gators back out front. UConn would close out the half with the final four points.
The Huskies extended their lead to nine to start the second half with the first six points before Kasey Hill got Florida on the scoreboard with a free throw. Over the next few minutes, the lead would stay between six and eight points before UConn would push it to 10 points at 39-29.
A 9-2 Gators run would cut the Huskies lead to three points and the lead hovered their for a bit. Then UConn went on an 8-1 run to get their lead back to 10. The Gators would get no closer than six points the rest of the way.
Once again facing adversity, the Huskies prevailed. UConn head coach Kevin Ollie made great adjustments and with the mentality and confidence he brings to the team, you could tell they weren’t going to give up.
Now they’re one win away from their fourth national championship and second in the last four years.
UConn Huskies vs Florida Gators 2014 Final Four box score
photo credits: stephen dunn, richard messina – hartford courant