Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 3/14

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

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UConn Men’s Basketball links

Here Is Kemba Walker’s NCAA Tournament Bracket [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Calhoun: ‘With or Without a Whistle’ Won’t Let UConn Fade Away [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Dom also answered a question in his mailbag [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Is Royce White this year’s Gyno Pomare? [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Huskies Arrive In Louisville For NCAA Tournament [UConnHuskies.com]

The Growth Of UConn Center Andre Drummond [Hartford Courant]

Alex Oriakhi seeks redemption in NCAAs [New Haven Register]

Calhoun’s return has been exactly what Napier needed [The Day]

‘Carrier Classic’ will likely be held on USS Yorktown [WCSC.com]

Sleeper teams could surprise [Dick Vitale – ESPN.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Auriemma’s Top 10 Quotes From Selection Monday [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Tiffany Hayes: By The NCAA Numbers [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Congratulations To Jamelle Elliott [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Home Is Where The NCAA Is [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Stewart Named Morgan Wootten Player of the Year (McDonald’s) [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Hayes Confident She Will Play Saturday Vs. Prairie View A&M [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

ESPN announcing teams are … [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Report: Top sophomore visiting UConn [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

UConn’s Hayes says she has stress fracture, but expects to play Saturday [CT Post]

Auriemma Not Concerned About Tiffany Hayes’ Stress Injury [Hartford Courant]

Huskies will be staying close to home [New Haven Register]

Hayes refuses to let stress of injury get her down [The Hour]

UConn Football links

Video: Spring preview — defensive backs [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

DC answered a question in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

M. Ice Hockey. Cole Schneider Named AHA Player of the Week [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Golf. Dziubina Places Fifth at Farms Invitational [UConnHuskies.com]

Softball. Huskies Post Eight Homeruns To Sweep Roadrunners [UConnHuskies.com]

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Patriots Tender Hoyer, Love

Kyle Love #74 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a sack against the Denver Broncos during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 14, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

On the first day of NFL free agency it is pretty quiet so far along the Foxboro front.  The team did as expected and placed the 2nd round tender on backup quarterback Bryan Hoyer which is worth $1.92 million.  What this means is a team can sign Hoyer to an offer sheet and if New England does not match it the other team only has to surrender a second round pick to the Patriots.

Bill Belichick and staff are gambling that no one will be willing to take that shot on Hoyer who New England really likes.  On the other hand to get a 2nd round pick back would be very good for a player who figures to sign elsewhere next season to pursue a starting job and the team would only get a 3rd round compensatory pick in return in that case.

The Patriots also gave DT Kyle Love his exclusive rights tender and he will now be back for at least another season. An exclusive rights free agent, is a player with two years of less who is not under contract.  If his team makes him an offer at the 3-year veteran minimum salary he has to take it or leave the NFL.  If no offer is made he is a free agent.

There is a high probability that the Patriots will look to give Love a 2-year contract much like they did with Kyle Arrington when he was in this position.  It gives Love a signing bonus and up front money in return for giving up one year of free agency.

There’s also been one unconfirmed rumor that New England is very close to re-signing WR Matthew Slater, their special teams captain and possible deep threat wide receiver.

At of the time of publication the possible signing of Slater has not happened although a few other wide receivers did sign deals last night.  Reggie Wayne went back to a Manning-less Indianapolis, former teammate Pierre Garcon is reportedly Washington bound, Marcus Colston stayed in New Orleans and Vincent Jackson got $55 million over five years from Tampa Bay.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII

Photo credit: Getty Images

2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball Rankings – Postseason

AP & ESPN/USA Today Coaches Polls

After opening up the season as the No. 4 team in the country, the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team has finished as the No. 3 team in the land in final regular season polls released on Tuesday.

The Baylor Lady Bears remained perfect all season holding on to the No. 1 spot. They are followed by the Stanford Cardinal, UConn, Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Maryland Terrapins in both polls.

Joining the Huskies and Irish in the top 25 from the Big East are the St. John’s Red Storm (14/21), Georgetown Hoyas (17/16), Louisville Cardinals (19/19) and Rutgers Scarlet Knights (23/20). The DePaul Blue Demons are among the others receiving votes in the AP Poll but are ranked No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.

The West Virginia Mountaineers are the only team from the Big East among the others receiving votes in both polls.

Overall, the Big East sent eight teams to the NCAA Women’s Tournament. They are UConn, Notre Dame, St. John’s, Georgetown, Louisville, Rutgers, DePaul and West Virginia.

For a complete look at the 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball Rankings – Postseason, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

AP Top 25 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll
RK TEAM REC PTS PVS RK TEAM REC PTS PVS
1 Baylor (39) 34-0 975 1 1 Baylor (31) 34-0 775 1
2 Stanford 31-1 927 2 2 Stanford 31-1 740 2
3 Connecticut 29-4 880 4 3 Connecticut 29-4 706 4
4 Notre Dame 30-3 873 3 4 Notre Dame 30-3 687 3
5 Maryland 28-4 821 5 5 Maryland 28-4 654 5
6 Duke 24-5 743 6 6 Duke 24-5 604 6
7 Delaware 30-1 723 7 7 Tennessee 24-8 586 7
8 Miami (FL) 25-5 678 8 8 Delaware 30-1 549 8
9 Tennessee 24-8 664 9 9 Miami (FL) 25-5 540 9
10 Green Bay 30-1 618 10 10 Green Bay 30-1 483 10
11 Penn State 24-6 581 11 11 Kentucky 25-6 471 11
12 Kentucky 25-6 554 12 12 Penn State 24-6 409 12
13 Purdue 24-8 481 14 13 Georgia Tech 24-8 370 13
14 St. John’s 22-9 458 13 14 Texas A&M 22-10 346 14
15 Georgia Tech 24-8 427 15 15 Purdue 24-8 305 15
16 Ohio State 25-6 360 17 16 Georgetown 22-8 282 15
17 Nebraska 24-8 263 18 17 Georgia 22-8 269 18
17 Georgetown 22-8 263 20 18 Ohio State 25-6 255 17
19 Louisville 22-9 260 19 19 Louisville 22-9 235 19
20 Georgia 22-8 225 21 20 Rutgers 22-9 185 20
21 St. Bonaventure 29-3 216 16 21 St. John’s 22-9 171 21
22 Texas A&M 22-10 205 22 22 Nebraska 24-8 129 22
23 Rutgers 22-9 110 24 23 DePaul 22-10 84 23
24 Princeton 24-4 96 NR 24 Gonzaga 26-5 59 24
25 South Carolina 23-9 78 NR 25 St. Bonaventure 29-3 43 25
Dropped from rankings: Dropped from rankings:
Gonzaga 23, West Virginia 25 None
Others receiving votes: Others receiving votes:
West Virginia 67, Gonzaga 44, LSU 27, FGCU 13, California 11, Dayton 10, DePaul 5, Arkansas 5, Brigham Young 5, Middle Tennessee 3, San Diego State 3, Vanderbilt 2, UTEP 1 LSU 26, FGCU 23, California 17, Middle Tennessee 17, Princeton 14, West Virginia 12, Vanderbilt 11, South Carolina 7, Arkansas 3, Fresno State 3, Wake Forest 3, UTEP 2

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Red Sox Spring Training Delight – 3/13

Felix Doubront (L), Ivan Nova (R)

After winning 5-3 yesterday on a walk-off home run over the Miami Marlins, the Boston Red Sox head north to Tampa, FL for a matchup with their AL East rivals, the New York Yankees.

The first pitch today is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on MLB Network in the Red Sox television market as well as most of the United States. You can also listen to the game on WEEI 93.7 FM/850 AM if your radio dial picks that up. If you live in the Yankees television market, you can watch the game on YES.

Here are tonights’s lineups:

Boston Red Sox New York Yankees
1. Mike Aviles SS 1. Brett Gardner CF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B 2. Russell Martin C
3. Jacoby Ellsbury DH 3. Alex Rodriguez 3B
4. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C 4. Mark Teixeira 1B
5. Will Middlebrooks 3B 5. Raul Ibanez DH
6. Lars Anderson 1B 6. Andruw Jones RF
7. Juan Carlos Linares CF 7. Eduardo Nunez SS
8. Josh Kroeger RF 8. Bill Hall 2B
9. Alex Hassan LF 9. Jayson Nix LF
Felix Doubront SP Ivan Nova SP

Doubront will be followed by RHP Michael Bowden, RHP Vicente Padilla, RHP Junichi Tazawa, RHP Brandon Duckworth, RHP Will Inman.

Nova will be followed Mariano Rivera and Boone Logan.

To see the links from the day, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAME TIME AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE

Reggie Jackson: Varitek is no A-Rod [CSN New England]

Kevin Youkilis Looks ‘Like a Totally Different Guy This Spring,’ Poised to Bounce Back for Red Sox [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Projecting the Opening Day roster, 1.0 [Extra Bases]

Inning-by-inning on Clay Buchholz [Extra Bases]

Plenty of rings to go around [Extra Bases]

Buchholz works in minor-league game [Projo Sox Blog]

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.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Photo credits: Getty Images, Reuters Pictures

Red Sox Spring Training News & Notes – 3/13

It was an interesting day yesterday with the Miami Marlins and Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park.

Josh Beckett struggled with his control early on only to turn in a nice performance on the mound. Andrew Bailey‘s command wasn’t all there in his first spring training game. Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen got ejected. And finally, Pedro Ciriaco hit a two-run walk-off home run in the 10th to give the Red Sox the 5-3 win.

Boston Red Sox starter Josh Beckett delivers to Miami Marlins' Emilio Bonifacio during the first inning of a spring training baseball game in Fort Myers, Fla., Monday, March 12, 2012.Beckett was all over the place in the first inning as he allowed a hit and plunked two batters. But then he settled down, retiring the next nine batters he faced as he threw 55 pitches in four innings on three days rest. Yes, I said three days rest.

Bobby Valentine and Bob McClure have been having the starters throw on three days rest to build up some arm strength. But as the rotation starts to take shape, they will all start to work on regular rest to get ready for the season.

As for Bailey giving up a run and three hits, I wouldn’t put too much stock in his effort. Coming into a spring training game is not the same as trying to close out a ball game. It’s all about getting the feel and mechanics. While Bailey said he got into his “closers mentality” after giving up a leadoff double, it’s still not the same pressure as trying to close out a one run ballgame at any point during the season.

Ciriaco continues to put together a nice spring as he had two hits yesterday, including the walk-off home run. He’s hitting .545 to lead the Red Sox. Mike Aviles also had two hits while Nick Punto, Cody Ross and Kelly Shoppach each had an RBI in the game.

We’ll be back later with the lineups for tonight’s spring training matchup with the New York Yankees in Tampa, FL. But for now enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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Video: Adrian Gonzalez Talks With Doug Glanville [SOX & Dawgs]

Video: Bobby Valentine Talks With His Former ESPN Colleagues [SOX & Dawgs]

In their defense: How ‘The Fielding Bible’ views Red Sox in the field [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Rest a changeup for Beckett [Boston Globe]

No pain, and some gain for Bailey [Boston Globe]

Andrew Bailey saves best for later [Boston Herald]

Ozzie Guillen’s proficient in profanity [Boston Herald]

How the Red Sox rate [Boston Herald]

Guillen to Bobby V: “Go (bleep) yourself” [Clubhouse Insider]

Ciriaco’s impressive spring continues [CSN New England]

Bailey satisfied with first Red Sox appearance [CSN New England]

Beckett settles down, throws four innings for Sox [CSN New England]

Takeaways from Fort: Beckett goes wild [ESPN Boston]

Ozzie tossed, Valentine waves [Extra Bases]

Red Sox-Yankees I Tuesday night [Extra Bases]

Red Sox postgame notes: In Sox debut, Andrew Bailey ‘switches gears’ [Full Count]

Walk-Off-A-Palooza! [Full Count]

Cody Ross, Nick Punto Bring World Series Pedigree and ‘Bromance’ to Red Sox [NESN.com]

Pedro Ciriaco Relishes Big Game for Red Sox, Credits Winter Ball Adjustments for Strong Spring Training [NESN.com]

Andrew Bailey Finds Silver Lining in Shaky Red Sox Debut [NESN.com]

Fielding Bible’s Dewan endorses Aviles for Red Sox shortstop [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett makes adjustments after ugly first [Projo Sox Blog]

Bailey has rocky first outing for Sox [Projo Sox Blog]

Ohlendorf impresses in first effort [Projo Sox Blog]

Valentine sarcastically excited for Yankees [Projo Sox Blog]

Bailey feels no pressure replacing Papelbon [RedSox.com]

Sweeney exits with strained left quad [RedSox.com]

After rough first, Beckett has nice recovery [RedSox.com]

Ciriaco having an impressive camp with Boston [RedSox.com]

When Does This Guy Get His Own Show? [Surviving Grady]

Springing some Red Sox predictions [Touching All The Bases]

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.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 3/13

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Iowa State’s Coach ‘Sizes Up’ UConn [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Hoiberg on Kevin Ollie: ‘I’m Proud to Call Him a Friend’ [David Borges – Hartford Courant]

A Closer Look at Iowa State [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Previewing Iowa State [Gavin Keefe – The Day]

Hoiberg on Huskies: ‘They’re huge’ [Neill Ostrout – Journal Inquirer]

Shabazz Napier Has Stepped Up For UConn Men [Hartford Courant]

13 Teams In Tournament Would Be Ineligible If Future APR Rules Were In Place [Hartford Courant]

Kevin Ollie, Fred Hoiberg cross paths once again [New Haven Register]

Scouting the UConn Huskies [Cyclone Fanatic]

Iowa State-Connecticut Preview [Midwest Sports Fans]

NCAA Tournament: A Quick Look at the UCONN Huskies [Clones Confidential]

Bracket projection: UConn [ESPN Insider]

South #9 Connecticut Huskies – 20-13, 8-10 Big East [Sporting News]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

It’s Prairie View In Bridgeport [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Samarie Walker On Kentucky-UConn [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Hayes Sidelined With Foot Injury [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

UConn recruit Breanna Stewart wins New York’s Miss Basketball [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Hayes expecting to be back at practice on Thursday [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

UConn flying under the radar? [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

W. Basketball. Huskies Selected As No. 1 Seed In Kingston Region [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn women to play Prairie View in Bridgeport [CT Post]

UConn Women Open NCAA Tournament In Bridgeport Vs. Prairie View A&M [Hartford Courant]

Huskies to play Prairie View in Bridgeport to kick off NCAA tournament [New Haven Register]

UConn Football links

Xavier-Middletown Coach Sean Marinan: Things Are Better With UConn [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Rain Washes Out West Coast Finale [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Mazzilli Named BIG EAST Player of the Week [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Track. Men’s Track and Field Indoor Season Comes To A Close [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Track. Huskies Earn Seven All-America Honors At 2012 NCAA Championships [UConnHuskies.com]

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2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Rankings – Postseason (Mar. 12)

AP & ESPN/USA Today Coaches Polls

The final regular season NCAA men’s basketball rankings are out and after starting the season as the No. 4 team in the country, the UConn Huskies are not among the final top 25’s or the others receiving votes in either poll. The good news though is that they are in the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The Kentucky Wildcats continue to be the No. 1 team and are followed by the Syracuse Orange, Missouri Tigers,  North Carolina Tar Heels and Michigan State Spartans in the AP Poll. In the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, the top three is the same with Michigan State fourth and North Carolina fifth.

Joining the Orange from the Big East in the top 25 are the Marquette Golden Eagles (11/11), Georgetown Hoyas (15/15), Louisville Cardinals (18/19).

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Cincinnati Bearcats are among the others receiving votes in both polls.

The Big East sent nine teams to the 2012 NCAA Touranment. They are Syracuse, UConn, Marquette, Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, West Virginia and South Florida.

For a complete look at the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Rankings – Postseason (Mar. 12), click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

AP Top 25 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll
RK TEAM REC PTS PVS RK TEAM REC PTS PVS
1 Kentucky (61) 32-2 1,621 1 1 Kentucky (30) 32-2 774 1
2 Syracuse (1) 31-2 1,545 2 2 Syracuse 31-2 730 2
3 Missouri (2) 30-4 1,459 5 3 Missouri (1) 30-4 715 5
4 North Carolina (1) 29-5 1,403 4 4 Michigan State 27-7 660 8
5 Michigan State 27-7 1,386 8 5 North Carolina 29-5 652 4
6 Kansas 27-6 1,330 3 6 Kansas 27-6 586 3
7 Ohio State 27-7 1,229 7 7 Ohio State 27-7 578 7
8 Duke 27-6 1,158 6 8 Duke 27-6 557 6
9 Baylor 27-7 1,064 12 9 Murray State 30-1 502 10
10 Florida State 24-9 972 17 10 Baylor 27-7 481 11
11 Marquette 25-7 912 9 11 Marquette 25-7 452 9
12 Murray State 30-1 871 11 12 Florida State 24-9 442 17
13 Michigan 24-9 808 10 13 Wisconsin 24-9 348 12
14 Wisconsin 24-9 766 14 14 Michigan 24-9 319 13
15 Georgetown 23-8 726 13 15 Georgetown 23-8 307 14
16 Indiana 25-8 576 15 16 Saint Mary’s 27-5 268 18
17 Louisville 26-9 558 NR 17 Indiana 25-8 252 15
18 Wichita State 27-5 517 16 18 Louisville 26-9 245 NR
19 Creighton 28-5 373 19 19 Wichita State 27-5 231 16
20 Vanderbilt 24-10 334 NR 20 Creighton 28-5 199 22
21 New Mexico 27-6 318 NR 21 Florida 23-10 189 19
22 San Diego State 26-7 223 18 22 New Mexico 27-6 125 NR
23 UNLV 26-8 201 20 23 San Diego State 26-7 99 21
24 Saint Mary’s 27-5 187 NR 24 Vanderbilt 24-10 94 NR
25 Florida 23-10 146 22 25 UNLV 26-8 79 20
Dropped from rankings: Dropped from rankings:
Temple 21, Notre Dame 23, Gonzaga 24, Iowa State 25 Notre Dame 23, Temple 24, Gonzaga 25
Others receiving votes: Others receiving votes:
Temple 103, Cincinnati 89, Notre Dame 85, Memphis 59, Gonzaga 47, Iowa State 13, Virginia Commonwealth 12, Drexel 11, Virginia 9, Long Beach State 5, Harvard 4, Kansas State 3, St. Bonaventure 1 Notre Dame 48, Memphis 40, Temple 24, Cincinnati 22, Gonzaga 20, Virginia Commonwealth 13, Kansas State 6, Virginia 5, Long Beach State 3, Harvard 3, Iowa State 2, Saint Louis 2, North Carolina State 2, Montana 1

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Video: Pedro Ciriaco Hits Walk-off Two Run Homer Vs. Marlins

Pedro Ciriaco, who’s been having a pretty impressive big league camp with the Boston Red Sox, was the hero in Monday’s 5-3 win over the Miami Marlins. It was his two-run walk-off homer that gave them the victory in the 10th.

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Watch this video on your smartphone

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UConn Women Garner No. 1 Seed; Open With Prairie View A&M

We knew the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team would be a No. 1 seed in the 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. We even knew that they would probably open up first and second round play in Bridgeport, CT at Webster Bank Arena.

2012 NCAA Women's Basketball Final FourThe only thing we didn’t know is who their first victim opponent would be. Now we do.

The UConn women’s team will open up the 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday afternoon when they’ll take on the Prairie View A&M Panthers. Tip time is scheduled for approximately 1:50 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

If UConn wins, they’ll take on the winner of the No. 8/9 game (Kansas State vs Princeton). Should UConn advance to the Final Four in Denver, CO, a potential fourth matchup with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looms.

The Irish took the regular season series 2-0 but the Huskies exacted their revenge by beating them in the finals of the Big East Tournament.

Full 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament bracket

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