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.

Meet and Greet with Obama!!!

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in Friday morning's press briefing that the 2009 NCAA Champion UConn Huskies will be meeting with President Obama on Monday, April 27th at 2:00 pm.

There is a little Parade this Sunday morning before the BIG Parade Sunday afternoon. When you open your paper tomorrow morning you will find that incoming UConn freshman (H.S. Sr) Kelly Farris was named to the 2008-09 Parade All America First Team. Fellow UConn commit (H.S. Jr) Samarie Walker was named to the Third Team. Baylor signee Brittney Griner was named the 2008-09 Parade National Player of the Year.

Add another UConn player to the list of National Players of the Year!!!

Today Renee Montgomery was informed she is the winner of the 2009 Honda Sports Award as the nation's top collegiate female basketball player. Winners are selected in each of the 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports by a panel of more than 1,000 NCAA administrators. Three other athletes are honored as the Division II Athlete of the Year, Division III Athlete of the Year and Inspiration Award winner. Each woman is selected not only for her superior athletic skills, but also for her leadership abilities, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. At the end of the year, one deserving athlete will be chosen as the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and receive the coveted Honda-Broderick Cup.

It's Official!!!

Connecticut Women's Basketball Head Coach Geno Auriemma has been named the USA Basketball Women's Senior National (Olympic) Team Head Coach today by the USA Basketball Committee. His reign will serve through the 2012 London Olympic Games. Auriemma says he will continue coaching the Huskies while also taking over as coach of the USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team.

With 24-year coaching veteran Auriemma at the helm, the U.S. will first look to capture the title at the 16th FIBA World Championship, scheduled to be played Sept. 23 – Oct. 3 in the Czech Republic, with an automatic berth to the 2012 Olympic Games being awarded to the gold medalist. Should the U.S. not finish with the gold medal in ‘10, it would have two additional chances to qualify for the Olympics: the 2011 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament (dates and site TBD); and 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament (dates and site TBD). Auriemma, who currently owns an astounding 696-122 record for a stunning 85.1 winning percentage, heads up what many have termed the most successful basketball program of this decade, winning five of the nine NCAA crowns since 2000. At the helm of Connecticut since the 1985-86 season, his teams have captured a total of six NCAA titles (1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009) in 10 Final Four appearances and collected a combined 32 regular season and Big East Conference Tournament championships. He is also the first women’s coach to guide a team to five straight Final Fours (2000-04).

"I don’t know if I can adequately describe my feelings and my emotions when I was asked to do this and how I felt ever since," said Auriemma. "It’s an opportunity that if you’re very fortunate comes once in your life and I never thought I would ever have this opportunity. It’s just overwhelming, the emotions that run through you. What an incredible honor it is to be selected."

"There is no better coach in America than Geno Auriemma and we are delighted to be able to have a coach of his caliber lead our women’s national team program through the 2012 Olympic Games," said USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo. "The USA Basketball women’s national team has achieved tremendous success over the years and as winners of the last four Olympic gold medals, the expectations remain very high. Geno’s success at UConn, both his win-loss record and the development of his players, speaks for itself and makes him a perfect choice to take hold of the reins."

"It’s amazing for coach Auriemma," said former Husky and two-time Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi. "I know as a player this is a lifetime opportunity to play for the best coach in basketball. It’s a dream come true for me, I always knew I would be his player again. I’m very happy. Coach has the passion and smarts to be a successful coach. He knows how to make talented players into a dominate unit and challenges players in ways no one can."

"I think that his being the USA Women’s National Team coach is going to be interesting," said two-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings. "I know that he knows how to win and obviously he knows what he's looking for in his players and his team to perform as a group. I’m definitely looking forward to coming back and playing with the USA National Team."

NOTE: The press conference will be available by 3:00 pm on HuskyVision.

Breaking News...

via Press Release:

Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 1:30 pm ET
The Great Room, Alumni House
University of Connecticut

USA Basketball has scheduled a media press conference to announce the 2009-12 USA Basketball Women's National Team head coach, who will head the U.S. teams at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, if necessary the 2011 Olympic Qualifying Tournament and, if the United States qualifies, the 2012 Olympic Games.

The press conference will be streamed live online at: www.uconnhuskies.com

Join the UConn Bandwagon Parade...

Connecticut Govenor M. Jodi Rell announced today the state of CT and city of Hartford will host a parade on Sunday April 19, 2009, to congratulate and honor the 2008-09 UConn Women's Basketball Team for winning the 2009 NCAA Women's National Basketball Championship and the school's 6th title overall. The parade will take place at 3 pm near the Bushnell Park, Main Street, and Capitol Avenue areas of the city, and will begin and end at the State Capitol. A rally will take place on the north steps of the Capitol immediately following the parade.

"The UConn women's basketball team has a long tradition of success when it comes to the Big East and the NCAA National Championships. Husky fans rightly want to continue the state's wonderful tradition of giving these young women and their coaches the recognition and admiration they truly deserve. A parade in downtown Hartford is just one way to do just that - not only for the players, the coaches and the University, but for the thousands of fans of all ages who helped cheer them on to a perfect 39-0 season and a 6th NCAA (title). Frankly, the people of Connecticut needed some good news and the undefeated women's team provided it. Let's return the favor by lining the parade route and showing them how much they really mean to us." stated Gov. Rell.

Consensus...

Connecticut's Maya Moore completed the sweep of the five major 2008-09 WCBB National Player of the Year honors today after being named the winner of the 2009 Women's John Wooden Award. She is also the AP, Naismith, USBWA, and WBCA's National Player of the Year. In the Wooden Award voting, Moore finished with 176 points, followed by Oklahoma's Courtney Paris with 133 points, Louisville's Angel McCoughtry with 101 points, fellow Connecticut teammate Renee Montgomery with 97 points, and Maryland's Kristi Toliver with 68 points.

Also...McCoughtry, Montgomery, Moore, and Paris are also finalists for the 2009 Honda Sports Award for the nation's top collegiate female basketball player (the Honda Award recognizes winners in all 12 NCAA-sanctioned female sports).

ABC World News Person(s) of the Week...

The 2008-09 Undefeated 39-0 National Champion UConn Huskies

Watch the segment from ABC World News Tonight with Charles Gibson here.

More great news from the recuiting front...

UConn's ever expanding recruiting class is now at four after the verbal commitment 5'11 SG Lauren Engeln (Laguna Hills, CA) on Thursday. Lauren, who was at the Final Four with her parents to watch UConn win its sixth national title, informed the coaches of her decision today according to her AAU coach Russ Davis. She is ranked 87th in the ESPN HoopGurlz Class of 2010. She joins 6'5 C Stefanie Dolson, 6'3 PF Michala Johnson, and 6'1 SF Samarie Walker as the high school juniors who have committed to UConn.

The last piece of UConn's recruiting class could be 5'10 PG Bria Hartley out of North Babylon High, who was named the Gatorade New York Player of the Year as a junior. Hartley was hoping to visit UConn this week but those plans fell through since UConn was in the Final Four and UConn coach Geno Auriemma was in New Jersey for Thursday's WNBA draft and will leave with Maya Moore Friday for the Wooden Award banquet.

And with the 4th Pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft the Minnesota Lynx select....

University of Connecticut PG Renee Montgomery!!!!

She joins former UConn teammate Charde Houston along with former Wade Trophy winner's Seimone Augustus (LSU) and Candice Wiggins (Stanford).

Follow along with the 2009 WNBA Draft at WNBA.com and find out where UConn's outstanding Senior PG Renee Montgomery will land. She is the NEW choice for the No. 1 Overall Pick in the lastest WNBA Mock Draft which belongs to the Atlanta Dream. The first round of the 2009 WNBA Draft will be televised live on ESPN2 at 3:00 pm. The second and third rounds will continue to be televised live on NBATV and ESPNU at 4:00 pm. Personally, I would love to see her in Phoenix with Taurasi, but after her performance in the Final 4, there is no way she will be on the board when the 5th Overall Pick rolls around.

The 2009 WNBA Draft Order (1st Rd):
1. Atlanta Dream
2. Washington Mystics
3. Chicago Sky
4. Minnesota Lynx
5. Phoenix Mercury
6. Indiana Fever
7. Sacramento Monarchs
8. New York Liberty
9. Minnesota Lynx (via Was via LA)
10. Connecticut Sun
11. Detroit Shock
12. Seattle Storm
13. Los Angeles Sparks (via Atl via SA)

Watch the Connecticut Women's Basketball 2009 National Championship Pep Rally LIVE now via WTNH News Ch. 8!

I must say I absolutely LOVE the new UConnHuskies.com! Way to go UConn...I am totally blown away by the National Championship coverage of Our Ladies...everyone check it out if you haven't already!!!!

Pep Rally Set....

The 2009 National Champion Connecticut women's basketball team will leave St. Louis at 1:00 pm ET today and is expected to return to Bradley International Airport at approximately 3:15 pm ET.

Upon arrival at Bradley, there will be a short public event (rain/shine). That event will include remarks from UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma.

Upon arrival at Storrs, there will be a Championship Pep Rally in Gampel Pavilion. The doors to Gampel will open to the public at 3:00 pm and the team is expected to arrive in Storrs at approximately 4:30 pm. The event at Gampel is free and open to the public. The program will include the introduction of the team and also include brief comments from Coach Auriemma and a few players.

A special Thank You to Our Outstanding Seniors...

Cassie Kerns, Renee Montgomery, and Tahirah Williams

...for an amazing four years and everything each of you contributed to this undefeated 2008-09 National Championship season!!!! Good Luck in everything you do in life!!!!

Renee Montgomery's Legacy:
(Connecticut, Point Guard , 06-09)

Thank you so much Renee for 4 incredible years!!!! We will miss you!!!! Good Luck on your future whereever it may take you!!!!




Accomplishments:
NCAA WCBB Champion, Undefeated 39-0 (09)
NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team (09)
3-time UConn Captain (07,08,09)
2-time State Farm All-American (08,09)
All-Big East First Team (07, 08, 09)
AP First Team All-American (09)
AP Third Team All-American (08)
AP All-American Honorable Mention (07)
Honda Sports Award (Nation's Top Collegiate Basketball Player) (09)
Francis Pomeroy Naismith Award (Nation's Top Player Under 5'8) (09)
Nancy Lieberman Award (Nation's Top Point Guard) (09)
Lowe's Senior CLASS Award All-Senior First Team (09)
John Wooden All-American (09)
USBWA All-American (09)
Big East Sportsmanship Award (09)
Big East Freshman of the Year (06)
NCAA Tournament All-Regional Team (06,07,08,09)

Milestones:
No.1 Games Played, Career (150)
No.1 Assists, Game (13)
No.2 3-pt FG's Made, Season (99)
No.3 Assists, Career (632)
No.4 Assists, Season (199)
No.4 3-pt FG's Made, Career(254)
No.5 Steals, Career (266)
No.6 Points, Career (1990)
No.7 Points, Season (644)

1 Seed Connecticut Huskies (39-0)

Results: Connecticut 76, Louisville 54
Player of the Game: Jr. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: RJr. SF Kalana Greene
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SG Tiffany Hayes
Stat of the Game: FG%: UConn 50%, Louisville 31%

2008-09 NCAA Women's Basketball National Champions!!!















2009 Final Four Most Outstanding Player:
Jr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut

2009 Final Four All-Tournament Team:
Sr. PG Renee Montgomery, Connecticut
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut
Sr. SF Angel McCoughtry, Louisville
Jr. C Jayne Appel, Stanford

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA Tournament National Championship game vs. 3 Louisville Cardinals.

TV: ESPN & ESPN360.com, 8:30 pm

And they haven't stopped rolling in yet...

The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today that Connecticut's Maya Moore was named winner of the 2008-09 Naismith National Player of the Year Trophy in Women's College Basketball presented by AT&T. The two-time BIG EAST Player of the Year becomes just the sixth student-athlete to win a Naismith Trophy in both high school and college, joining UConn Husky Great Diana Taurasi, Tennessee Trio of Tamika Catchings, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Candace Parker, and Southern California's Lisa Leslie. The Connecticut sophomore from Collins Hill High School in Atlanta, GA won the H.S. prep award in both 2006 and 2007.

Update: UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma has been named the 2008-09 Naismith National Coach of the Year in Women's College Basketball (for a record 6th time).

1 Seed Connecticut Huskies (38-0)

Results: Connecticut 83, Stanford 64
Player of the Game: Sr. PG Renee Montgomery
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. PG Renee Montgomery
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SG Tiffany Hayes
Stat of the Game: Pts Off TO's: UConn 19, Stanford 9

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA Tournament Final 4 game vs. 2 Stanford Cardinal.

TV: ESPN & ESPN360.com, 9:30 pm

Today it was announced that UConn Senior PG Renee Montgomery was named to the 2008-09 Lowe's Senior CLASS All-Senior All America First Team. Oklahoma's Senior C Courtney Paris was awarded the 2008-09 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in Women's Basketball which is given to the women's college basketball’s top NCAA Division I senior student-athlete. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award has grown into the nation’s premier tribute to college seniors. The award identifies personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete with criteria including excellence in the “4 C’s” of classroom, community, character and competition.

2008-09 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Winner:
Sr. C Courtney Paris, Oklahoma

2008-09 Lowe's All Senior All America Teams:
First Team:

Sr. PG Renee Montgomery, Connecticut

Sr. PG Shalee Lehning, Kansas State
Sr. PG Kristi Toliver, Maryland
Sr. C Courtney Paris, Oklahoma
Sr. SF Christina Wirth, Vanderbilt

Second Team:
Sr. SG Koren Schram, Dartmouth
Sr. SG Abby Waner, Duke
Sr. PF Rachel Galligan, Eastern Illinois
Sr. SG Jada Frazier, New Orleans
Sr. SG Takia Starks, Texas A&M

And they haven't stopped rolling in....

Today UConn's So. SF Maya Moore was also named the 2008-09 Associated Press Women's National Player of the Year and UConn's Head Coach Geno Auriemma was named the 2008-09 Associated Press Women's National Coach of the Year. Moore received 37 out of the 45 possible votes (UConn teammate PG Renee Montgomery finished 2nd in the voting with 4 votes) and becomes only the second sophomore to win the award (Oklahoma's Courtney Paris won the award in 2006-07), and Coach Auriemma recieved 27 out of the 45 possible votes (Auburn Head Coach Nell Fortner finished 2nd in the voting with 7 votes) and becomes the first coach to win the award in back to back seasons. This is his sixth AP National Coach of the Year award.

The 2008-09 State Farm All America Team was announced today as well as the recipient of the prestigious 2009 State Farm Wade Trophy. The winner of the Wade Trophy is UConn's Sensational Sophomore Maya Moore. She becomes the first true sophomore to ever win the Wade Trophy, which is the highest player of the year honor in women's college basketball. She becomes the 5th Connecticut player to win the award joining fellow Husky Greats Rebecca Lobo, Jennifer Rizzotti, Sue Bird, and Diana Taurasi. Congratulations Maya, you deserve it!!!!













2008-09 State Farm Wade Trophy Winner:
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut

2008-09 State Farm All America Team:
Sr. SF DeWanna Bonner, Auburn
Jr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
Sr. PG Renee Montgomery, Connecticut
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut
Sr. SF Angel McCoughtry, Louisville
Sr. SF Marissa Coleman, Maryland
Sr. PG Kristi Toliver, Maryland
So. C Jantel Lavendar, Ohio State
Sr. C Courtney Paris, Oklahoma
Jr. C Jayne Appel, Stanford

Keep rollin', rollin', rollin'......

Today UConn Sr. PG Renee Montgomery was named the winner of the 2009 Nancy Lieberman Award. The award recognizes the nation's top collegiate point guard in women's Division I basketball. The criteria for the award are the floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills that personified Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman during her career. Sportswriters from across the country determined the award winner and finalists. The three finalists (in alphabetical order) are: Kristi Cirone (Illinois State), Danielle Robinson (Oklahoma), and Kristi Toliver (Maryland). Montgomery adds her name to the list of outstanding WCBB point guards which includes former UConn Greats Sue Bird (who won the award from 2000 to 2002) and Diana Taurasi (who won the award in 2003 and 2004).

Now they are pouring in....

Today both Renee Montgomery and Maya Moore were named to the 2008-09 John Wooden All America Team. They become the first set of teammates to make the five-player team in its six year history. The 2008-09 John Wooden Award will be awarded to one of the five members of the All America team at the 33rd Annual Wooden Award ceremony which will take place on Friday, April 10 at The Los Angeles Athletic Club in CA.

2008-09 John Wooden All America Team:
Sr. PG Renee Montgomery, Connecticut
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut
Sr. SF Angel McCoughtry, Louisville
Jr. PG Kristi Toliver, Maryland
Sr. C Courtney Paris, Oklahoma

And the awards just keep rolling in...

Today Connecticut's Sophomore Sensation Maya Moore was named the 2008-09 USBWA National Player of the Year while Connecticut's Head Coach Geno Auriemma was named the 2008-09 USBWA Coach of the Year for the 2nd consecutive season (4th overall). Moore and teammate Renee Montgomery were named to the 2008-09 USBWA All America Team. (Again, who is watching the games because Tina Charles is clearly one of the 11 Best in the Nation)

2008-09 USBWA National Player of the Year:
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut
2008-09 USBWA National Coach of the Year:
Geno Auriemma, Connecticut
2008-09 USBWA National Freshman of the Year:
Fr. SG Shekinna Stricklen, Tennessee

2008-09 USBWA All America Team:
Sr. SF DeWanna Bonner, Auburn
Sr. PF Ashley Walker, California
Sr. PG Renee Montgomery, Connecticut
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut
Sr. C Chante Black, Duke
Sr. SF Angel McCoughtry, Louisville
Sr. SF Marissa Coleman, Maryland
Sr. PG Kristi Toliver, Maryland
So. C Jantel Lavender, Ohio State
Sr. C Courtney Paris, Oklahoma
Jr. C Jayne Appel, Stanford

Meet us in St. Louie....













2009 NCAA Women's Final Four here we come!!!!!

National Semifinals:
Sunday, April 5, 2009
1 Oklahoma vs. 3 Louisville, ESPN 7:00 pm
1 Connecticut vs. 2 Stanford, ESPN 9:30 pm

1 Seed Connecticut Huskies (37-0)

Results: Connecticut 83, Arizona State 64
Player of the Game: Sr. PG Renee Montgomery
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. C Tina Charles
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SG Tiffany Hayes
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 45, Arizona State 19

2009 Trenton Regional Champions!!!














2009 Trenton Regional Most Outstanding Player:
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut

2009 Trenton All-Regional Team:
Sr. PG Briann January, Arizona State
RJr. SG Danielle Orsillo, Arizona State
Jr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
Sr. PG Renee Montgomery, Connecticut

For the 2nd consecutive season UConn's Maya Moore was named an AP First Team All-American, but this season she was the only unanimous pick (receiving 225 total votes from the 45-member panel). However, this time she is joined on the First Team by teammate Renee Montgomery. Today both were named to the 2008-09 Associated Press All America Teams along with teammate Tina Charles who was named to the Second Team. Oklahoma's Courtney Paris became the first player in WCBB history to be named to the AP First Team all four seasons of her career. Guess who is trying to become the second???

2008-09 AP All America Teams:
First Team:
Sr. PG Renee Montgomery, Connecticut
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut*
Sr. SF Angel McCoughtry, Louisville
Jr. PG Kristi Toliver, Maryland
Sr. C Courtney Paris, Oklahoma

Second Team:
Sr. SF DeWanna Bonner, Auburn
Jr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
Sr. SF Marissa Coleman, Maryland
So. C Jantel Lavender, Ohio State
Jr. C Jayne Appel, Stanford

Third Team:
Sr. PF Ashley Walker, California
Sr. C Chante Black, Duke
Jr. SF Alyssa Clark, Middle Tennessee State
Sr. SG Shavonte Zellous, Pittsburgh
Jr. SG Epiphanny Prince, Rutgers

* unanimous pick

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game vs. 6 Seed Arizona State Sun Devils (26-8).

TV: ESPN & ESPN360.com, 7:00 pm

1 Seed Connecticut Huskies (36-0)

Results: Connecticut 77, California 53
Player of the Game: Fr. SG Tiffany Hayes
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SG Tiffany Hayes
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SG Tiffany Hayes
Stat of the Game: Turnovers: UConn 7, California 16

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game vs. 4 Seed California Golden Bears (27-6).

TV: ESPN & ESPN360.com, 12:00 pm

Welcome to the 21st Century UConnHuskies.com!!!!!

Finally! I have only been asking for this since I graduated UConn in 2004. At first glance, the site gets TWO THUMBS UP from me. Now they just have to keep it nicely updated (hourly) on ALL the ACTION and NEWS from around the nation on ALL the HUSKY TEAMS. Thank You, UConn!!

Great Recruiting News:

Today UConn received yet another verbal commitment from one of the top junior posts, 6'3 PF Michala Johnson out of Chicago, IL. Ranked No. 19 in the ESPN HoopGurlz Super 60, she is joined in the 2010 Class by 6'1 SF Samarie Walker (No. 2) and 6'5 C Stefanie Dolson (No. 13). Johnson visited the campus a week and a half ago and feel in love. Currently, she is recovery from ACL surgery that she had back at the end of this January after partially tearing her ACL in her left knee. She is expected to be back on the court in November for the start of her senior season. Johnson chose Connecticut over California, DePaul, Duke, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Oklahoma, Penn State, Purdue, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin.

Good Luck on a 100% full recovery and Welcome to Storrs, Michala!!!!!

P.S.--UConn currently has a scholarship offer out to 5'11 SG Lauren Englein of Laguna Hills, CA and an offer is expected for the top point guard (No. 4) in the ESPN HoopGurlz Class of 2010, 5'7 PG Bria Hartley of North Babylon, NY.

1 Seed Connecticut Huskies (35-0)

Results: Connecticut 87, Florida 59
Player of the Game: Sr. PG Renee Montgomery
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SG Tiffany Hayes
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SG Tiffany Hayes
Stat of the Game: 1st Half Fouls: UConn 4, Florida 16

Today Connecticut's All American Trio of Montgomery, Charles, and Moore were among the 12 finalists for the 2008-09 State Farm Wade Trophy announced today by the WBCA. Members of the committee will select the winner of the 2008-09 State Farm Wade Trophy from the 10-member 2008-09 Division I State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team and will be announced at the State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team Press Conference and the State Farm Wade Trophy Announcement during the WBCA National Convention on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at 10:45 am.

The 12 Finalists are:
Sr. SF DeWanna Bonner, Auburn
Sr. PF Ashley Walker, California
Jr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
Sr. PG Renee Montgomery, Connecticut
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut
Sr. SF Angel McCoughtry, Louisville
Sr. SF Marissa Coleman, Maryland
Sr. PG Kristi Toliver, Maryland
So. C Jantel Lavender, Ohio State
Sr. C Courtney Paris, Oklahoma
Jr. C Jayne Appel, Stanford
Jr. SG Monica Wright, Virginia

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA Tournament 2nd Round game vs. 8 Seed Florida Gators (24-7).

TV: ESPN2 & ESPN360.com, 7:00 pm

Today UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma was named the 2008-09 Russell Athletic/WBCA NCAA D-I Coach of the Year for the 2nd straight year (and for the 5th time) after leading his Connecticut Huskies team to a perfect 33-0 record entering the 2009 NCAA Tournament as well as being the Number 1 overall seed. All this after graduating four seniors who saw signifcant minutes during their UConn careers, having the #1 H.S. girls prospect back out of her scholarship two months before the season, and losing starter Fr. SG Caroline Doty for the season (halfway through the regular season) to an ACL injury.

1 Seed Connecticut Huskies (34-0)

Results: Connecticut 104, Vermont 65
Player of the Game: Jr. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: So. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SG Tiffany Hayes
Stat of the Game: A/TO: UConn 27/7, Vermont 16/13

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA Tournament 1st Round game vs. 16 Seed Vermont Catamounts (21-11).

TV: ESPN2 & ESPN360.com, 12:00 pm

Finalists...

Today both UConn Sr. PG Renee Montgomery and So. SF Maya Moore are among the four finalists for the 2008-09 Naismith National Player of the Year Trophy. Louisville’s Sr. SF Angel McCoughtry and Oklahoma’s Sr. C Courtney Paris are the other finalists.

Also, UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma was named one of four finalists for the 2008-09 Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year award. He is joined by Oklahoma’s Sherri Coale, Auburn’s Nell Fortner and South Dakota State’s Aaron Johnston. Auriemma is looking to win the award for the second straight season and for the sixth time in his 24-year tenure with the Huskies.

The winners of both awards will be announced on April 6, 2009, during the WBCA awards luncheon at the 2009 Final Four in St. Louis.

Attention all you DieHard Huskies fans:

There will be FREE open practice sessions for all four teams playing in Storrs on Saturday, March 21st starting with UConn at 12:00 pm in Gampel Pavilion. These are hour long practices available for the public to view free of charge. Go support those Huskies (and Owls)!!!!

The following is the practice schedule:
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – 1 Connecticut
1:05 p.m. to 2:05 p.m. – 16 Vermont
2:10 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. – 8 Florida
3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. – 9 Temple

The UConn Huskies are in Dogged Pursuit of Perfection....Again!!!

The 2009 Women's NCAA Tournament #1 Seeds:

1. Connecticut
(Trenton)
2. Maryland
(Raleigh)
3. Oklahoma
(Oklahoma City)
4. Duke
(Berkeley)

The Overall #1 Seeded UConn Huskies will face 16th seeded Vermont Catamounts on Sun., March 22nd at 12:00 pm on ESPN2 in Storrs, CT.

Just for Fun:

Today UConn's All Everything Maya Moore was named the unanimous 2008-09 ESPN.com National Player of the Year in WCBB and UConn's All American Trio of Renee Montgomery, Tina Charles, and Moore were named to the 10 member All America teams.



The ESPN voters said of Moore:

"And even if it's an unofficial stat, Maya Moore leads the nation in gasps induced," writes ESPN.com columnist Graham Hays. "Moore is the most complete offensive player in the college game, and yet by dint of her defense and work ethic, she could dominate a game without taking a shot -- not that Geno Auriemma would ever let that happen."

"No player does more things great at the most important times as smoothly as Maya Moore. She creates and finishes on equally high levels. Same for the way she shoots and rebounds or defends at the rim and on the perimeter. If she was able to concentrate on one particular area of her game, she'd instantly be the best at it." -- ESPN Bracketologist Charlie Creme

""Moore's sophomore season proved her ability to elevate an already pretty airtight game," ESPN.com columnist Mechelle Voepel writes. "This year, her defense has become even more energized and dynamic, her ability to run the court is sharper, and her leadership skills -- which complement, not compete with, senior Renee Montgomery -- more valuable. The Huskies shook off the decision of prized recruit Elena Delle Donne not to come to UConn. They dealt with the loss of another freshman, Caroline Doty, to a knee injury. They seamlessly replaced the important, if understated, contributions of last season's senior class. And they have answered any and all challenges thus far. Maya Moore's leadership and steady personality are essential to UConn handling all of that."

2008-09 ESPN.com National Player of the Year:
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut*

2008-09 ESPN.com All American First Team:
Sr. PF DeWanna Bonner, Auburn*
Sr. PG Renee Montgomery, Connecticut*
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut*
Sr. SF Angel McCoughtry, Louisville*
Sr. C Courtney Paris, Oklahoma

2008-09 ESPN.com All American Second Team:
Jr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
Sr. SF Marissa Coleman, Maryland
Sr. PG Kristi Toliver, Maryland
Jr. SG Epiphanny Prince, Rutgers
Jr. C Jayne Appel, Stanford

2008-09 ESPN.com All American Honorable Mention:
Sr. PF Ashley Walker, California
Sr. PG Kristi Cirone, Illinois State
So. C Jantel Lavender, Ohio State

Moron Alert:

Today only two of UConn's All American Trio were named finalists for the 2008-09 John R. Wooden Award today that decides the John R. Wooden All American Team and National Player of the Year. UConn's Tina Charles was left OFF the list of 19 candidates which included her teammates Renee Montgomery and Maya Moore. Created in 1976, the John R. Wooden Award is the most prestigious individual honor in college (men's) basketball (for the women its the Wade Trophy). It is bestowed upon the nation's best player at an institution of higher education who has proven to his or her university that he or she is making progress toward graduation and maintaining a cumulative 2.0 GPA. The 2009 Award ceremony, which will include the presentation of the Men's and Women's Wooden Award winners will be hosted by the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Friday, April 10th.

P.S.--If Tina isn't one of the Top 19 female college basketball players in the country then the NBA's All Everything LeBron James (aka King James) must not really be an MVP candidate this year...that's how stupid this omission is...get with it voters and stop looking just at Statistics!!!

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (33-0, 19-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 75, Louisville 36
Player of the Game: So. SF Maya Moore
Defensive Player of the Game: RJr. SF Kalana Greene
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SG Tiffany Hayes
Stat of the Game: 1st Half FG's: UConn 17-29, Louisville 7-28

2009 Big East Tournament Champions!!!



2009 Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player:
So. SF Maya Moore, Connecticut

2009 Big East All Tournament Team:
Jr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
RJr. SF Kalana Greene, Connecticut
Sr. PF Candyce Bingham, Louisville
Sr. SF Angel McCoughtry, Louisville
Sr. SG Shavonte Zellous, Pittsburgh

Game notes (pdf) for today's BE Tournament Championship game vs. 5/5 (2 Seed) Louisville Cardinals (29-3, 16-2 BE).

TV: ESPN & ESPN360.com, 7:00 pm