Just wanted to let everyone know that I’ll be taking Wednesday off from the site to take care of some personal business. We’ll be back in action either Wednesday night or back in full swing on Thursday. I apologize for the inconvenience. And for the Red Sox fans, the game against the Braves this afternoon at 1:05 p.m. is on ESPN.
2011 NCAA Women’s Basketball Rankings – Postseason (Mar. 15)
The final NCAA women’s basketball rankings came out on Tuesday afternoon and and it should come as no surprise that the UConn Huskies finished at the top yet again. The top five also remained the same from last week as well.
Joining the Huskies from the Big East, which got a record nine teams into the 2011 NCAA Tournament, in the top 10 are the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9/7). The DePaul Blue Demons are ranked No. 10 in the AP Poll but are No. 12 in the coaches poll.
Also in the top 25 from the Big East are the Georgetown Hoyas (22/21) and the Marquette Golden Eagles (24/23). West Virginia is ranked No. 25 in the coaches poll and is the third highest team receiving votes in the AP Poll.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and St. John’s Red Storm are among the others receiving votes in both polls while the Louisville Cardinals and Syracuse Orange are only receiving votes in the coaches poll.
For a full look at both polls, hit th read more button below if you’re on the home page.
| AP Top 25 | ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll | ||||||||
| RK | TEAM | REC | PTS | PREV | RK | TEAM | REC | PTS | PREV |
| 1 | Connecticut (37) | 32-1 | 973 | 1 | 1 | Connecticut (30) | 32-1 | 774 | 1 |
| 2 | Stanford (2) | 29-2 | 928 | 2 | 2 | Stanford (1) | 29-2 | 736 | 2 |
| 3 | Baylor | 31-2 | 890 | 3 | 3 | Baylor | 31-2 | 711 | 3 |
| 4 | Tennessee | 31-2 | 873 | 4 | 4 | Tennessee | 31-2 | 690 | 4 |
| 5 | Xavier | 28-2 | 803 | 5 | 5 | Xavier | 28-2 | 651 | 5 |
| 6 | Duke | 29-3 | 782 | 6 | 6 | Duke | 29-3 | 611 | 6 |
| 7 | Texas A&M | 27-5 | 721 | 8 | 7 | Notre Dame | 26-7 | 569 | 7 |
| 8 | UCLA | 27-4 | 697 | 7 | 8 | Texas A&M | 27-5 | 567 | 8 |
| 9 | Notre Dame | 26-7 | 684 | 10 | 9 | UCLA | 27-4 | 535 | 9 |
| 10 | DePaul | 27-6 | 612 | 9 | 10 | Miami (Fla.) | 27-4 | 469 | 10 |
| 11 | Miami (FLA) | 27-4 | 564 | 11 | 11 | Wisconsin-Green Bay | 32-1 | 437 | 11 |
| 12 | Michigan State | 26-5 | 512 | 12 | 12 | DePaul | 27-6 | 436 | 12 |
| 13 | Wisconsin-Green Bay | 32-1 | 465 | 13 | 13 | Michigan State | 26-5 | 396 | 13 |
| 14 | North Carolina | 26-8 | 461 | 14 | 14 | North Carolina | 26-8 | 378 | 14 |
| 15 | Florida State | 23-7 | 410 | 15 | 15 | Florida State | 23-7 | 344 | 15 |
| 16 | Maryland | 23-7 | 367 | 16 | 16 | Kentucky | 24-8 | 304 | 16 |
| 17 | Kentucky | 24-8 | 348 | 17 | 17 | Marist | 30-2 | 253 | 17 |
| 18 | Ohio State | 22-9 | 315 | 18 | 18 | Maryland | 23-7 | 241 | 18 |
| 19 | Marist | 30-2 | 248 | 19 | 19 | Gonzaga | 28-4 | 201 | 19 |
| 20 | Gonzaga | 28-4 | 217 | 20 | 20 | Oklahoma | 21-11 | 174 | 20 |
| 21 | Oklahoma | 21-11 | 157 | 21 | 21 | Georgetown | 22-10 | 157 | 21 |
| 22 | Georgetown | 22-10 | 141 | 23 | 22 | Ohio State | 22-9 | 120 | 24 |
| 23 | Georgia Tech | 23-10 | 110 | 24 | 23 | Marquette | 23-8 | 102 | 23 |
| 24 | Marquette | 23-8 | 83 | 25 | 24 | Houston | 26-5 | 56 | 22 |
| 25 | Iowa | 22-8 | 67 | NR | 25 | West Virginia | 23-9 | 38 | 25 |
| Dropped out: | Dropped Out | ||||||||
| Houston 22 | None | ||||||||
| Others receiving votes: | Others receiving votes: | ||||||||
| Penn St. 57, Houston 57, West Virginia 33, Iowa St. 21, Texas Tech 19, Louisiana Tech 13, Temple 7, Kansas St. 7, Northern Iowa 7,Rutgers 5, Princeton 4, Bowling Green 4, St. John’s 3, Georgia 3, BYU 3, Fresno St. 3, James Madison 1 | St. John’s 24; Northern Iowa 19; Georgia Tech 17; Iowa 15; Rutgers 15; Louisiana Tech 10; Penn State 7; Louisville 5; Texas Tech 5; Iowa State 4; Syracuse 2; Gardner-Webb 1; Middle Tennessee 1. | ||||||||
Kemba Walker On Cover of Latest Sports Illustrated
UConn Huskies point guard Kemba Walker is one of the five men’s basketball players on the regional covers of Sports Illustrated that hits newsstands today.
Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 3/16
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.
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 Women’s Basketball links
National Championship Or Bust For Huskies [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Moore, Hayes On State Farm List [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Maya Moore Will Be a Guest on WTIC’s Sports Talk on Wednesday [UConnHuskies.com]
Hartford’s Rizzotti Coached UConn’s Hartley, Dolson On USA Team [Hartford Courant]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Kemba’s NBA Draft Prospects [David Borges – New Haven Register]
How much life changes [Lee Lewis – The Republican-American]
UConn’s NCAA Tournament Schedule [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]
UConn Heads To Washington, D.C. For NCAA Tournament [UConnHuskies.com]
UConn men searching to complement star Walker [CT Post]
Among Tourney Teams, UConn Finishes Near Bottom In Academic Performance [Hartford Courant]
UConn Needs Alex Oriakhi To Play Strong Up Front [Hartford Courant]
UConn Football links
Video: UConn spring preview [Brian Bennett – ESPN.com]
Q&A with UConn’s George DeLeone, Part II [Brian Bennett – ESPN.com]
First day of spring (football) arrives [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]
News And Notes From Spring Practice [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Notes And Quotes From Spring Practice Day 1 [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Box on Edsall [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]
Spring practice kicks off [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]
UConn football team starts spring practice [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]
Video View: Interviews From Spring Practice Opening Day [Shawn Courchesne – Hartford Courant]
Football Holds First Spring Practice Of 2011 [UConnHuskies.com]
UConn football program starts fresh [CT Post]
Huskies’ Energy Level High At First Practice Under Pasqualoni [Hartford Courant]
Huskies begin spring practice [New Haven Register]
Coach Pasqualoni oversees first spring practice [Norwich Bulletin]
Other UConn related links
Softball. Softball Game vs. Fairfield Moved To Thursday At 3:30 p.m. [UConnHuskies.com]
Baseball. UConn Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Loss to Sacred Heart [UConnHuskies.com]
UConn Baseball: Grand slam sinks Huskies [Norwich Bulletin]
Hotties of the 2011 NCAA Women’s Tournament
Back by popular demand is our look at the Hotties of the 2011 NCAA Women’s Tournament.
After the NCAA Women’s Tournament Selection Show, I perused all the rosters of the teams invited and picked one player from each team deemed worthy for this post.
Some may not agree with my selections and that’s okay. You can let us know in the comments. There are some repeat winners from last season.
Please give credit if any of the pictures are used. Thanks. They are broken down by region.
Philadelphia Region:
To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Dayton Region:
Spokane Region:
Dallas Region:
Video: Red Sox, Yankees Talk About Opening Day
Here are members of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees talking about what Opening Day means to them.
Red Sox News From the Fort – 3/15
The New York Yankees made their way to City of Palms Park in Ft. Myers on Monday night for their final spring training matchup with the Boston Red Sox and it was the Red Sox who came away with a 2-1 win. It was the great outings from the Red Sox bullpen that led to this victory.
Alfredo Aceves got the start for the Red Sox against his old team and threw the ball well yet again. He went three innings, allowing one run on three hits and a walk with one strikeout. If Daisuke Matsuzaka falters again, it could be Aceves who sneaks into the rotation.
The bullpen though was the story of this night.
It all started with Dennys Reyes who allowed one hit in his inning of work. Jonathan Papelbon had a quick 1-2-3 inning that saw him strikeout one while Bobby Jenks allowed a hit and had a strikeout in his inning of work. Hideki Okajima allowed two hits in his inning and Rich Hill pitched the final two innings, allowing just a hit with two strikeouts to save the game for Jenks.
This was the first time this spring that Red Sox put Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez on the field at the same time. And for the exception of J.D. Drew not being in the lineup, this was probably as close to the starting lineup that Terry Francona will employ this season.
Crawford went 0-for-2 with a strikeout while Gonzalez was 1-for-3. David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, Mike Cameron, Josh Reddick and Yamaico Navarro had the other hits for the Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia added a stolen base and Jarrod Saltalamacchia had the only Red Sox RBI on the evening.
Today, the Red Sox make the trip north to my old stomping grounds in Lakeland, FL where they’ll take on the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium at 1:05 p.m.
Here are the lineups for today’s game against the Tigers:
|
|
|
||
| 1. Jacoby Ellsbury |
CF | 1. Austin Jackson | CF |
| 2. Carl Crawford |
LF | 2. Ryan Raburn | LF |
| 3. J.D. Drew |
RF | 3. Magglio Ordonez | RF |
| 4. Jason Varitek |
C | 4. Miguel Cabrera | 1B |
| 5. Jed Lowrie |
SS | 5. Victor Martinez | DH |
| 6. Darnell McDonald | DH | 6. Jhonny Peralta | SS |
| 7. Lars Anderson |
1B | 7. Brandon Inge | 3B |
| 8. Yamaico Navarro | 3B | 8. Scott Sizemore |
2B |
| 9. Nate Spears | 2b | 9. Alex Avila | C |
| Daisuke Matsuzaka | SP | Justin Verlander | SP |
Also scheduled to pitch for the Red Sox: RHP Michael Bowden, RHP Matt Albers, RHP Brandon Duckworth.
Also scheduled to pitch for the Tigers: RHP Ronnie Weinhardt, LHP Brad Thomas, RHP Alberto Alburquerque.
To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
What if Victor Martinez had re-signed with the Red Sox? [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Aceves solid against Yankees [Boston Globe]
Cameron not a forgotten man [Boston Globe]
This one was a night for sore eyes [Boston Globe]
Red Sox lineup comes together [Boston Herald]
Chili on rivalry menu [Boston Herald]
Aceves, Jenks highlight victory over Yankees [Clubhouse Insider]
The return of Victor(s) [Clubhouse Insider]
Cameron healthy, ready for bounceback year [CSNNE.com]
Ellsbury’s anticipated return a smashing success [CSNNE.com]
Notes: Batting order vs. Yanks means little [CSNNE.com]
Video: Why Tito likes spring training [ESPN Boston]
A spring-training caught stealing that meant something [ESPN Boston]
Oh, my aching back? Aceves: ‘I feel 100 percent’ [ESPN Boston]
Hail to the Victors: Martinez, father and son [ESPN Boston]
Tito places no pressure on Daisuke to perform–just get ready [ESPN Boston]
A quiet morning in Fort Myers [Extra Bases]
Red Sox-Yankees postgame notes: Aceves aces test against ex-team [Full Count]
Morning Red Sox notes: Reunion in Lakeland [Full Count]
The maturation of Clay Buchholz [Full Count]
Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima Lead Red Sox Relief Efforts for Earthquake Victims in Japan [NESN.com]
Clay Buchholz Feeling More Confident This Season With Solid Spot in Red Sox Rotation [NESN.com]
J.D. Drew Looking Forward to Sharing Outfield With Speedsters Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford [NESN.com]
Red Sox Mailbag: Debunking Cole Hamels Trade, Clubhouse Tension and Josh Beckett’s Bullpen Rumors [NESN.com]
Saltalamacchia’s top priority is to learn about his pitchers [Providence Journal]
After a spring-training taste of Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, Banuelos says he’s ready for real thing [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Aceves solid against ex-mates [Providence Journal]
Buchholz, Wakefield throw simulated game [RedSox.com]
Francona keeping options open on batting order [RedSox.com]
If healthy, Aceves valuable asset to bullpen [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 3/15
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.
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 Women’s Basketball links
NCAA practices on Saturday are NOT open to public [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
Memorable trip home for UConn’s Dolson [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
Rizzotti coming back to Gampel [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
Buck Set To Return To Practice [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
Geno Auriemma On Playing Hartford In The First Round [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
Miss Maya Gets Ready For Her Last College Run [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
More Interesting Musings From Mel Greenberg [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
Coach Rizzotti Knows All About Bria Hartley And Stef Dolson [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
Moore Named A Wooden Finalist [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Buck Hopes To Practice Tuesday [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
After a frustrating few weeks, Buck hoping to find her way back on the court [Vickie Fulkerson – The Day]
UConn women to open with Hartford, Rizzotti [CT Post]
About the Hartford Hawks [CT Post]
UConn To Meet Hartford, Rizzotti In First Round Sunday [Hartford Courant]
In Coaching, It’s All In The Timing [Hartford Courant]
Huskies No. 1 seed, will face Hartford [Hartford Courant]
UConn opener stays in-state [Norwich Bulletin]
A familiar face awaits No. 1 Huskies [The Day]
Which teams will reach Indianapolis? [ESPN.com]
Bracket’s five burning questions [Graham Hays – ESPN.com]
UConn, Tennessee could meet in semis [Mechelle Voepel – ESPN.com]
Connecticut Is No. 1 in Women’s Tournament, Seeks Third Straight Title [Bloomberg]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Breaking Down Bucknell [David Borges – New Haven Register]
We will win [Lee Lewis – The Republican-American]
Bucknell coach talks UConn, NCAA [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]
UConn Opponent Bucknell Has Confidence [Hartford Courant]
Bucknell has high hopes for tournament [Hartford Courant]
There’s no relaxation for Bisons [The Day]
The Big East is so good, it hurts [NBCSports.com]
UConn Football links
Q&A with UConn’s George DeLeone, Part I [Brian Bennett – ESPN.com]
DC answered a few more questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Former Husky Lou Allen III Is New Coach At St. Thomas More [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Football Opens Spring Practice On Tuesday [UConnHuskies.com]
Other UConn related links
Baseball. Schedule Change: Baseball to Host SHU at Dodd Stadium [UConnHuskies.com]
Baseball. Barnes Named BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week [UConnHuskies.com]
W. Lacrosse. Kahn Named To BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll [UConnHuskies.com]
UConn Women Are No. 1 Seed; Will Face Hartford on Sunday
As expected, the UConn Huskies are a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and they will see a familiar face in the first round on Sunday in Storrs, CT.
Former Husky and current Hartford Hawks coach Jen Rizzotti will bring her team to Gampel Pavilion to face the Huskies. The game is scheduled to begin at noon and will televised on ESPN2. The winner will face the winner of the 8/9 game between Kansas State and Purdue.
The Hawks won the America East Tournament to garner a bid in the tournament. The Hawks finished up the regular season 17-15 while UConn is 32-1.
The Stanford Cardinal, Baylor Bears and Tennessee Volunteers are the other No. 1 seeds. If UConn and Tennessee can win their regions, they would meet in the first game of the Final Four.
The Huskies are part of a NCAA record nine Big East teams in the tournament. The others are the Georgetown Hoyas, DePaul Blue Demons, Marquette Golden Eagles, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, St. John’s Red Storm, Louisville Cardinals, West Virginia Mountaineers and Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
NFL Lockout
The NFL and the players are involved in a lock out, this is Day 3 of what will forever seem like an an eternity. I love NFL football, especially the Patriots, but I’ve had enough. As of this moment I’ve locked out the NFL and all my NFL related feeds from my Twitter account. If they can lock out the players and screw the fans I can lock them out too.
I urge you all to do the same AND boycott the NFL Draft. Don’t watch it. Don’t tweet it. Don’t post it. I don’t know how far I can go but I’m willing to try.
Are you on the bandwagon with me?
Photo credit: JerseyAl.com