And the awards have started...

Today Connecticut's Super Star Sr. C Tina Charles won her first National Player of the Year award as she was named the 2009-10 USBWA National Player of the Year. Charles and UConn teammate Maya Moore were named to the 2009-10 USBWA All-America Team.

2009-10 USBWA National Player of the Year:
Sr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
2009-10 USBWA National Coach of the Year:
Connie Yori, Nebraska
2009-10 USBWA National Freshman of the Year:
Fr. C Brittney Griner, Baylor

2009-10 USBWA All-America Team:
Sr. C Jayne Appel, Stanford
Sr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
Sr. F Alysha Clark, Middle Tenn State
Jr. F Victoria Dunlap, Kentucky
Sr. F Kelsey Griffin, Nebraska
Jr. C Jantel Lavender, Ohio State
Jr. W Maya Moore, Connecticut
So. F Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Stanford
Jr. G Jasmine Thomas, Duke 
Sr. G Monica Wright, Virginia

San Antonio here we come....

Party on the RiverWalk @ the 2010 NCAA Women's Final Four!!!

National Semifinals:
Sunday, April 4, 2010

1 Stanford vs. 3 Oklahoma, ESPN 7:00 pm
1 Connecticut vs. 4 Baylor, ESPN 9:30 pm

1-seed (1/1) Connecticut Huskies (37-0, 19-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 90, Florida State 50
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (20p, 14r, 3a, 4b, 28m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (9dr, 4b, 28m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (4p, 3r, 4a, 3s, 18m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 38, FSU 14

It's Unanimous...

For the 3rd consecutive season UConn's Maya Moore was named an AP First Team All-American, and for the 2nd year in a row she was a unanimous pick (receiving all 200 total votes from the 40-member panel). However, this time she wasn't the only unanimous pick as she was joined on the First Team by unanimous selection and UConn teammate Tina Charles. Today both were named to the 2009-10 Associated Press All-America Teams along with teammate Kalana Greene who was named All-American Honorable Mention.

2009-10 AP All America Teams:
First Team:
Sr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut*
Sr. F Kelsey Griffin, Nebraska
Jr. C Jantel Lavendar, Ohio State
Jr. W Maya Moore, Connecticut*
Sr. G Monica Wright, Virginia 

Second Team:
Sr. C Jayne Appel, Stanford
Sr. F Alysha Clark, Middle Tenn State
Fr. C Brittney Griner, Baylor
So. F Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Stanford
Sr. G Andrea Riley, Oklahoma State

Third Team:
Fr. F Elena Delle Donne, Delaware
Jr. F Victoria Dunlap, Kentucky
Sr. F Amber Harris, Xavier
Jr. G Danielle Robinson, Oklahoma
Jr. G Jasmine Thomas, Duke

* unanimous pick

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA Elite 8 game vs. 3-seed (11/11) Florida State Seminoles (29-5).

Event: 2010 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
Location: UD Arena (Dayton, OH)
Time: 7:04pm (ET)
TV: ESPN
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: Gametracker

1-seed (1/1) Connecticut Huskies (36-0, 19-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 74, Iowa State 36
Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (25p, 6r, 3a, 3s, 20m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (2dr, 1s, 2b, 21m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (16p, 4r, 2a, 1s, 2b, 21m)
Stat of the Game: Fast Break Pts.: UConn 20, Iowa State 0

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA Sweet 16 game vs. 4-seed (16/16) Iowa State Cyclones (25-7).

Event: 2010 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
Location: UD Arena (Dayton, OH)
Time: 12:04pm (ET)
TV: ESPN
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: Gametracker

Great Recruiting News!!!

Today 5'9 Jr. G Brianna Banks (Newnan, GA) verbally committed to the Huskies becoming the 2nd member of next year's class. Banks is the 28th-ranked player (overall) and 7th-ranked guard by HoopGurlz.  Banks received a scholarship offer a few weeks ago while on an unofficial visit to campus and chose UConn over LSU. Welcome to Storrs, Brianna!!

1-seed (1/1) Connecticut Huskies (35-0, 19-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 90, Temple 36
Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (19p, 5r, 3a, 2s, 16m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (8dr, 1s, 2b, 24m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (13p, 10r, 2a, 1s, 2b, 24m)
Stat of the Game: Blocks: UConn 11, Temple 0

Today UConn All-Americans Sr. C Tina Charles and Jr. W Maya Moore were among the 12 finalists for the 2009-10 State Farm Wade Trophy announced today by the WBCA. Moore was last year's winner of the Top-WCBB award. Members of the committee will select the winner of the 2009-10 State Farm Wade Trophy from the 10-member 2009-10 D-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 3, 2009.

2009-10 State Farm Wade Trophy Finalists:
Sr. C Jayne Appel, Stanford
Sr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
Sr. F Alysha Clark, Middle Tenn State
Sr. F Kelsey Griffin, Nebraska
Jr. C Jantel Lavender, Ohio State
Jr. W Maya Moore, Connecticut
So. F Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Stanford University
So. G Samantha Prahalis, Ohio State
Jr. G Danielle Robinson, Oklahoma
Jr. G Jasmine Thomas, Duke
Jr. G Courtney Vandersloot, Gonzaga
Sr. G Monica Wright, Virginia

UConn All-American Sr. C Tina Charles has been named one of 14 semifinalists for the 2009 AAU Sullivan award. The James E. Sullivan Award is known as the “Oscar” of sports awards and honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. The list also includes Alabama running back and Heisman Trophy-winner, Mark Ingram as well as Penn State volleyball star, Megan Hodge. On-line voting begins today at the USA Today Sports' homepage. Finalists will be announced on or before April 2.

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA 2nd-Rd game vs. 8-seed Temple Owls (25-8).

Event: 2010 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
Location: Ted Constant Convention Center (Norfolk, VA)
Time: 7:06pm (ET)
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: Gametracker

Naismith Finalists...

Today UConn All-Americans Sr. C Tina Charles and Jr. W Maya Moore are among the four finalists for the 2009-10 Naismith National Player of the Year Trophy. Moore was last year's winner of the prestigous Naismith Award. They are joined by Stanford’s Jayne Appel and Nebraska’s Kelsey Griffin.
Fans will be able to text their votes for the player of their choice by texting “VOTE’’ to 345345 beginning March 21. The voting will end at 11:59 p.m. April 3. Fans are allowed one vote per 24-hour period.

Also, UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma was named one of four finalists for the 2009-10 Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year award. He is joined by Tennessee’s Pat Summitt, Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer and Nebraska’s Connie Yori. Auriemma is looking to win the award for the third straight season and for the seventh time in his 25-year tenure with the Huskies.

The winners of both awards will be announced on April 5, 2010, during the WBCA awards luncheon at the 2010 Final Four in San Antonio.

1-seed (1/1) Connecticut Huskies (34-0, 19-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 95, Southern 39
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (22p, 11r, 2a, 3b, 27m)
Defensive Player of the Game: RSr. W Kalana Greene (7dr, 5s, 30m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (4p, 4r, 1s, 1b, 17m)
Stat of the Game: Free Throws: UConn 22-26, Southern 4-7

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA 1st-Rd game vs. 16-seed Southern Jaguars (23-8).

Event: 2010 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
Location: Ted Constant Convention Center (Norfolk, VA)
Time: 12:16pm (ET)
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: Gametracker

The 2010 Women's NCAA Tournament #1 Seeds:

1a. Connecticut
(Dayton)
1b. Stanford
(Sacramento)
1c. Nebraska
(Kansas City)
1d. Tennessee
(Memphis)


The (overall) 1-seed Connecticut Huskies will face 16-seed Southern Jaguars on Sun., March 21st at 12:16 pm ET on ESPN2 in Norfolk, VA.

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

Results: Connecticut 60, West Virginia 32
Player of the Game: RSr. W Kalana Greene (15p, 12r, 3a, 1s, 35m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (7dr, 4b, 36m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (4p, 5r, 1a, 26m)
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 54, WVU 26

2010 Big East Tournament Champions!!!

2010 Big East Tournament Most Valuable Player:
RSr. W Kalana Greene, Connecticut

2010 Big East All-Tournament Team:
Sr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
Fr. G Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame
Jr. G Sarah Miles, West Virginia
Jr. W Maya Moore, Connecticut
Jr. G Liz Ripella, West Virginia

Summary: It wasn't pretty (at all), but thankfully Kalana Greene stepped up when UConn All-Americans Tina Charles and Maya Moore both struggled badly on the offensive end of the floor. Greene led the way for the Huskies with 15p/12r/3a/1s in 35mins as UConn stiffled West Virginia 60-32 to win its 16th overall (& 3rd straight) Big East Tournament Title. Tiffany Hayes also stepped up big to help Greene pull away from the Mountaineers in the 2nd half finishing with 15p/7r/2a/2s in 33mins. Special kudos to Caroline Doty, who toughed out 16mins. after taking a knee to the back of the head in last night's game against Notre Dame.

Game notes (pdf) for today's BET Championship game vs. 2-seed (9/8) West Virginia Mountaineers (28-4, 15-3 BE).

Event: 2010 Big East Tournament
Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: ESPN
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: BET Live Stats

1-seed (1/1) Connecticut Huskies (32-0, 18-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 59, Notre Dame 44
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (16p, 17r, 1a, 4b, 38m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (12dr, 4b, 38m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Skylar Diggins (ND) (10p, 3r, 2a, 3s, 33m)
Stat of the Game: Fast Break Pts.: UConn 14, Notre Dame 2

Summary: And the (old) record I personally witnessed from the sidelines as a UConn cheerleader from 2001-03 is now gone! Seven years later, the 2009-10 UConn Huskies have broken the NCAA D-1 record for consecutive victories (a record UConn held) with its 71st-straight win with a hard-fought victory over Notre Dame, 59-44. Congratulations, UConn! It is quite impressive especially when you think that all 71 victories have been by 10pts. or more and the average margin of victory is 32.5ppg (& over 25.5ppg vs. ranked opponents). This team is just flat out been dominate so far in their quest to play the "perfect" game.

Game notes (pdf) for today's BET Semifinal game vs. 5-seed (6/7) Notre Dame Fightin' Irish (27-4, 14-4 BE).

Event: 2010 Big East Tournament
Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 6:00pm (ET)
TV: ESPNU
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: BET Live Stats

1-seed (1/1) Connecticut Huskies (31-0, 17-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 77, Syracuse 41
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (34p, 6r, 1a, 1s, 5b, 28m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (11dr, 5s, 1b, 25m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (4p, 5r, 2a, 2s, 16m)
Stat of the Game: Fast Break Pts.: UConn 28, Syracuse 6

Summary: UConn All-American Maya Moore become the 7th (& fastest) player in UConn history to break the 2000th-pt. mark (in a record 108 games) as UConn easily ran away from Syracuse to win 77-41. Moore flirted with a triple-double finishing with 16p/14r/7a/5s in only 25mins. UConn All-American and newly crowned Big East POTY Tina Charles tied her career-high with 34pts. as UConn tied its own NCAA D-1 record for consecutive victories with 70-straight wins.

Game notes (pdf) for today's BET Quarterfinal game vs. 9-seed Syracuse Orange (22-9, 9-9 BE).

Event: 2010 Big East Tournament
Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 2:30pm (ET)
TV: ESPNU
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: BET Live Stats

The second half of the 2009-10 Big East Awards (aka the major awards) were announced today at a news conference. The nations #1 and undefeated team almost sweep today's awards. UConn All-Americans Sr. Tina Charles and Jr. Maya Moore were named 2009-10 Big East Player of the Year and 2009-10 Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year, respectively. UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma picked up another COTY award as he was again named 2009-10 Big East Coach of the Year.

2009-10 Big East Player of the Year:
Sr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut

2009-10 Big East Freshman of the Year:
Fr. G Ta'Shauna "Sugar" Rodgers, Georgetown

2009-10 Big East Co-Coaches of the Year:
Geno Auriemma, Connecticut and Mike Carey, West Virginia

2009-10 Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year:
Jr. W Maya Moore, Connecticut

The first half of the 2009-10 Big East Awards were announced today through press release (the major awards will be announced tomorrow at a 5pm news conference at the Big East Tournament).

2009-10 Big East Defensive Player of the Year
Jr. G Sarah Miles, West Virginia

2009-10 Big East Most Improved Player Award 
So. F Monique Reid, Louisville

2009-10 Big East Sportsmanship Award
Sr. G Maria Getty, Villanova

2009-10 Big East Sixth Man Award
RFr. F Laura Sweeney, Villanova

2009-10 All-Big East Teams:
First Team:
Sr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut*
Sr. W Kalana Greene, Connecticut
Sr. C Jessica Lawson, South Florida
Sr. G Chelsea Marandola, Providence
Sr. W Nicole Michael, Syracuse
Jr. W Maya Moore, Connecticut*
So. F Monique Reid, Louisville
Jr. G Liz Repella, West Virginia
Fr. G Ta'Shauna "Sugar" Rodgers, Georgetown
Sr. W Lindsay Schrader, Notre Dame
So. F Da'Shena Stevens, St. John's

Second Team:
Sr. G Ashley Barlow, Notre Dame
Fr. G Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame
So. F Keisha Hampton, DePaul
So. G Tiffany Hayes, Connecticut
Jr. G Monica McNutt, Georgetown
Jr. G Sarah Miles, West Virginia
Jr. G Sam Quigley, DePaul
Sr. G Brittany Ray, Rutgers
Jr. G Angel Robinson, Marquette
Sr. G Kahla Roudebush, Cincinnati

Honorable Mention:
Jr. W Korinne Campbell, West Virginia
Jr. F Chelsea Cole, Pittsburgh
Sr. G Maria Getty, Villanova
RJr. G Jania Sims, Pittsburgh

Freshmen:
Fr. C Kayla Alexander, Syracuse
Fr. C Asya Bussie, West Virginia*
Fr. G Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame*
Fr. G Kelly Faris, Connecticut
Fr. F Katherine Harry, DePaul*
Fr. G Nadirah McKenith, St. John's
Fr. G Ta'Shauna "Sugar" Rodgers, Georgetown*
Fr. W KaNeisha Saunders, South Florida
Fr. F Sarina Simmons, Marquette
Fr. G Shenneika Smith, St. John's*
RFr. F Laura Sweeney, Villanova
Fr. G Carmen Tyson-Thomas, Syracuse

* - unanimous selection

The U.S. Women's Basketball Senior National Team is starting to look like the UConn All-Stars. Today UConn All-Americans Sr. C Tina Charles and Jr. W Maya Moore were among the 12 players added to the national team pool. Joining them were UConn alums Swin Cash, Asjha Jones and Renee Montgomery. Olympic gold medalists Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird were already part of the national pool, totaling seven of 20 players with Connecticut ties. These 20 players are eligible to be selected to the SNT for the upcoming 2010 World Championships this September in Czech Republic. Alana Beard, Shameka Christon, Candice Dupree, Lindsey Harding, Angel McCoughtry, Lindsay Whalen and Candice Wiggins also were added to the camp roster which already includes Seimone Augustus, Tamika Catchings, Sylvia Fowles, Kara Lawson, Candace Parker, and Cappie Pondexter.

UConn All-American Sr. C Tina Charles was named Big East Player of the Week for the sixth time this season after averaging 18.0ppg, 9.3rpg, and 3.0bpg while helping UConn to a 3-0 week in the Big East and leading the way for UConn against 11/12 Georgetown with season-high 33pts. and 15 rebs. as UConn clinched its 4th straight & 18th overall Big East Regular Season Title. Monday at 6/8 Notre Dame, Charles also became UConn's All-Time Leading Scorer and Rebounder. 

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (30-0, 16-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 76, Notre Dame 51
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (18p, 8r, 2a, 1s, 1b, 37m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (8dr, 5s, 2b, 33m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (3p, 2r, 4a, 1b, 11m)
Stat of the Game: Starters Points: UConn 71, Notre Dame 20

Summary: Nothing more to say except WOW!! Another Top 10 team (and on the road) and another blowout win!! Led once again by All-Americans Tina Charles and Maya Moore, UConn disposed of Notre Dame, 76-51, in front of another opponent's sold out home crowd like it was nothing. Congrats, Tina Baby...UConn's All-Time Leading Scorer and Rebounder...see hard work and determination really do pay off and no one deserves the praise more than you this year...you are definitely my choice as 2009-10 Big East POTY as well as 2009-10 National POTY...you have certainly earned it!! The Huskies will open up 2009-10 Big East Tournament play Sunday at 2:30pm (ET) on ESPNU against the winner of the Seton Hall/Providence/Syracuse bracket.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at 6/8 Notre Dame Fightin' Irish (25-3, 12-3 BE).

Location: Joyce Center (South Bend, IN)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: Gametracker