UConn’s Shabazz Napier Earns First Team All-America Honors From USBWA

ST. LOUIS – University of Connecticut senior guard Shabazz Napier (Roxbury, Mass.) has been named a First Team All-American by the United States Basketball Writers Association, as announced by the organization Wednesday.

UConn HuskiesNapier, who was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year earlier today, led the Huskies in points (17.8), rebounds (6.0), assists (5.2) and steals (1.8) this season, becoming the only UConn player to ever lead in each of those categories throughout a regular season. His 19.3 points per game in American Athletic Conference play were the second-highest mark among all players, and he earned Conference Player of the Week Honors five times throughout UConn's 2013-14 campaign.

His efforts propelled Connecticut to a 24-7 regular season record, which included two wins over the nationally ranked Memphis Tigers, who the Huskies face in the quarterfinals of the American Athletic Conference Championship Thursday night. Napier poured in a career-high 34 points on 10-of-21 shooting in UConn’s 86-81 overtime victory over Memphis on Feb. 15.

Arizona guard Nick Johnson, Duke forward Jabari Parker, Louisville guard Russ Smith and Creighton forward Doug McDermott rounded out the remaining spots on USBWA’s All-America First Team. McDermott led the nation in scoring, averaging 26.5 points a game, while Smith was named to the All-Conference First Team along with Napier.   

Napier has also been named as a finalist for the Naismith Trophy, Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award, Senior CLASS Award and the John Wooden Award. No. 21 Connecticut’s game against No. 19 Memphis is set for a 9 p.m. tipoff and it can be seen on ESPNU and heard on the UConn IMG Radio Network.

2013-14 USBWA Men's All-America Team

First Team
Nick Johnson, G, Arizona
Doug McDermott, F, Creighton
Shabazz Napier, G, UConn
Jabari Parker, F, Duke
Russ Smith, G, Louisville

Second Team
Cleanthony Early, F, Wichita State
Melvin Ejim, F, Iowa State
C.J. Fair, F, Syracuse
Sean Kilpatrick, G, Cincinnati
Andrew Wiggins, G, Kansas

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UConn’s Shabazz Napier Named American Athletic Conference Player Of The Year

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (March 12, 2014) — After an outstanding season in which he led UConn to 12 conference victories, senior guard Shabazz Napier (Roxbury, Mass.) was named Wednesday as the American Athletic Conference 2014 Player of the Year.

UConn HuskiesNapier, who was recognized Tuesday as a unanimous selection to the All-Conference first team, was given the Player of the Year award by Commissioner Mike Aresco at the American Athletic Conference awards luncheon, the kickoff to the four-day American 2014 Championship, held at the FedExForum. The awards are decided by a vote of the league's 10 head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players.

Napier is the first UConn player since Hasheem Thabeet in 2008-09 to be named a conference Player of the Year. It marks the eighth time UConn has had a Player of the Year, all previously in the Big East Conference — Donyell Marshall (1993-94), Ray Allen (1995-96), Richard Hamilton (1997-98), Hamilton again (1998-99), Caron Butler (2001-02),  Emeka Okafor (2003-04), Thabeet, and Napier.   

In a conference loaded with nationally-acclaimed guards, no American Athletic Conference player has been more valuable to his team this season than Napier, who leads the 24-7 Huskies in scoring (17.8), rebounding (6.0), assists (5.2), steals (1.8) and minutes played (34.8). 

In conference games, the 6-1 standout finished the regular season ranked second in the league in scoring (19.3), third in assists (4.7), second in free throw percentage (.901), fifth in steals (1.8), fifth in three-pointers made (2.3), fifth in defensive rebounds (4.8), fourth in minutes played (35.1), 14th in three-point shooting percentage (.360), and 13th in overall rebounding (5.7).

Napier was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week five times and to the conference's weekly Honor Roll nine times. He recorded six doubles-doubles this season, including the second triple-double of his career on Nov. 11 against Yale. He has had 10 games of 20 points or more, two of at least 30 points, and has led the Huskies in scoring 18 times.

Napier — already named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association District I Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and a USBWA first-team All-American — is on the final watch list of nearly every major national award, including the John Wooden Award, the Naismith Trophy, the Oscar Robertson Trophy, the Senior CLASS Award, and the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award.

Cincinnati, which went 15-3 in conference play to earn a share of the first American Athletic Conference regular season-season championship, won three individual awards Wednesday. Head coach Mick Cronin was named the American Coach of the Year, while forward Justin Jackson was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Guard Sean Kilpatrick, who led the conference in points per game (22.2), was awarded the Sportsmanship Award.

Memphis also won multiple awards, as forward Austin Nichols earned Rookie of the Year honors and guard Michael Dixon Jr. was named the Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 13.3 points off the bench in all 18 conference games. Louisville forward Montezl Harris was tabbed the Most Improved Player and Temple forward Jimmy McDonnell was named the Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the conference’s academics affairs committee.

Napier and the Huskies, seeded No. 4 in the tournament, will begin play in The American 2014 Championship with a quarterfinal game on Thursday night (9 p.m. EDT) against No. 5 Memphis. The game will be televised by ESPNU.

2014 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Honors

Player of the Year
Shabazz Napier, G, UConn

Coach of the Year
Mick Cronin, Cincinnati

Rookie of the Year
Austin Nichols, F, Memphis

Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Jimmy McDonnell, F, Temple

Defensive Player of the Year
Justin Jackson, F, Cincinnati

Sixth Man of the Year
Michael Dixon Jr., G, Memphis

Most Improved Player
Montrezl Harrell, F, Louisville

Sportsmanship Award
Sean Kilpatrick, G, Cincinnati

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Wolf Pack Announce Season Ticket-holder “Mug Club”

HARTFORD, March 12, 2014:  Global Spectrum, operators of the XL Center and Hartford Wolf Pack, have announced an exciting new benefit for Wolf Pack season seat-holders, the Wolf Pack “Mug Club”.

Hartford Wolf PackStarting with next year’s Wolf Pack season, the 2014-15 AHL campaign, all Wolf Pack full season seat subscribers will receive their own exclusive mug, with which they can take advantage of a season ticket-holder- only beverage discount.

By bringing their personal 16-ounce Mug Club mug to Wolf Pack home games in 2014-15, season ticket-holders can enjoy $2 sodas and $4 beers at every home contest.

For information on all of the many advantages of purchasing Wolf Pack season seats, call (855) 762-6451 to speak with a representative.

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Gigantic SOX & Dawgs 2014 MLB Preview – Day 4 – AL Central

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2014 MLB preview.  Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary. 

SOX & Dawgs 2014 MLB Preview - AL CentralWe will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

Also added this year is some home stadium information along with dates the teams will play against the Boston Red Sox.  The red shaded games are at Fenway; the blue shaded games are road games.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication.  It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research. 

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.

Yesterday we looked at the NL Central, Sunday was the NL West, Monday was the AL West and today it’s the AL Central.

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

American League Central

Detroit is the class of the division and has been the last couple years and will be again in 2014.  Last season we saw the resurgence in Kansas City and Cleveland start to pay off as the Indians were a wild card team and the Royals hung in well into September. For the third consecutive season there’s a new manager in the division and this time it’s in Detroit who had to replace the retired Jim Leyland.

Detroit Tigers1. Detroit – Manager Brad Ausmus (1st year)

 Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers stands on the mound during Game Three of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park on October 15, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. After losing in the ALCS to the Boston Red Sox manager Jim Leyland decided to walk away after 8 years in Detroit.  While unable to win a title in that time he did lead the Tigers to two World Series appearances.  Taking over is Dartmouth College grad and CT native Brad Ausmus who is considered one of the top young baseball people in the game.  The Tiger lineup has a few changes with Prince Fielder in Texas as Ian Kinsler came over in the deal, back-to-back AL MVP Miguel Cabrera moved from 3B to 1B and the left side of the infield is young with 3B Nick Castellanos and SS Jose Iglesias. The rotation is top notch as they had another AL CYA winner in Max Scherzer and the backend issue has been solved by signing FA closer Joe Nathan.

Home Field: Comerica Park; Playing Surface: natural grass Opened: 2000; Capacity: 41,255

2013 Attendance: 3,083,397 (3rd in AL)

Key Players: 1B Miguel Cabrera; C Alex Avila; SP Justin Verlander; DH Victor Martinez; RP Joe Nathan

MVP Candidate: 1B Miguel Cabrera

Cy Young Candidate: SP Justin Verlander 

ROY Candidate: 3B Nick Castellanos

Key Additions: Mgr. Brad Ausmus; 2B Ian Kinsler; 3B Nick Castellanos; IF/OF Steve Lombardozzi; OF Rajai Davis; RP Joe Nathan, RP Joba Chamberlain; RP Ian Krol

Possible lineup: Kinsler 2B; Hunter RF; Cabrera 1B; Martinez DH; Jackson CF; Avila C; Dirks LF; Castellanos 3B; Iglesias SS

Possible rotation: Verlander; Scherzer; Sanchez; Porcello; Smyly

Games against Red Sox in 2014: May 16-18; June 6-8

Kansas City Royals2. Kansas City – Manager Ned Yost (5th year/11th overall)

Eric Hosmer #35 of the Kansas CIty Royals rounds second base after hitting a solo home run to left field in the third inning of game one of the double header against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on August 16, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan.The Royals contended in 2013 nearly to the end before falling off and I expect the same this year as they and the Indians will battle for second in the division and one of the two AL Wild Card spots.  Kansas City strengthened the rotation by adding Jason Vargas and bringing back Bruce Chen and the top of the order by adding Norichika Aoki and Omar InfanteBilly Butler could find himself as deadline bait should they need an arm or a bat.  Kansas City and Cleveland are really kind of 2A and 2B in this division and closer to Detroit than to Chicago and Minnesota.

Home Field: Kauffman Stadium; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 1973; Capacity: 37,903

2013 Attendance: 1,750,754 (12th in AL)

Key Players: 1B Eric Hosmer; 3B Mike Moustakas; DH Billy Butler; SP James Shields; SP Wade Davis

MVP Candidate: 1B Eric Hosmer

Cy Young Candidate: SP James Shields

ROY Candidate: SP Yordano Ventura

Key Additions: SP Jason Vargas; IF Danny Valencia; 2B Omar Infante; RF Norichika Aoki; OF Carlos Peguero; SP Bruce Chen; IF/OF Jimmy Paredes

Possible lineup: Aoki RF; Infante 2B; Hosmer 1B; Butler DH; Perez C; Gordon LF; Cain CF; Moustakas 3B; Escobar SS

Possible Rotation: Shields; Guthrie; Vargas; Davis; Duffy

Games against Red Sox in 2014: July 18-20; September 11-14

Cleveland Indians3. Cleveland – Manager Terry Francona (2nd year/14th overall)

Justin Masterson #63 of the Cleveland Indians reacts to giving up a double to Brian Dozier #2 of the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning of the game on July 21, 2013 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.The Indians made a nice run in 2013 earning a wild card in the first year under Terry Francona.  Now they need some more of that magic and for the pitching both in the rotation and the bullpen to help carry them.  They could probably use another big bat in the middle of the lineup and may peddle SS Asdrubal Cabrera in a package to try to get one near the deadline because prospect SS Francisco Lindor appears ready to make the jump.  The Indians surprise move of the winter is they’ve announced they are moving Carlos Santana, one time catching prospect, from the DH/1B slot to the teams every day 3B. Really. With that I’d imagine they will try to get 43 year old Jason Giambi into the lineup more regular as the DH. Does this really make them a better team?

Home Field: Progressive Field; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 1994; Capacity: 42,241

2013 Attendance: 1,572,926 (14th in AL)

Key Players: 3B Carlos Santana; 1B Nick Swisher; CF Michael Bourn; 2B Jason Kipnis; SP Justin Masterson

MVP Candidate: 2B Jason Kipnis

Cy Young Candidate: SP Justin Masterson

ROY Candidate: SS Francisco Lindor

Key Additions: RF David Murphy; 1B David Cooper, IF Dave Adams; RP John Axford; RP Josh Outman; C Matt Treanor; SP Shaun Marcum; RP Matt Capps; RP Scott Atchison; OF Jeff Francoeur; IF Justin Sellers

Possible lineup: Bourn CF; Kipnis 2B; Swisher 1B; Santana 3B; Bradley LF; Murphy RF; Giambi DH; Cabrera SS; Gomes C

Possible rotation: Masterson; Kluber; McAllister; Salazar; Marcum

Games against Red Sox in 2014: June 12-15; June 2-4

Chicago White Sox4. Chicago – Manager Robin Ventura (3rd year)

 of the Chicago White Sox Chris Sale #49 reacts to giving up a solo home run to Matt Carson #7 of the Cleveland Indians during in the fifth inning of their MLB game at U.S. Cellular Field on September 15, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox made an effort this off season to strengthen the corners of the infield by signing Cuban FA 1B Jose Abreu and getting 3B Matt Davidson a former 1st round pick from Arizona for RP Addison Reed.  They also changed their CF by getting Adam Eaton in the three way deal with the Diamondbacks and Angels that saw Mark Trumbo and Tyler Skaggs switch uniforms too.  So Rick Hahn has injected 3 good young players into the lineup and if the bullpen performs as it did last season, they could see an improvement in the standings.

Home Field: U.S. Cellular Field; Playing Surface: natural grass Opened: 1991; Capacity: 40,615

2013 Attendance: 1,768,413 (10th in AL)

Key Players: SP Chris Sale; CF Adam Eaton; LF Alejandro De Aza; 1B Jose Abreu; DH Adam Dunn

MVP Candidate: LF Alejandro De Aza

Cy Young Candidate: SP Chris Sale

ROY Candidate: 1B Jose Abreu; SP Erik Johnson

Key Additions: 1B Jose Abreu; SP Erik Johnson; 3B Matt Davidson; CF Adam Eaton; C Adrian Neito; SP Felipe Paulino; RP Ronald Belasario; RP Scott Downs

Possible lineup: Eaton CF; De Aza LF; Abreu 1B; Dunn DH; Garcia RF; Davidson 3B; Ramirez SS; Beckham 2B; Flowers C

Possible rotation: Sale; Quintana; Danks; Johnson; Paulino

Games against Red Sox in 2014: July 7-10; April 15-17

Minnesota Twins5. Minnesota – Manager Ron Gardenhire (13th year)

 Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins reacts to striking out against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning of the game on July 21, 2013 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins have a beautiful ball park and some loyal fans and they’ll need both to continue to draw because if they don’t get big contributions from free agent signees SP Ricky Nolasco and SP Phil Hughes, they will sink and quickly.  They only have 2 prospects at AAA but one, SP Alex Meyer, has a chance to be a starter and you could see him by June.  After that 6 of the remaining Top 10 are High A level ballplayers or lower, so help from within isn’t coming anytime soon.  They’ve also moved All-Star and batting champ Joe Mauer from C to 1B and brought in Kurt Suzuki to catch. Suzuki is above average but he isn’t Mauer in any aspect of his game.  The move should help keep Mauer healthy which is the most important thing for the Twins.

Home Field: Target Field; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 2010; Capacity: 39,021

2013 Attendance: 2,477,644 (7th in AL)

Key Players: 1B Joe Mauer; LF Josh Willingham; SP Ricky Nolasco; RP Glen Perkins

MVP Candidate: 1B Joe Mauer

Cy Young Candidate: RP Glen Perkins

ROY Candidate: SP Alex Meyer

Key Additions: DH Jason Kubel; C Kurt Suzuki; SP Phil Hughes; SP Ricky Nolasco; SS Jason Bartlett

Possible lineup: Presley CF; Dozier 2B; Mauer 1B; Willingham LF; Kubel DH; Arcia RF; Plouffe 3B; Suzuki C; Florimon SS

Possible rotation: Nolasco; Correira; Hughes; Worley; Pelfrey

Games against Red Sox in 2014: June 16-18; May 13-15

Tomorrow, in Day 5, we will preview the NL East.

photo credits:  getty images; getty images; getty images, getty images, getty images

2014 UConn Football Schedule Announced

STORRS, Conn. – The 2014 University of Connecticut football schedule was released on Tuesday by the American Athletic Conference and features six opponents who played in post-season bowl games in 2013. UConn will play a seven-game home schedule at Rentschler Field this season under first-year head coach Bob Diaco.

UConn HuskiesThe Huskies open the season with three non-conference home games against BYU (Friday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m. on ESPN), Stony Brook (Saturday, Sept. 6) and Boise State (Saturday, Sept. 13). BYU played in the Fight Hunger Bowl and Boise State played in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. UConn's other non-conference game of the season will be against Army on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Yankee Stadium. That game will be televised by the CBS Sports Network.

The American Athletic Conference schedule kicks off on Friday, Sept.16 when the Huskies travel to USF for a game that will be televised nationally by ESPN or ESPN2.

UConn plays host to Temple on Saturday, Sept. 27 and, after a bye week, the Huskies play its first-ever game against Tulane when it travels to New Orleans on Saturday, Oct. 11. After another bye is another first-time opponent for UConn with a trip to East Carolina on Thursday, Oct. 23 for an ESPNU game.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl champion UCF visits Rentschler Field on Saturday, Nov. 1, and the Huskies play the Army game the following week. UConn wraps up the regular season with conference games at home against Cincinnati on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Memphis on Saturday, Nov. 29 and home against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 6. Cincinnati played in the Belk Bowl last season.

2014 UConn Huskies Football Schedule

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Bria Hartley Nominated for James E. Sullivan Award

STORRS, Conn. – University of Connecticut women’s basketball standout Bria Hartley has been selected as one of 19 nominees for the James E. Sullivan Award, which honors the nation’s outstanding amateur athlete, as announced by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) on Tuesday, March 11.  Cast your vote for Bria at aausports.org!

James E. Sullivan AwardTuesday marks the first day of voting to find the winner of the 2013 AAU Sullivan Award. Voting is open to the public and will account for one-third of the athlete’s overall score.

The nominees were nominated by someone who thought they fit the requirements of outstanding athletic ability, strong character, leadership and sportsmanship. The public can cast their vote by going to www.aausports.org.

Voting will remain open until March 23rd at 11:59 EDT.

Hartley, a 2011-12 WBCA/State Farm All-America Team selection, has been honored as a First Team All-Conference selection twice and has earned a spot on the All-Conference Tournament Team on two occasions.  The 2011 Conference Rookie of the Year, Hartley has been named to the NCAA Tournament All-Regional Team twice and was selected to the All-NCAA Tournament Team in 2013.  Earlier this season, she became only the second Husky all-time, along with Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore, to post at least 1,500-points, 500-rebounds and 500-assists.  This year has been her finest as she ranks in the league’s top-five in scoring, assists, steals, three-point field goal percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio.

Three finalists will be named no later than March 28th and the winner will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, April 11 at the AAU National Headquarters in Orlando, Fla.

The Sullivan Award has been presented annually since 1930, and is based on character, leadership and sportsmanship. Notable recipients of the AAU Sullivan Award include: Mark Spitz, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Florence Joyner, Peyton Manning, Michael Phelps, J.J. Redick, Tim Tebow, Shawn Johnson and Missy Franklin.

Nominees for the 2013 James E. Sullivan Award

Ashley BishopBaton Twirling
Blake BortlesUniversity of Central Florida Football
David BoudiaUSA Diving
Liz BrennerOregon Volleyball, Basketball, Track &Field
Rachel FattalUSA Water Polo
Joy Woog-GarveyInline Hocke
Bria HartleyUniversity of Connecticut Women’s Basketball
Robert HerbstAAU Powerlifting
Alex JohnsonUniversity of Miami Volleyball
Katie LedeckyOlympic Swimmer
Tre MasonAuburn University Football
AJ McCarronUniversity of Alabama Football
Cory Ann McGeeUniversity of Florida Track & Field
John Michael NagelTaekwondo 
Kelsey RobinsonUniversity of Nebraska Volleyball
Jude SchimmelUniversity of Louisville Women’s Basketball
Shoni SchimmelUniversity of Louisville Women’s Basketball
John UrschelPenn State Footbal
Alli WilliamsSaint Francis University Women’s Basketball

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UConn’s Shabazz Napier Named USBWA District I Player Of Year

ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named UConn senior guard Shabazz Napier (Roxbury, Mass.) its District I Player of the Year for the second straight season.

UConn HuskiesJunior guard Ryan Boatright (Aurora, Ill.) was also honored by the USBWA as he joined Napier on the 10-player All-District I Team. The USBWA divides the country into nine districts. Each with its own Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and All-District Team. District I includes all the Division I schools in New England.

Both Napier and Boatright earned the same awards from the USBWA last season.

Napier, who was also named a unanimous American Athletic Conference All-Conference first-team pick on Tuesday, led UConn to a 24-7 season and a place in the Top 25 polls. The 6-1 guard topped the Huskies in scoring (17.8), rebounding (6.0), and assists (5.2), the only player in UConn history to lead in all three categories. He shot 42.6 percent overall and 40.4 percent from three-point range. He ranks seventh on UConn’s all-time scoring list with 1,790 points, fourth in assists with 611, and second in steals with 235. He had six double-doubles this year, including a triple-double against Yale.

Boatright was second only to Napier in minutes played this season for the Huskies. He was third on the team in scoring (12.0) and second in assists (3.5) and steals (1.57). He scored double figures in 19 games this season. He combined with Napier to give the Huskies one of the most explosive backcourts in the country. 

The remainder of the All-District I Team included Ike Azotam (Quinnipiac), Bryce Cotton (Providence), Alex Francis (Bryant), Olivier Hanlan (Boston College), Clancy Rugg (Vermont), Wesley Saunders (Harvard), Maurice Watson (Boston University), and Chaz Williams (Massachusetts). Massachusetts coach Derek Kellogg was named the District I Coach of the Year.

DISTRICT PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

I: Shabazz Napier, Connecticut

II: C.J. Fair, Syracuse

III: Jabari Parker, Duke

IV: Russ Smith, Louisville

V: Nik Stauskas, Michigan

VI: Doug McDermott, Creighton

VII: Cory Jefferson, Baylor

VIII: Cameron Bairstow, New Mexico

IX: Nick Johnson, Arizona

DISTRICT COACHES OF THE YEAR

I: Derek Kellogg, Massachusetts

II: Jay Wright, Villanova

III: Tony Bennett, Virginia

IV: Billy Donovan, Florida

V: John Beilein, Michigan

VI: Gregg Marshall, Wichita State

VII: Larry Brown, SMU

VIII: Craig Neal, New Mexico

IX: Sean Miller, Arizona

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American Athletic Conference 2013-14 Men’s Basketball Awards

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – UConn senior Shabazz Napier (Roxbury, Mass.)  is one of  three unanimous selections to the 2014 American Athletic Conference All-Conference first team, the league announced Tuesday.

UConn HuskiesThe Huskies' star guard, who was a first team All-Big East pick last season and a Big East All-Rookie Team selection in 2010-11, leads the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and minutes played as UConn heads into The American 2014 Championship later this week at the FedExForum in Memphis. The Huskies stand 24-7 on the season and finished 12-6 in the league, tied for third place with SMU and Memphis.

In addition, UConn freshman center Amida Brimah (Accra, Ghana) was named to the league's All-Rookie Team.

Cincinnati's Sean Kilpatrick and Louisville's Russ Smith were also unanimous picks to the first team, which is selected by a vote of the league's 10 head coaches, none of whom are allowed to vote for their own players. Along with Napier, all three are finalists for the John R. Wooden Award, which goes to the nation's best player.

Joining the three star senior guards on the first team are Louisville sophomore forward Montrezl Harrell and SMU sophomore guard Nic Moore. One of the five will be named the league's Player of the Year on Wednesday.

In American Athletic Conference games, Napier ranked among the league leaders in numerous categories. He finished second in scoring (19.3), third in assists (4.7), second in free throw percentage (.901), fifth in steals (1.8), fifth in three-pointers made (2.3), fifth in defensive rebounds (4.8), fourth in minutes played (35.1), 14th in three-point field goal percentage (.360), and 13th in overall rebounding (5.7).

He was named The American Conference Player of the Week five times and was on the league's weekly Honor Roll nine times. Besides the Wooden Award, he is also on the final watch list for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, the Naismith Trophy, the Senior CLASS Award, and the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award.

Named to the all-conference second team are UCF's Isaiah Sykes, Cincinnati's Justin Jackson, Houston's TaShawn Thomas, Memphis' Shaq Goodwin and  Joe Jackson, and SMU's Markus Kennedy.

Brimah has played in all 31 UConn games this season, starting 17. He is averaging 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and leads the team in blocked shots with 77. His 2.2 blocked shots averaged was second in the American Athletic Conference.

Named to the All-Rookie Team with Brimah was Memphis' Austin Nichols (unanimous), Louisville's Terry Rozier, and the USF duo of John Egbunu and Chris Perry.

The league will announce its Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Scholar-Athlete, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man Award, and Sportsmanship Award on Wednesday afternoon at an awards luncheon in Memphis.

2014 American Athletic Conference All-Conference First Team

Sean Kilpatrick, G, Cincinnati *

Shabazz Napier, G, UConn *

Montrezl Harrell, F, Louisville

Russ Smith, G, Louisville *

Nic Moore, G, SMU

 2014 American Athletic Conference All-Conference Second Team

Isaiah Sykes, G, UCF

Justin Jackson, F, Cincinnati

TaShawn Thomas, F, Houston

Shaq Goodwin, F, Memphis

Joe Jackson, G, Memphis

Markus Kennedy, F, SMU

 2014 American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team

Amida Brimah, C, UConn

Terry Rozier, G, Louisville

Austin Nichols, F, Memphis *

John Egbunu, C, USF

Chris Perry, F, USF

 * unanimous selection

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2014 UConn Football Pro Day Results

Former UConn linebacker Yawin Smallwood gets set to work out for NFL scouts at the Burton Family Football Complex and the Shenkman Training Center on the UConn campus

Here's a look at the numbers posted by the NFL Draft-eligible players from the UConn Huskies football team that participated in UConn's Pro Day.

Please note that Shamar Stephen and Yawin Smallwood didn't participate in the below drills.

Name Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press (225 lbs) 40 Yard Dash (unofficial)
Jimmy Bennett 7'10" 24" 18 reps 5.3
Chad Christen 8'11" 36" 13 reps 4.7
Jesse Joseph 8'6" 29 1/2" 19 reps 4.6
Ryan Donahue 9'1" 32 1/2" 29 reps 4.8
Steve Greene 8' 27 1/2" 16 reps 5.5
Taylor Mack 9'9" 35 1/2" 9 reps 4.4
Martin Hyppolite 9'3" 34" 15 reps 4.6
Spencer Parker 9'2" 30 1/2" 22 reps 4.8
Tim Willman 9'1" 30 1/2" 26 reps 4.7

We'll have more from UConn's Pro Day coming up, including video and thoughts from the players. Also, the 2014 UConn Football schedule will be out later today.

And if you haven't gotten your tickets for the UConn/Army game at Yankee Stadium in November, tickets went on sale this morning. Head over to UConnTickets.com to get yours now before they are gone.

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photo credit: patrick raycraft – hartford courant

Gigantic SOX & Dawgs 2014 MLB Preview – Day 3 – NL Central

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2014 MLB preview.  Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary. 

SOX & Dawgs 2014 MLB Preview - NL CentralWe will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

Also added this year is some home stadium information along with dates the teams will play against the Boston Red Sox.  The red shaded games are at Fenway; the blue shaded games are road games.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication.  It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research. 

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.

Yesterday we looked at the AL West and we started on Sunday with the NL West, today it’s the NL Central.

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National League Central

This division was one of the most difficult to pick because the top three teams are very good.  Like 2013 we should see all three battle the entire season and quite possibly take 3 of the 5 NL playoff spots between the division champ and the two wild card teams.  Last year St. Louis claimed the division, while Pittsburgh and Cincinnati were the NL wild card teams.  Baseball is rejuvenated in the NL Central thanks to those three teams who should be perennial playoff teams for the next few years at least.  If you’re a fan of the Brewers things may be starting to look up a bit.  Cubs fans I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait a while longer for your team to crack the upper echelon of this division.  There’s two new managers in the division after Cincinnati felt Dusty Baker couldn’t get them over the hump, and in Chicago, they replaced a poor fit in Dale Sveum.

Last year I went Cincinnati, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee and Chicago.  Look below this year to see how I think it will play out in 2014.

St. Louis Cardinals1. St. Louis – Manager: Mike Matheny (3rd year)

 Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on against the Boston Red Sox during Game Six of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park on October 30, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Cardinals are the defending Nation League Champions having lost to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series for the 2nd time in 10 years and no one should expect them to go away.  This Cardinals team despite trading away David Freese and losing Carlos Beltran to free agency and Chris Carpenter to retirement, just keeps reinventing themselves year after year.  They are extremely deep with pitching, and potent with the bat. They should be good defensively even with a reconfigured infield that see’s the addition of Kolten Wong and PED poster child Jhonny Peralta.  The only weakness I see is the bench and unless one or more of those guys is pressed into everyday service they should be just fine in the NL Central.  Their pitching makes them the class of the division and along with the Dodgers one of the best teams in the NL.

Home Field: Busch Stadium III; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 2006; Capacity: 43,975

2013 Attendance: 3,369,769 (2nd in NL)

Key Players: C Yadier Molina; 3B Matt Carpenter; LF Matt Holliday; SP Adam Wainwright; SP Michael Wacha

MVP Candidate: C Yadier Molina

Cy Young Candidate: SP Adam Wainwright

ROY Candidate: 2B Kolten Wong; RP Carlos Martinez

Key Additions: CF Peter Burjos; SS Jhonny Peralta; 2B Mark Ellis; RP Angel Castro

Possible lineup: Carpenter 3B; Burjos CF; Holliday LF; Craig RF; Adams 1B; Molina C; Peralta SS; Wong 2B

Possible rotation: Wainwright; Wacha; Miller; Kelley; Garcia

Games against Red Sox in 2014: August 5-7

Pittsburgh Pirates2. Pittsburgh – Manager: Clint Hurdle (4th year/12th overall)

 Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on September 11, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. They stopped the streak at 20. After 20 consecutive non-playoff seasons and 20 seasons without a NL MVP, the Pittsburgh Pirates and CF Andrew McCutchen stopped both streaks dead in their tracks. Baseball has returned to the ‘Burgh in one of baseball’s best parks and they were a lot of fun to watch in 2013.  Now Clint Hurdle needs to continue to build on that momentum and take them not only back to the playoffs but further.  There’s no reason this team can’t play for the NL Pennant in 2014.  My only concern is they seemed to really stand pat in the offseason. I’d have loved to see them get an additonal starating pitcher, a stronger RF or 1B candidate and possibly near the deadline they will.

Home Field: PNC Park; Playing Surface: natural grass Opened: 2001; Capacity: 38,362

2013 Attendance: 2,256,862 (11th in NL)

Key Players: CF Andrew McCutchen; 2B Neil Walker; 3B Pedro Alvarez; C Russell Martin; SP Gerrit Cole; SP Francisco Liriano

MVP Candidate: CF Andrew McCutchen

Cy Young Candidate: SP Francisco Liriano

ROY Candidate: P Jameson Taillon

Key Additions: C Chris Stewart; P Edinson Volquez; 1B/RF Travis Ishikawa; INF Robert Andino; OF Chris Dickerson; IF Brent Morel

Possible lineup: Marte LF; Mercer SS; McCutchen CF; Alvarez 3B; Martin C; Walker 2B; Tabata RF; Sanchez 1B

Possible rotation: Liriano; Cole; Rodriguez; Morton; Volquez

Games against Red Sox in 2014: September 16-18

Cincinnati Reds3. Cincinnati – Manager: Bryan Price (1st Year)

The Reds should compete once again for the division and wild card berth and will do so every year for the next several years.  They have a solid core of young players, good veteran’s and a new manager who comes from a pitching background and a staff that has a style that fits well with the make up of the club. They like the Pirates did very little in the offseason and they really want to improve on their post season experience after they were disappointed with the one and done wild card game loss to Pittsburgh.  They have some questions in LF as well as up the middle in CF and C and because of this I have them third in the division.

Home Field: Great American Ball Park; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 2003; Capacity: 42,319

2013 Attendance: 2,492,059 (10th in NL)

Key Players: 1B Joey Votto; 2B Brandon Phillips; RF Jay Bruce; P Johnny Cueto; CF Billy Hamilton

MVP Candidate: 1B Joey Votto

Cy Young Candidate: P Johnny Cueto

ROY Candidate: OF Billy Hamilton

Key Additions: Mgr. Bryan Price; CF Billy Hamilton; C Brayan Pena; IF/OF Skip Schumaker; SP Jeff Francis; SP Chien-Ming Wang; RP Pedro Beato; RP Brett Marshall

Possible lineup: Hamilton CF; Cozart SS; Votto 1B; Phillips 2B; Bruce RF; Ludwick LF; Frazier 3B; Mesoraco C

Possible rotation: Cueto; Latos; Bailey; Leake; Cingrani

Games against Red Sox in 2014: May 6-7; August 12-13

Milwaukee Brewers4. Milwaukee – Manager: Ron Roenicke (4th year)

 Pitcher Yovani Gallardo #49 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Marlins Park on June 10, 2013 in Miami, Florida. Ryan Braun, the former MVP, liar and admitted PED user returns with a clean slate and for Brewers fans hopefully a clean pee test in 2014.  The Brewers need him for a full season badly as he adds the big bat in the order, but without the chemicals we need to see how good the wood will be.  Milwaukee did solidify their starting rotation when in late January they went and signed FA Matt Garza who will pitch behind Yovani Gallardo.  A couple things really stand out with this team. The rotation is all right handed and there’s barely a left-handed bat (3) to be found on the projected 25-man roster (no switch-hitters). That lack of flexability for Mgr. Ron Roenicke to mix/match in late innings could spell disaster.

Home Field: Miller Park; Playing Surface: natural grass/retractable roof; Opened:2001; Capacity: 41,900

2013 Attendance: 2,531,105 (9th in NL)

Key Players: LF Ryan Braun; SP Yovani Gallardo; SP Matt Garza; SS Jean Segura

MVP Candidate: LF Ryan Braun  

Cy Young Candidate: SP Yovani Gallardo

ROY Candidate: P Johnny Hellweg

Key Additions: SP Matt Garza; RP Francisco Rodriguez; 1B/3B Mark Reynolds; RP Will Smith; 1B Lyle Overbay

Possible lineup: Segura SS; Weeks 2B; Braun LF; Ramirez 3B; Gomez CF; Lucroy C; Davis RF

Possible rotation: Gallardo; Garza; Lohse; Estrada; Peralta

Games against Red Sox in 2014: April 4-6

Chicago Cubs5. Chicago – Manager: Rick Renteria (1st year)

 Jeff Samardzija #29 of the Chicago Cubs delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 22, 2013 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Year Three of the “Theo Epstein Project” (that should be the name of his band) and now the Cub faithful are starting to get restless and introducing “Clark the Cub” didn’t help matters.  Then they lost out on Masahiro Tanaka and people are getting grumpy again on the North Side.  The Ricketts family has money to spend and they are doing things in and around historic Wrigley Field except pulling that prized free agent that opens the floodgates for others to follow.  Epstein along with GM Jed Hoyer are working feverishly to build the farm system but even that was worse than they originally thought.  Chicago has a good MLB core of SP Jeff Samardzija, 1B Anthony Rizzo, 2B Darwin Barney and SS Starlin Castro. Here’s hoping former UConn Husky 3B/OF Mike Olt gets to make a difference with Chicago in 2014.

Home Field: Wrigley Field; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 1914; Capacity: 41,019

2013 Attendance: 2,642,682 (7th in NL)

Key Players: SS Starlin Castro; 1B Anthony Rizzo; 2B Darwin Barney; SP Jeff Samardzija

MVP Candidate: SS Starlin Castro

Cy Young Candidate: SP Jeff Samardzija

ROY Candidate: 3B/OF Mike Olt

Key Additions: Mgr. Rick Renteria; IF/OF Ryan Roberts; IF/OF Emilio Bonifacio; OF Justin Ruggiano; C George Kottaras; RP Jose Veras; RP Wesley Wright; C Eli Whiteside; C John Baker; OF Mitch Maier; OF Ryan Kalish; OF Chris Coghlan; SP James McDonald; SP Jason Hammel

Possible lineup: Castro SS; Sweeney CF; Olt 3B; Rizzo 1B; Schierholtz RF; Coghlan LF; Castillo C; Barney 2B

Possible rotation: Samardzija; Jackson; Wood; Hammel; McDonald

Games against Red Sox in 2014: June 30-July 2

Tomorrow: the AL Central.

photo credits:  getty images; getty images; getty images, getty images, getty images