1/1 Connecticut Huskies (21-0, 8-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 98, Pittsburgh 56
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (24p, 9r, 3a, 3b, 27m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (5dr, 3b, 27m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (4p, 5r, 3a, 1s, 20m)
Stat of the Game: FT's: UConn 23-28, Pittsburgh 7-9

Summary: For a team that had only a 1-5 record in the Big East, Pittsburgh put up the points in the first half to maybe hang with UConn by scoring 32pts. Unfortunately for Pitt, UConn scored 57pts. in the first half. Once again, the Huskies had its starters on the bench by the 12min. mark in the second half and yet they still ended up pounding the Panthers, 98-56. Coming in only 17pts. from the 2,000-pt. milestone, All-American Tina Charles reached the mark with 5mins. still to go in the first half on an offensive rebound-putback. She finished the game with 24p/9r/3a/3b in 27mins. Fellow All-American W Maya Moore finished with 22p/7r and tied a career-high with 8asts. in 26mins. Charles becomes the 6th player in UConn history to reach the 2000-pt. plateau. Congratulations, Tina Baby!!!

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Pittsburgh Panthers (12-7, 1-5 BE).

Location: Petersen Events Center (Pittsburgh, PA)
Time: 2:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV (Geno Show, 1pm)
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: Gametracker

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (20-0, 7-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 73, Rutgers 36
Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (19p, 10r, 4a, 3s, 2b, 32m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (8dr, 3s, 2b, 32m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (5p, 3r, 2a, 1s, 21m)
Stat of the Game: Fouls: UConn 11, Rutgers 40 19

Summary: It took a few timeouts for the Huskies to get used to the officials letting almost EVERY foul go uncalled, but when they finally adjusted, it was a blowout by halftime. Led by All-American Maya Moore and Kalana Greene, UConn withstood very whistle-shy officials to more than doubled-up Rutgers in a 73-36 victory. I have never seen so many blatant fouls not get called in one game, especially a UConn-Rutgers match-up. Numerous times Moore and Tina Charles missed lay-ups due to a foul and even had a few made buckets that should have been "And Ones". UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma decided to rest G Caroline Doty and replaced her with freshman G Kelly Faris who turned up the heat quite nicely on defense. The UConn backcourt combined to hold Rutgers' leading scorer Sr. G Brittany Ray to just 3pts. on 1-11 FG shooting (0-5 from 3 and 1-2 from the FT line).

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. ARV Rutgers Scarlet Knights (12-7, 4-1 BE).

Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: CBS College Sports
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: N/A
Live Stats: Gametracker

UConn All-American Jr. W Maya Moore was named Big East Player of the Week for the second time this season and fourth time in her career today after averaging 22.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 4.0apg on 16-26 FG from the field and 9-13 FG from 3 while helping UConn to a 2-0 road record and a 33-pt blowout win over #6/7 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. (Of note, this is the 5th straight week a UConn player has won the BE POW award...that must be a record!!)

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (19-0, 6-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 74, Villanova 35
Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (24p, 8r, 4a, 23m)
Defensive Player of the Game: So. G Caroline Doty (3dr, 2s, 28m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (4p, 1r, 18m)
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 44, Villanova 21

Summary: It was same old, same old against those Villanova Perretta Wildcats. More walking the ball up and draining the shot clock, but with such a young squad they didn't stand a chance against the Machine Huskies. Led by the lights-out shooting of All-American W Maya Moore, UConn blew the game wide open as they held Villanova without a single point for almost 9mins. and easily won 74-35. Moore finished with 24p/8r/4a in 23mins on 10-14FG shooting and 3-4 shooting from 3. Native Philly-girl and UConn Sr. F Meghan Gardler made her first career start in front of her hometown family and friends and finished with 6p/3r/1s in 24mins. Fellow native Philly-girl G Caroline Doty made her debut in front of her hometown family and friends, and even though she struggled shooting the ball (1-8FG shooting), she did a bunch of other things to make the trip a success finishing with 3p/4r/6a/2s in 28mins.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Villanova Wildcats (10-6, 0-4 BE).

Location: The Pavilion (Villanova, PA)
Time: 2:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV (Geno Show, 1pm)
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: Gametracker

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (18-0, 5-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 81, Duke 48
Player of the Game: RSr. W Kalana Greene (18p, 2r, 4a, 1s, 1b, 30m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (11dr, 1b, 31m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Allison Vernerey (Duke) (4p, 3r, 18m)
Stat of the Game: 3-pt. FGs: UConn 13/25, Duke 3/12

Summary: Well Duke hung tough the longest, but in the end UConn just shot the ball way to well for Duke's defense to keep them in it until the end. The Huskies hit more 3's (13) than in their last three games combined (9 total) as they won going away at Cameron Indoor against the #6/7 Blue Devils, 81-48. It was another blowout over a Top 10 team lead by the entire UConn starting 5, who all scored in double figures. Even with All-Americans Tina Charles and Maya Moore only combining for 12pts. and Moore on the bench in foul trouble in the 1st half, they still led 38-28 thanks to Kalana Greene who finished with 18p/2r/4a/1s/1b in 30mins. UConn's starting backcourt of Tiffany Hayes and Caroline Doty also stepped up big and each hitting three 3's and finishing with 13pts. and combining for 7asts. Kaili McLaren and Lorin Dixon gave them solid minutes off the bench as well. Dixon finished the game on the floor with an "and one" three plus the made FT. Overall, Head Coach Geno Auriemma was very pleased with his team's performance especially their response to his halftime speech challenges. The best win this season (IMO)!!!

The most dreaded three letters in all of basketball...

A-C-L

...has struck once again. This time (for the second time) to UConn recruit, Montini Catholic High's 6'3 Sr. F Michala Johnson. Johnson will have surgery the second week in February on her torn ACL and minorly damaged meniscus in her right knee. Johnson missed most of her junior season after tearing her ACL in her left knee. Good luck, Michala on a healthy and complete recovery!!

UConn All-American Sr. C Tina Charles was named Big East Player of the Week for the third straight week and fourth time this season after averaging 23ppg and 12rpg on 17-26FG shooting from the floor 12-14FT shooting from the line while helping UConn to a 2-0 week in the Big East and leading the way for UConn with 23pts. and 13rebs. in the first-ever women's ESPN College GameDay win over previously unbeaten, #3 Notre Dame.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at 6/7 Duke Blue Devils (15-2).

Location: Cameron Indoor Stadium (Durham, NC)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: N/A

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (17-0, 5-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 70, Notre Dame 46
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (23p, 13r, 1a, 1b, 33m)
Defensive Player of the Game: RSr. W Kalana Greene (4dr, 3s, 1b, 31m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Skylar Diggins (ND) (6p, 1r, 2a, 5s, 34m)
Stat of the Game: Assists/FGs: UConn 19/27, Notre Dame 7/18

Summary: Yet another downer! UConn didn't take long to make this game another blowout over a Top 10 opponent as All-American Tina Charles dominated once again for the Huskies as they cruised to victory of the Irish, 70-46. Along with fellow All-American Maya Moore, Charles ended up with another double-double. Both players ended the game with 20-10 efforts; Charles finished with 23p/13r/1a/1b in 33mins and Moore finished with 20p/11r/3a/2b in 31mins. Of note, legendary ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale commentated his first-ever women's basketball game on this historic first-ever women's ESPN College GameDay (pretty cool stuff!!!). Will anyone (not named UConn) in the country please stand up? Maybe Duke? We'll see this Monday down in Cameron Indoor.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 3/3 Notre Dame Fightin' Irish (15-0, 2-0 BE).

Event: (First Ever Women's) ESPN College GameDay
Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 9:00pm (ET)
TV: ESPN (College GameDay Show, 10am & 8pm)
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: Gametracker

UConn officials announced today that Sr. All-American C Tina Charles will become the 2nd active and 12th overall Husky to be inducted into the Huskies of Honor on Saturday, Feb. 13th when UConn hosts St. John's at Gampel Pavilion.

“Tina’s a great kid who’s the kind of kid you want on your team,’’ UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma said. “She is a great teammate, a super human being who I always thought needed a little bit of a kick in the butt every single day at practice to reach her potential. And hopefully she understands and just by (her Huskies of Honor induction) indicates that whether it was the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do she’s going to get exactly what she came to Connecticut for. And she’s going to go down in history as maybe the leading scorer and the leading rebounder maybe in (team history). So if you ask me would I do it any different I would say, `No.’’’

Congratulations Tina!!! You worked very long and hard and you deserve it, girl!!!

The doors open at 7:30am tomorrow morning for history!!!

#1 UConn hosts #3 Notre Dame in the first-ever women's ESPN College GameDay and in a showdown of two highly-ranked unbeaten teams. Scheduled to appear as hosts for the live morning show from Storrs are ESPN personalities Rece Davis, Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis and Doris Burke. Admission and parking (in the South Garage adjacent to Gampel Pavilion) to this event will be free to all fans. The event will include contests, prizes, giveaways and entertainment for fans of all ages. In addition, the first 750 fans in attendance will receive a free GameDay t-shirt.

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (16-0, 4-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 68, Marquette 43
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (23p, 11r, 1a, 2s, 21m)
Defensive Player of the Game: So. G Caroline Doty (2dr, 5s, 31m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (5p, 3r, 1a, 1s, 1b, 21m)
Stat of the Game: Halftime: Tina Charles 20, Marquette 20

Summary: After playing there best game of the season, the Huskies followed up their magnificent performance against UNC with their worst performance of the season on the road against Marquette. All-American Tina Charles dominated once again scoring as many points as Marquette's entire team in the 1st half to led UConn to the rugged victory over the Golden Eagles, 68-43. UConn is now all alone in 2nd place in consecutive wins with 55-straight victories behind UConn's record 70-straight from 2001-03.

UConn's Dynamic Duo of All-Americans were named to the 2009-10 John Wooden Award Midseason Top 20 list today. Sr. C Tina Charles and last year's Wooden Award winner, Jr. W Maya Moore headline the list of 20 candidates who will vie for this year's prestigous award honoring the college basketball legend John R. Wooden. Players not on the midseason list are still eligible for consideration on the final ballot which will be released in mid-March.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Marquette Golden Eagles (11-5, 2-1 BE).

Location: Al McGuire Center (Milwaukee, WI)
Time: 8:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: Gametracker

Today the WNBA announced that the Connecticut Sun have traded G Lindsay Whalen and the #2 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for G Renee Montgomery and the #1 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft. Both players were the #4 overall pick in their respective drafts (Whalen - 2004 and Montgomery - 2009) as well as the star of their college teams for 4 years (Whalen - Minnesota and Montgomery - Connecticut). Seems like a win-win for all parties involved as well as fans in both states. Thank you Roger Griffin and Chris Sienko (aka Mike Thibault)!!!

Stay tuned!!!

HUGE WNBA Trade coming involving the CT Sun and Minn Lynx and the Top 2 picks in the 2010 draft at 3pm ET today...

Hint: I wouldn't be posting this if it didn't involve a UConn player (or two) ;)

UConn All-American Sr. C Tina Charles was named Big East Player of the Week for the second consecutive week and third time this season after averaging 18.7ppg, 8.3rpg, 3.0bpg on 25-35FG shooting from the floor while helping UConn to a 3-0 week and leading the way for UConn with 25pts. and 13rebs. in the dismantling of #7 North Carolina.

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (15-0, 3-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 88, North Carolina 47
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (25p, 13r, 1a, 1b, 28m)
Defensive Player of the Game: RSr. W Kalana Greene (8dr, 3s, 1b, 25m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (6p, 3r, 2a, 1s, 16m)
Stat of the Game: Halftime: Tina Charles 25, UNC 24

Summary: WOW! Yet again, this team never ceases to amaze. Tina Charles The Huskies Charles and Co. put on a clinic in the 1st half against #7 North Carolina and never looked back winning easily 88-47. All-American Tina Charles outscored the Tar Heels all by herself in the 1st half with 25pts. as the Huskies held UNC to 24pts. No one scored in double figures for one of the highest scoring teams in the country for the last decade in women's college basketball. Also, the Huskies superb defense held them under 50pts. for the 1st time since 2004. With their 54th-straight annihilation (all by 10pts. or more, btw), the Huskies are now one win away from sitting all alone in 2nd place for consecutive victories behind UConn's record 70-straight from 2001-03.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 7/7 North Carolina Tar Heels (13-1).

Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 4:00pm (ET)
TV: CBS
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: N/A
Live Stats: Gametracker

Good News:

UConn starting PG, So. G Tiffany Hayes is listed as probable for tomorrow's match-up with #7 UNC.

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (14-0, 3-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 83, Cincinnati 51
Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (25p, 8r, 4a, 2s, 2b, 28m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (4dr, 6b, 26m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (5p, 2r, 4a, 2s, 20m)
Stat of the Game: Blocks: UConn 11, Cincinnati 2

Summary: Former UConn Great Jamelle Elliott returned to Gampel for the first time on the opposing team as the Head Coach of Cincinnati and it was emotional for all. The crowd gave her a standing ovation and she cried. No one was tougher in the post than Jamelle and her team did not disappoint in that department. The Huskies fought off a tough-fighting Bearcats squad to win 83-51. They were led once again by All-Americans Tina Charles and Maya Moore, who combined to go 17 for 21 from the floor and score 42pts. Tiffany Hayes left the game about 3mins. in after suffering a left ankle sprain and did not return. Word from UConn is that she was held out for the remainder of the game for precautionary reasons and is listed as questionable for Saturday's CBS showdown against 7th-ranked North Carolina.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (7-6, 0-1 BE).

Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 7:30pm (ET)
TV: CPTV (Geno Show, 7pm)
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: Gametracker

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (13-0, 2-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 84, South Florida 42
Player of the Game: So. G Tiffany Hayes (22p, 2r, 3a, 1s, 28m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (6dr, 4s, 1b, 28m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Heather Buck (6p, 4r, 1s, 1b, 8m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. Off TOs: UConn 27, South Florida 11

Summary: After a very sloppy and foul-plagued first half which lead to only a 14-pt. lead, UConn turned it up a few knoches to blowout South Florida and win 84-42. Led by Tiffany Hayes' lights out shooting, the Huskies showed not even poor officiating and foul trouble for their two All-Americans can keep an opponent in the game. Hayes finished with 22p/2r/3a/1s in 28mins. and broke out of her 3-pt. shooting slump to go 5 for 9 from deep. Tina Charles, who was scoreless in the first half, woke up at halftime to score all 14 of her pts. and even played all 20mins. in the second half for the 1st time in her career.

UConn All-American Sr. C Tina Charles was named Big East Player of the Week for the second time this season today after averaging 21.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg while shooting 62.5% from the field, and helping UConn to 2-0 record last week including a 78-59 road victory over 12/11 Florida State and a 91-24 road victory against Seton Hall in their Big East season opener.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. South Florida Bulls (9-4, 0-0 BE).

Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: Gametracker

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (12-0, 1-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 91, Seton Hall 24
Player of the Game: Jr. PG Lorin Dixon (6p, 3r, 6a, 3s, 21m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. F Meghan Gardler (6dr, 1s, 1b, 23m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (0p, 2r, 1a, 2s, 17m)
Stat of the Game: Pts.in the Paint: UConn 50, FSU 2

Summary: To say UConn opened Big East play with a bang might be the understatement of the (new) decade. They annihilated Seton Hall only allowing the Pirates to score a whopping 12pts. each half for a very easy 91-24 win. UConn All-Americans Tina Charles and Maya Moore did their thing as UConn coasted to victory. The UConn bench was outstanding today led by Lorin Dixon 6p/3r/6a/3s in 21mins. and Meghan Gardler who finished with a career-high 16pts. and 6r/2a/1s/1b in 23mins.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Seton Hall Pirates (8-5, 0-0 BE).

Location: Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)
Time: 2:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV (Geno Show, 1pm)
Radio: WTIC 96.5 FM
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: N/A