1/1 Connecticut Huskies (6-0)

Results: Connecticut 87, Clemson 48
Player of the Game: RSr. W Kalana Greene (28p, 8r, 4s, 1b, 28m)
Defensive Player of the Game: RSr. W Kalana Greene (6dr, 4s, 1b, 28m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (7r, 5a, 33m)
Stat of the Game: Fastbreak Pts.: UConn 26, Clemson 4

2009 WBCA Classic Champions!!!

2009 WBCA Classic MVP:
Sr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut

2009 WBCA Classic All-Tournament Team:
Sr. G LeLe Hardy, Clemson
RSr. W Kalana Greene, Connecticut
So. G Tiffany Hayes, Connecticut
Jr. W Maya Moore, Connecticut
Jr. G Brittani Shells, Richmond

Summary: Still to come...

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Clemson Tigers (4-2).

Event: WBCA Classic
Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 4:30pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: GameTracker

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (5-0)

Results: Connecticut 86, Richmond 37
Player of the Game: So. G Tiffany Hayes (15p, 5r, 7a, 30m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. C Heather Buck (1dr, 1s, 3b, 11m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (12p, 5r, 1a, 2s, 23m)
Stat of the Game: FT's: UConn 7-11, Richmond 0-0

Summary: It was raining three's in Gampel tonight as the Huskies hit a UConn record 10 three's in the first half last night led by Caroline Doty, who was 5-7 from deep finishing with 17p/3r/3a/1s in 29mins. UConn only committed for 4 fouls the entire game which led to no free throws for Richmond in the 86-37 victory. Tiffany Hayes had the best game of her sophomore season doing a little bit of everything as she finished with 15p/7r and a career-high 7asts. with no turnovers in 30mins. UConn All-Americans Tina Charles and Maya Moore weren't needed much and as a result both had quiet evenings finishing with 13p/5r/2a/1b in 18mins and 11p/6r/3a/2s in 29mins., respectively. Freshman Kelly Faris also had the best game of her early career coming off the bench to end up with a career-high 12pts. to go along with 5r/1a/2s in 23mins. Kaili McLaren continues to impress everyone with her passing ability. She's often so good her teammates are even expecting the beautiful feed, however, did finish the game with 4a with no turnovers and 4p/2r/1s/1b in a season-high 22mins. Overall, it was another day at the office for the UConn women imposing their intensity and will on the Spiders defensively while also shooting lights out from the floor and deep. Their one area of weakness continues to be free throw shooting. They finished 7-11 from the line for 64% and are only 73% for the season.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Richmond Spiders (4-1).

Event: WBCA Classic
Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 7:30pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: GameTracker

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (4-0)

Results: Connecticut 91, Hofstra 46

Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (23p, 8r, 4a, 5s, 1b, 30m)

Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (5dr, 5s, 1b, 30m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (2p, 9r, 3a, 4s, 25m)
Stat of the Game: Steals: UConn 22, Hofstra 14

Summary: Congratulations Geno, on win #700!!! Once again, All-Everything Maya Moore led the charge as UConn fought off a fiesty Hofstra team finishing with 23p/8r/4a/5s/1b in 30mins. Caroline Doty chipped in with 9p and a career high 9a as the Huskies won going away, 91-46. Wo! sloppy, sloppy ball game (on both sides of the court). UConn forced Hofstra into a whopping 32 turnovers on 22 steals, but turned the ball over 23 times themselves. All-American Tina Charles dominated in the middle even though she was often double- or triple-teamed finishing with 17p/8r/1a/2s/2b in 23mins. Kalana Greene woke up after halftime scoring 12 of her 14pts. with 6 coming in the first 2mins. of the 2nd half. Overall, the game was poorly officiated which led to 36 fouls and 55 turnovers combined with many fouls not having been fouls and many turnovers resulting from no-calls. Tiffany Hayes, in particular, spent much of the game on the floor after being bumped with no call and turning the ball over as a result.  Seven of the 9 Huskies who played meaningful minutes finished the game with 3 turnovers each (KG had 4). After the game, Geno wasn't too pleased about the sloppiness, but it was easily forgotten (at least until practice next week) as the Huskies put on a little celebration in tribute to their favorite coach's 700th victory. They performed a little Mastercard "priceless" skit with posters as well as wore the student section's Geno Face t-shirts with "Congrats 700" spelled out on the back of all 11 players (then messed up his perfect hair!!).

USA Basketball Gold Medalist and UConn All-American Sr. C Tina Charles was named the 2009 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year today by USA Basketball. Charles was the USA's leading scorer and rebounder while helping the 2009 USA Women's World University Games Team capture a perfect record and gold medal July 2-11 in Belgrade, Serbia. She returned to the red, white and blue two months later for the 2009 USA Women's National Team training Sept. 20-Oct. 6 in Washington, D.C. Following training camp, she averaged team second-bests for points and rebounds as the only collegiate athlete on the USA Women's National Team that rolled to three straight wins and a gold medal in the 2009 Ekaterinburg International Invitational, Oct. 9-11 in Russia. Overall, Charles spent 39 days in 2009 training or competing with a USA Basketball team. USA Basketball will nominate Charles for the U.S. Olympic Committee's 2010 SportsWoman of the Year, which is expected to be announced in January of 2010. She becomes only the 2nd Husky to be honored as former UConn Great Diana Taurasi was honored in 2006.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Hofstra Pride (3-0).

Event: WBCA Classic
Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 7:30pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: GameTracker

UConn All-American Sr. C Tina Charles was named Big East Player of the Week for the first time in her career today after averaging 19.7 ppg, 11.0 rpg while shooting 56.1% from the field, and helping UConn to 3-0 record last week including a 25-pt. victory over 10/13th ranked Texas. Last week, Charles also became only the third player in UConn history to reach 1,000-career rebounds after pulling down her 5th rebound in UConn's home opener against Northeastern.

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (3-0)

Results: Connecticut 87, Holy Cross 34
Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (21p, 7r, 4a, 4s, 23m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (9dr, 2s, 3b, 21m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (4p, 2r, 4a, 1s, 17m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 54, Holy Cross 4

Summary: UConn game out of the gates a little slow, playing down to the level of competition until All-American Maya Moore decided enough was enough scoring 13pts. on her own in a 3min, 13sec stretch to extend the Huskies' 11-pt lead out to 23. Moore would finish the game with 21p/7r/4a/4s in 23mins as UConn easily beat Holy Cross 87-34. The entire bench played in the first half and head coach Geno Auriemma pulled his starters by the 1st timeout of the 2nd half. Caroline Doty and Tina Charles were also stellar, attacking Holy Cross from the inside and out while finishing with 11p/3r/7a and 18p/9r/2s/3b, respectively. Freshmen Kelly Faris and Heather Buck also played well for UConn off the bench. Both players seem to be gaining more confidence as each game goes by and that bods well for the Huskies come Big East season. Overall, the Huskies played phenomenal defensively, ending with a season-hign 17 steals and holding the Crusaders to only 27% shooting. UConn also shared the ball tonight beautifully with 26 assists on 35 made FG's (which is almost 3 out of every 4 baskets). UConn has now won 42 consecutive games by a margin of 10 points or more as Geno earned his 699th career victory. Geno goes for win number 700 in the first game of the WBCA Classic at Gampel against Hofstra the day after Thanksgiving. With win #700, Geno will become the fastest coach in WCBB history to 700 wins as he becomes the 11th member of the 700-win club.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Holy Cross Crusaders (2-1).

Location: DCU Center (Worcester, MA)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: N/A

The UConn trio of Sr. C Tina Charles, Jr. W Maya Moore, and So. G Tiffany Hayes were three of the 50 players named to the 2009-10 Preseason Naismith Award Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. Moore seeks to become the first player ever to win two Naismith trophies in high school and college. She won the Naismith National High School Girl’s Player of the Year award in both 2006 and 2007 at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Ga., and claimed the college award this past March.

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (2-0)

Results: Connecticut 83, Texas 58
Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (20p, 11r, 4a, 4b, 33m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (9dr, 4b, 33m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (6p, 5r, 4a, 3s, 28m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 44, Texas 24

Summary: Well that was quite unexpected. I don't even think Geno expected a 25-pt victory over 10/13th-ranked Texas in Texas. But that's exactly what happened, as UConn defeated Texas 83-58. At one point, the lead got as high as 35pts. UConn's defense was stiffling holding Texas to 26% shooting in the 1st half and 32% for the game. In a foul-plagued game, All-Americans Maya Moore and Tina Charles were their usual selves. Maya got to the line a career-high 11 times (now that is what I'm talking about), hitting her first 10 on her way to a 20p/11r night. Tina added a double-double of her own with 15p/11r in only 18mins of play. Turnovers were a little problem, but outside of that every UConn player who played in the 1st 30 minutes of the game played well on both ends of the court. All 5 UConn starters finished in double figures and freshman Kelly Faris turned in a nice all-around performance and was seemingly everywhere on the court finishing with 6p/5r/4a/3s in 28mins. Senior F Kaili McLaren made her season debut with some phenomenal no-look passes and again proved why many say she is the BEST passing post in America. If only she played every game like it was her last, she would play more than 11mins and would easily be an All-Big East Second Teamer. Lastly, Geno is now only two games away from becoming the 8th member of the women's 700-win club.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 10/13 Texas Longhorns (1-0).

Event: Road to the Championship
Location: AT&T Center (San Antonio, TX)
Time: 9:30pm (ET)
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: N/A

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (1-0)

Results: Connecticut 105, Northeastern 35
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (26p, 13r, 2a, 18m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. W Meghan Gardler (2dr, 2s, 1b, 26m)
Freshman Player of the Game: RFr. F Heather Buck (4p, 12r, 1s, 21m)
Stat of the Game: Halftime: UConn 69 (Team Record), Northeastern 15

Summary: Just prior to tip-off the 6th NCAA Title Banner was unveiled, but the defending National Champs wasted no time letting the "other" Huskies know who's Home of the Huskies it was; jumping out to a 28-0 lead after 5 & 1/2 mins of play. All-American C Tina Charles dominated in just 18mins of play scoring 26p/13r and National Player of the Year W Maya Moore was her usual self, quietly pouring in 18p/10r/5a/1s in 25mins of play as UConn defeated Northeastern by 70, 105-35. Shorthanded with Dixon (hamstring) and McLaren (ankle) out of the game, the bench played early and often. Redshirt Freshman F Heather Buck made her collegiate debut finishing with 4p/12r/1s in 21mins of action. She certainly showed signs of a great future, once she gains more confidence. Her freshman counterpart, G Kelly Faris, had a quiet, typical freshmen debut, but showed she belongs. The starting backcourt of G Tiffany Hayes and G Caroline Doty played well with both running the point at different times during the game combining for 24p/7r/11a/4s and 8 to's. W Kalana Greene became the 33rd member of the UConn 1000-pt club after scoring her first basket of the day on a beautiful jump-stop, up and under move. Charles also made history today after grabbing her 5th rebound of the day by joining the elite duo of Rebecca Lobo and Jamelle Elliott as only the 3rd Husky to have 1000pts. and 1000rebs. Congrats KG and Tina Baby!!!! Simply put Northeastern had absolutely no answer for any UConn player today. They scored ever which way possible en route to a 69-pt. halftime score which is a UConn team record for points in ANY half. Every player scored and all the starters scored in double figures. Off the bench, both W Meghan Gardler and G Jacquie Fernandes played a career high in minutes tallying 10p/3r/2a/2s/1b in 26 mins and 4p/5r/2a in 24mins, respectively.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Northeastern Huskies (0-0).

Event: National Championship #6 Banner Presentation (preceeds tip off)
Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 2:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: GameTracker

Player Milestones Approaching

Seniors:
Tina Charles
362 pts. away from 2000 career points
5 rebs. away from 1000 career rebounds
30 asts. away from 150 career assists
24 stls. away from 100 career steals
39 blks. away from 250 career blocks

Jacquie Fernandes
48 pts. away from 100 career points
1 reb. away from 50 career rebounds

Meghan Gardler
74 pts. away from 250 career points
83 rebs. away from 250 career rebounds
43 asts. away from 100 career assists
20 stls. away from 50 career steals

Kalana Greene
1 pt. away from 1000 career points
184 rebs. away from 750 career rebounds
37 asts. away from 200 career assists
31 stls. away from 150 career steals
11 blks. away from 50 career blocks

Kaili McLaren
42 pts. away from 500 career points
104 rebs. away from 500 career rebounds
20 asts. away from 200 career assists
6 stls. away from 50 career steals

Juniors:
Lorin Dixon
87 pts. away from 250 career points
23 rebs. away from 150 career rebounds
22 asts. away from 150 career assists
22 stls. away from 50 career steals

Maya Moore
68 pts. away from 1500 career points
112 rebs. away from 750 career rebounds
7 asts. away from 250 career assists
11 stls. away from 150 career steals
32 blks. away from 150 career blocks
37 3's away from 200 career 3's made

Sophomores:
Caroline Doty
103 pts. away from 250 career points
43 rebs. away from 100 career rebounds
17 asts. away from 50 career assists

Tiffany Hayes
173 pts. away from 500 career points
94 rebs. away from 250 career rebounds
48 asts. away from 150 career assists
6 stls. away from 50 career steals

2009-10 ESPN Women's College Basketball Season Preview:

Preseason Player of the Year:
Jr. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut*

Preseason All-American Teams:
First Team:
Jr. C Jane Appel, Stanford
Jr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
Sr. PF Alysha Clark, Middle Tenn. State
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut
Sr. SG Monica Wright, Virginia

Second Team:
Sr. SG Allison Hightower, LSU
Jr. C Jantel Lavender, Ohio State
Sr. SF Danielle McCray, Kansas
Jr. SF Kayla Pedersen, Stanford
Jr. PG Danielle Robinson, Oklahoma

Best Players (per position):
Point Guard:
1. Jr. Danielle Robinson, Oklahoma
Jr. Cetera DeGraffenreid, North Carolina
So. Samantha Prahalis, Ohio State
Sr. Andrea Riley, Oklahoma State
Jr. Courtney Vandersloot, Gonzaga

Shooting Guard:
1. Sr. Monica Wright, Virginia
Jr. Alexis Gray-Lawson, California
So. Tiffany Hayes, Connecticut
Sr. Allison Highltower, LSU
Jr. Jeanette Pohlen, Stanford

Small Forward:
1. Jr. Maya Moore, Connecticut
Sr. Alysha Clark, Middle Tenn. State
Sr. Danielle McCray, Kansas
Jr. Kayla Pedersen, Stanford
So. Shekinna Stricklen, Tennessee

Power Forward:
1. Sr. Amber Harris, Xavier
Sr. Heather Bowman, Gonzaga
Sr. Kelsey Griffin, Nebraska
Jr. Ify Ibekwe, Arizona
Sr. Jacinta Monroe, Florida State

Center:
1. Sr. Jayne Appel, Stanford
Sr. Tina Charles, Connecticut
Jr. Jantel Lavender, Ohio State
Jr. Ta'Shia Phillips, Xavier
Jr. Carolyn Swords, Boston College

ARV (any position):
SG Angie Bjorklund, Tennessee; C Allyssa DeHaan, Michigan State; SG Tyra Grant, Penn State; PF Rachele Fitz, Marist; PG JJ Hones, Stanford; PG Ashley Houts, Georgia; PF Glory Johnson, Tennessee; PF Allison Lacey, Iowa State; PF Jene Morris, San Diego State; PF Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Stanford; SG Brittainey Raven, Texas; C Angel Robinson, Georgia; C Jenna Smith, Illinois; SG Helena Sverridottir, TCU; PF Kalee Whipple, Utah.

Preseason Top 10:
1. Connecticut, 40* 
2. Stanford, 36
3. North Carolina, 31
4. Notre Dame, 26
5. Ohio State, 21
6. Duke, 20
7. Baylor, 15
8. Tennessee, 14
9. Michigan State, 6
10. Xavier, 4

*unanimously tabbed preseason favorite by ESPN.com's panel of contributors -- columnists Mechelle Voepel, Graham Hays and Charlie Creme and editor Melanie Jackson.

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (0-0)

Results: Connecticut 98, Vanguard 68
Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (33p, 8r, 1a, 4s, 2b, 31m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (4dr, 4s, 2b, 31m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (9p, 3r, 5a, 1s, 3b, 27m)
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 38, Vanguard 37

Summary: The Huskies made quick hast of Vanguard jumping out to a 14-0 lead with only 4 minutes gone by on its way to a 98-68 victory over Vanguard. Once again they were led by All-Americans Moore and Charles who finished with 33/8 and 16/11, respectively. Tonight Dixon got off to a much better start, but was derailed by a strained hamstring while going up for a fast break lay-up. She did not return to the game and is listed as questionable for this Saturday's game against Northeastern. The guards shot much better this game and combined UConn hit 15-34 3-pt shots.  Hayes rebounded from a poor outing last exhibition game to finish with 15p, 3a, and 3s, but had 6 turnovers as she took over point guard duties for most of the remainder of the game after Dixon's injury. She looks good running the point and has a decent handle, however it is clear she needs much more experience 1. learning how to get the ball to players in their sweet spots, 2. picking and choosing when to thread the needle, drive to the rim, or shoot the ball, and 3. being a vocal leader. On defense, Vanguard kept the Huskies on their heels with their ability to shoot quickly and penetrate using a jap-step. Many times the Lions were able to beat their perimeter defenders off the dribble and get to the rim or pull up for a short jumper (For once, UConn could really learn something from an opponent on offense since it is a very effective offense weapon--hint, hint KG). Coach Auriemma will surely point that out during film session and firmly voice his displeasure. Overall, another day at the office for the Huskies. It was nice to see Maya being so offensively selfish as well as getting to the FT line. Clearly, Geno proved in these two exhibition games that she and the rest of the first 7 will be counted on a lot this season to play a ton of minutes even against lesser opponents. It will be important for players like Gardler and McLaren (and eventually Buck) to give it their all every second they're on the court and hopefully they can crack into the normal rotation instead of playing just breather/garbage minutes.

Game notes (pdf) for today's exhibition game vs. Vanguard Lions (NAIA).

Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: none
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: HuskyVision
Live Stats: GameTracker

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (0-0)

Results: Connecticut 85, St. Rose 44
Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (19p, 7r, 6a, 5s, 2b, 24m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (1dr, 5s, 2b, 24m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (14p, 2r, 4a, 3s, 25m)
Stat of the Game: 2nd Chance Pts.: UConn 35, St. Rose 8

Summary: All-Americans Moore and Charles picked up right where they left off in the 2009 Title Game help UConn defeat top DII program St. Rose scoring 19/7 and 14/11, respectively. True Freshman Faris made her career debut and Doty returned from last seasons ACL injury without batting an eye. Faris came off the bench and was very impressive. She quickly established herself as a defensive nightmare and very-sound offensive threat. The future looks bright for #34. Doty looked unfazed in her first real game in over 10 months and finished with 11/6 in 20 solid minutes off the bench. The Huskies backcourt had a terrible shooting night only hitting 7 of 29 3's specifically Hayes who only finished with 3pts. on 1-11 shooting (1-9 from deep). Dixon looked more confident, but struggled as the starting point guard. Moore still needs to learn how to create more contact in order to put more pressure on the refs to blow the whistle and ultimately get to the free throw line much, much more (like 10-12 times a night). The Huskies as a team didn't get to the line much tonight as the refs only blew 23 times combined, but they didn't execute well when they did get there only hitting 6 of 12 FT's (neither Moore or Charles got to the line). Charles, Greene, and Dixon are great in the paint, but have to expand their range (especially Dixon). Geno and staff are not likely very pleased and the players won't be satisfied after watching the game film. Overall, a decent outing by the defending National Champs. The expectations are high in Storrs, and clearly, much more improvement is needed.

Game notes (pdf) for today's exhibition game vs. St. Rose Golden Knights (DII).

Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 7:30pm (ET)
TV: none
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: HuskyVision
Live Stats: GameTracker

The four University of Connecticut men's and women's basketball exhibition games will be available via streaming video at HuskyVision on UConnHuskies.com. The four exhibition games will not be available on commercial television.

A subscription to HuskyVision is required to view the games and is priced at $9.95 and can be purchased at UConnHuskies.com.

The four games that will be streamed will be:
Wed., Nov. 4, men vs. AIC, 7:00pm (XL Center)
Thur., Nov. 5, women vs. Saint Rose, 7:30pm (Gampel Pavilion)
Sat., Nov. 8, men vs. UMass-Lowell, 1:00pm (Gampel Pavilion)
Mon., Nov. 9, women vs. Vanguard, 7:00pm (XL Center)

The games will also be archived on the site for viewing by subscribers.

UConn is also the UNANIMOUS #1 in the 2009-10 Preseason ESPN/USA Today Poll released today.

Moore History:

Today Jr. All-American SF Maya Moore was named as an unanimous selection to the 2009-10 Preseason AP All-America Team along with fellow UConn teammate and Sr. All-American C Tina Charles. Moore received all 40 media votes and becomes the 7th player in WCBB history to be selected unanimously to the preseason AP All-America team. And for the fifth time in WCBB history, two teammates from the university were selected to the preseason team.  It's the third time two Huskies have been on the preseason team as Jen Rizzotti and Kara Wolters were named in 1995-96 and Shea Ralph and Svetlana Abrosimova were named in 2000-01. Rizzotti and Wolters were first-team All-Americans after the season, too (OTH, Ralph and Abrosimova both ended the season with injuries).

The 2009-10 Preseason AP Poll was released today:

UCONN: UNANIMOUS #1.

Do I even need any commentary?? I mean, what would I say that hasn't already been said (twice)??

The Most Shocking News of the Day!!

The defending National Champions were picked to win the 2009-10 Big East Conference Regular Season Title in a poll voted on by the league coaches today at Big East Media Day. Connecticut was the unanimous choice by the coaches. Connecticut's Maya Moore was selected as the 2009-10 Preseason Big East POTY and Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins was picked as the 2009-10 Preseason Big East FOTY. Twelve players were named to the 2009-10 Preseason All Big East Team including Connecticut's Moore, Tina Charles, and Tiffany Hayes (Kalana Greene was named an honorable mention).

2009-10 Preseason Big East Poll:
1. Connecticut 225 (15)
2. Notre Dame 210 (1)
3(t). DePaul 171
3(t). Louisville 171
5. Pittsburgh 167
6. Rutgers 156
7. Syracuse 126
8. Georgetown 124
9. West Virginia 121
10. Marquette 111
11. South Florida 86
12. St. John's 84
13. Villanova 78
14. Seton Hall 33
15. Providence 31
16. Cincinnati 26

( ) - Indicates first-place votes

2009-10 Preseason BIG EAST Honors:
Player of the Year:
Jr. F Maya Moore, Connecticut (not being unanimous is baffling to me!?!)
Freshman of the Year:
Fr. G Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame*

2009-10 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team:
Sr. G Ashley Bartow, Notre Dame
Sr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut*
So. F/C Keisha Hampton, DePaul
So. G Tiffany Hayes, Connecticut
Sr. F Nicole Michael, Syracuse
Jr. F Maya Moore, Connecticut*
Sr. G Deirdre Naughton, DePaul
Jr. G Liz Repella, West Virginia
Jr. G Angel Robinson, Marquette*
Sr. G Kahla Roudebusch, Cincinnati
Sr. G/F Lindsay Schrader, Notre Dame
So. F Da'Shena Stevens, St. John's

* - unanimous selection
{an extra member was added to the preseason team due to tie in the voting}

2009-10 Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention:
Jr. G Deseree Byrd, Louisville
RSr. G/F Kalana Greene, Connecticut
Sr. G Brittany Ray, Rutgers

More Bittersweet (Recruiting) News!

As our heart continue to be filled with sadness over the loss of UConn Football Star Jasper "Jazz" Howard, one of the Top Point Guards in the country is helping round out UConn's 2010 recruiting class quite nicely. Today 5'10 Sr. PG Bria Hartley (North Babylon H.S., NY) verbally committed to becoming the 5th member of this year's class.  Hartley was on campus this weekend on her official visit and took in UConn's First Night and first official practice. Welcome to Storrs, Bria!!

Now the Huskies await word from the #1 Player in the 2010 class, 6'3 Sr. PF Chiney Ogwumike (Cy Fair H.S., TX), who attended UConn's first practice this weekend on her official visit to the Storrs campus. Ogwumike's top 3 are Connecticut, Notre Dame, and Stanford, but Stanford has been rumored to be her landing spot ever since her older sister, Nneka, signed to play there in 2007. She will make an official visit to Stanford this coming weekend. (As a freshman, Nneka [a Top 5 recruit in the 2008 class] quietly came away with 13pts. & 12rebs. against UConn at the 2009 Final Four, but NOW she is a Sophomore this season and you WILL notice her when UConn plays Stanford at the XL Center [Hartford, CT] on Dec 23rd, 2009).

Bitter-sweet (Recruiting) News amist Tradegy:

Early today the UConn family, campus, and community lost a very special member of its family.  Starting CB for the UConn Football team, Jr. Jasper Howard sadly became UConn campus' first homicide in over 30 years after losing his life early this morning outside the UConn Student Union after suffering stab wounds in an altercation around 12:30am. As a UConn Alumni, I am even more devasted by this loss to our tiny little community and pray his assailant is captured quickly and brought to justice. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jazz's family and unborn child.

[The UConn Police and Connecticut State Police Major Crime Unit continue to actively investigate this incident and ask that anyone with information pertaining to the incident contact UConn Police at 860-486-4800.]

Fast-forward to 10:30pm for the only good news of the day: while UConn Women's Basketball team awaits the decision of two of the top-ranked uncommitted players of the 2010 class, the Huskies received their first verbal commitment for the 2011 class today. H.S. Junior 6'0 SF Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Mater Dei H.S. (CA), is ranked as the #1 overall player in the Blue Star rankings and #2 overall (#1 wing) in the ESPN HoopGurlz Super 60.

Today Phoenix Mercury G/F Diana Taurasi become the first former UConn player to be named WNBA Most Valuable Player. She garnered 27 1st-place votes and 323 points overall en route to being named the 2009 WNBA MVP. She led the league in scoring at 20.4ppg on her way to winning her third Peak Performer Award for Scoring and being the leading vote-getter for the All-WNBA teams (named to the 2009 All-WNBA First Team).

On Sept. 5, Taurasi became the fastest player to 4,000 career points doing so in 197 games to break Lauren Jackson’s record (209). She led the league in three pointers made with 79 and ranked seventh in the league in three-point shooting percentage (40.7). Taurasi ranks 13th in league history for points scored (4,029) and third in all-time points per game (20.3). This season, Taurasi ranked among the WNBA’s top ten leaders in nearly every category, including points per game (first), three point field goals made (first), three-point field goals attempted (fourth), three-point field goal percentage (seventh), free throws made (third), free throws attempted (fifth), free throw percentage (sixth), field goals made (fifth), field goals attempted (10th), blocks per game (eighth) and defensive rebounds per game (sixth).

She was also named to 2009 First Team All-WNBA, her fourth consecutive honor and fifth overall in her six WNBA seasons (2005 season was named to the Second Team), a WNBA All-Star, her fourth such appearance, and earned the 10th-career Player of the Week Award for the week of Aug. 17th. Her efforts helped propel the Mercury to the best record in the WNBA at 23-11, which also tied a franchise record, and the top overall seed in the 2009 WNBA Playoffs.

Currently, Taurasi has led (23.8ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.7apg) the Mercury to the 2009 WNBA Finals to face the Indiana Fever. Game 1 of the Finals begins tonight on ESPN2 live from Phoenix at 9:00pm. Check out the rest of the Finals schedule here.

2009 All-WNBA Teams
First Team:
G Becky Hammon, San Antonio (169) [3 MVP votes, 77]
G Cappie Pondexter, Phoenix (151) [1 MVP vote, 99]
F Tamika Catchings Indiana (167) [3 MVP votes, 163]
F Diana Taurasi Phoenix (201) [27 MVP votes, 323]
C Lauren Jackson, Seattle (179)
Second Team:
G Katie Douglas, Indiana (138) [5 MVP votes, 128]
G Deanna Nolan, Detroit (75)
F Candace Parker, Los Angeles (100)
F Sophia Young, San Antonio (72)
C Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles (69)

Today Minnesota Lynx and former UConn All-American PG Renee Montgomery was added to the USA Senior National Team training camp roster. She becomes the 7th current or former UConn player named to the roster which will be coached by UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma. Montgomery's Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Jennifer Gillom was recently named an assistant coach for the USA Senior National Team along with DePaul Head Coach Doug Bruno. The other six UConn players are Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Tina Charles, Asjha Jones, Maya Moore, and Diana Taurasi (Taurasi who will not attend camp due to participation in 2009 WNBA Finals).

Today Minnesota Lynx and former UConn All-American PG Renee Montgomery was named to the 2009 WNBA Adidas All-Rookie Team. Montgomery garnered 11 of the possible 12 coaches votes (coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team). Montgomery, the No. 4 overall draft pick, became a consistent option off the bench in her first season. She averaged 9.0 points and 2.1 assists. Montgomery, who started nine games this season ranked third on the Lynx in assists and ranked in the top five among rookies in assists and points. She tallied a career-high 24 points in a 95-88 win over the Connecticut Sun on Aug. 7th.

2009 WNBA Adidas All-Rookie Team:
F DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix (12)
F Angel McCoughtry, Atlanta (12)
G Renee Montgomery Minnesota (11)
G Shavonte Zellous Detroit (11)
F Marissa Coleman Washington Mystics (6)

Time to play with the BIG Girls!!!

Today USA Sr. National Team and UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma announced that UConn All-Americans Sr C Tina Charles and Jr Maya Moore along with Stanford All-American Sr C Jayne Appel, have been invited to participate in the first practice sessions for the USA Sr. National Team from Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2009 at American University in Washington, D.C. They are the only three college players that have been invited. Moore is still recovering from a sprained knee that she got during practice for the World University Games. According to Auriemma, she's progressing fine and will be ready for the camp. In the time since, it has been determined that that a pair of Connecticut Sun players, former UConn All-American Asjha Jones and Lindsay Whalen, have also been invited. The practice session begins a process that will lead to the 12-member 2012 U.S. Olympic team. The first major competition for the squad will be the 2010 World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic, in late September 2010.

"We need to see how good they are in relation to the professionals," Auriemma said.

Connecticut All Americans Sr Tina Charles and Jr Maya Moore today were named as two of the 2009-10 31 preseason candidates for the 2010 Women's Wooden Award. Moore won the prestigious Wooden award last season. The Huskies were one of four teams with two players on the list along with Ohio State, Stanford, and Gonzaga (yes Gonzaga!!).

The Wooden Award Committee will release the Midseason Top 20 list in late December. The National Ballot, consisting of approximately 15 top players who have proven to their universities that they are also making progress toward graduation and maintaining a cumulative 2.0 GPA, will be released in March. The Women's Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced during the week of the NCAA Elite Eight. The 34th annual Wooden Award ceremony will held during the weekend of April 9-11.

ESPN's College GameDay crew rolling into Storrs...

For the first time in ESPN's College GameDay (and crew) will travel to Storrs, CT for a Connecticut women's basketball match-up. UConn will face Notre Dame on Jan. 16, 2010 at 9:00 pm on ESPN to kick off the 2010 conference season. Here's a look at the complete College GameDay schedule:

Date Site Game (All 9:00 pm ET on ESPN unless otherwise noted)
Jan. 16 Storrs, CT Notre Dame at Connecticut (women’s)
Jan. 23 Clemson, SC Duke at Clemson
Jan. 30 Manhattan, KS Kansas at Kansas State (7:00 pm ET)
Feb. 6 Champaign, IL Michigan State at Illinois
Feb. 13 Lexington, KY Tennessee at Kentucky
Feb. 20 Seattle, WA UCLA at Washington
Feb. 27 Syracuse, NY Villanova at Syracuse
Mar. 6 Durham, NC North Carolina at Duke

2009-10 Preseason Wade Watch List!!!

Lots of Husky and Cardinal flavor with UConn and Stanford both landing 3 players each on the 25 member 2009-10 Preseason Wade Watch list. UConn Sr. C Tina Charles, Jr. SF Maya Moore, and So. SG Tiffany Hayes are on the "watch" list which will award the 2010 State Farm Wade Trophy to the WCBB's DI Player of the Year next April at the Final Four in San Antonio, TX.

P.S. - not to sound spiteful, but why was it mentioned nowhere in the article about the fact that Moore was the 2009 Wade Trophy winner...shouldn't that have been the opening sentence...something like "2009 Wade Trophy winner Maya Moore headlines the 2010 Preseason Wade Watch list..." (wake up people, Parker wouldn't have gotten this treatment)

Welcome Back, Cash Money!!

Seattle Storm SF (and former UConn All-American) Swin Cash won MVP honors at the 2009 WNBA All-Star game today after turning in a record-setting performance with 22 pts. (most points in All-Star game history), 6 rebs., and 4 asts. as the West defeated the East, 130-118. The game was played at the Mohegan Sun Arena home of the Connecticut Sun and it turned into a UConn coming out party as Cash's teammate Seattle Storm PG (and former UConn All-American) Sue Bird garnered a double-double with 16 pts., 5 rebs., and 10 asts. (most assists in All-Star game history) for the West. Phoenix Mercury SF (and former UConn All-American) Diana Taurasi finished with 18 pts., 4 rebs., and 4 asts. and Minnesota Lynx PF (and former UConn All American honorable mention) Charde Houston had 16 pts., 6 rebs., and 3 stls. for the West. Connecticut Sun PF (and former UConn All-American) Asjha Jones quietly added 6 pts., 4 rebs., and 6 asts. for the East. All told the FIVE former Husky Greats totaled 78 pts., 25 rebs., 25 asts., and 3 stls.

Add in the 2009 NCAA Championship and I'd say it's a great year to be a Connecticut Husky!!!

All you big-time UConn Huskies fans out there should be excited. With the 2009 WNBA All Star Game being played at the Mohegan Sun Arena (home of the Connecticut Sun), UConn fans have a chance to see the best of the best in the WNBA, but that also means the best of the best former UConn players will be on display. Seattle Storm's Sue Bird and Swin Cash were picked to be starters for the Western Conference by the fans last week and today the reserves were picked by the coaches. Phoenix Mercury's Diana Taurasi and Minnesota Lynx's Charde Houston were named reserves for the Western Conference while Connecticut Sun's Asjha Jones was named a reserve for the Eastern Conference.

2009 WNBA All Star Game
July 25, 2009 3:30 pm ET (ABC)
Mohegan Sun Arena
hosted by Connecticut Sun

Eastern Conference
Starters:
G Alana Beard, Washington
G Katie Douglas, Indiana
F Tamika Catchings, Indiana
F Candice Dupree, Chicago
C Sylvia Fowles, Chicago
Reserves:
G Jia Perkins, Chicago
G Katie Smith, Detroit
F Shameka Christon, New York
F Asjha Jones, Connecticut
F Sancho Lyttle, Atlanta
C Erika DeSouza, Atlanta


Western Conference
Starters:
G Sue Bird, Seattle
G Becky Hammon, San Antonio
F Swin Cash, Seattle
F Lauren Jackson, Seattle
C Lisa Leslie*, Los Angeles
Reserves:
G Diana Taurasi, Phoenix
G Cappie Pondexter, Phoenix
F Charde Houston, Minnesota
F Sophia Young, San Antonio
F Tina Thompson, Los Angeles
C Nicky Anosike, Minnesota
*F Nicole Powell, Sacramento (inj. replacement)

It is July and UConn Sophomore Sensation Maya Moore is still winning awards!!!! Last night she won an ESPY for 2009 Best Female Collegiate Athlete. The 2009 ESPY awards will be broadcast on Sunday, July 19th on ESPN at 9:00 pm. UConn was up for a total of 4 ESPY's including Best Team (the 2008-09 UConn women's basketball team), Best Coach (UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma), and Best (Overall) Female Athlete (Maya Moore, Connecticut).

Another title game, another MVP award...

This time it was UConn Sr. Tina Charles winning MVP honors with a monster 28 pt., 18 reb. performance in the Gold Medal game of the 2009 World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia. Charles along with fellow UConn teammate So. Tiffany Hayes led the USA to an 83-64 victory over Russia and an undefeated 7-0 record for the tournament. UConn Jr. Maya Moore was also on the team, but sat out the entire tournament as a precaution for pain in her right knee (sprain). Charles led USA in scoring (16.1 ppg), rebounding (6.1 rpg), FG's made (47) while Hayes was fourth in scoring (8.7 ppg), 1st in 3-pt FG's made (9), third in assists (1.9 apg), and t-2nd in steals (1.7 spg)

America's Red, White, and Blue!!!!

Or just call them UConn's Charles, Hayes, and Moore. Today UConn's latest version of the superstar trio of Sr. C Tina Charles, So. SG Tiffany Hayes, and Jr. SF Maya Moore were named to USA Basketball's 2009 World University Games team that will compete in Belgrade, Serbia from July 1-11, 2009. They will be joined by nine other college aged basketball stars from around the country. Hayes is the only freshman (sophomore to be) to make this year's squad. The team will be coached by Arizona State Head Coach Charli Turner Thorne, who returns to the USA sideline after assisting the USA women to a gold medal at the 2007 FIBA U21 World Championship. Her assistant coaches will be Michigan State Head Coach Suzy Merchant and Pepperdine Head Coach Julie Rousseau. The U.S. squad will continue training camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., through June 25, when the team departs for Belgrade, Serbia.

Today the University of Connecticut and Head Coach Geno Auriemma announced former Boston University basketball star Marisa Moseley as their newest Assistant Head Coach. She replaces former UConn Great Jamelle Elliot, who recently became the Head Coach of the University of Cincinnati's women's basketball team. Moseley worked two years as an assistant for Minnesota's Pam Borton, coaching post players and helping in recruiting and scouting. She also spent the 2006-07 season at Denver, helping the Pioneers to a 20-11 record, their first 20-plus win season since 2000-01.

"I met Marisa when I was at UConn at Coach Auriemma's camp," said Connecticut Sun and former UConn forward Asjha Jones. "We became friends right away. She's a great person. She immediately draws you in. She's that type of person. She'll be a lot like Jamelle, the person the players can go talk to. She's an awesome person, extremely likable. The players will accept her right away. She's very coachable, even as a coach."

Out of Left Field.....

UConn assistant women's basketball coach Jamelle Elliott will be named the next head coach of the University of Cincinnati Women's Basketball team at a press conference Tuesday at 4 p.m. A source in the UConn athletic office confirmed Elliott's hiring by the Bearcats to replace J. Kelley Hall, who had coached the team for the last two seasons. Elliott, a former UConn player who has been an assistant on Geno Auriemma's staff for the last 12 seasons, is the second assistant to leave Auriemma in the last two years. Tonya Cardoza left before last season to coach Temple.