2/2 Connecticut Huskies (6-0)

Results: Connecticut 101, Colgate 41
Player of the Game: So. G Brianna Banks (20p, 3r, 5a, 4s, 25m)
Def. Player of the Game: Sr. G Kelly Faris (2dr, 3s, 21m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (12p, 8r, 1a, 2s, 2b, 20m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 50, Colgate 2

Summary: If the Big East Most Improved Award was being handed out this week, the clear favorite to win would be UConn's own So. G Brianna Banks. Brianna hit more 3's in today's game (4) than ALL of last season combined (3) and scored a career-high 20pts. off the bench to lead UConn as they easily dominated Colgate, 101-41. Sr. G Kelly Faris came out of the gates firing and boy was she on fire, finishing with season-high 17pts. on 5-6 shooting (3-3 from three), 3rebs., 5asts., and 3 stls. The Huskies dominated in the post finishing with a 50-2 advantage.

KML injury update

So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis will not play today vs Colgate as she recovers from a concussion suffered on Saturday (against Purdue in the Paradise Jam). She continues to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis and according to Geno, she is probable to return Monday vs. Maryland.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Colgate Raiders (2-3).

Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: SNY
Internet: SNY.tv
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

UConn All-American candidate Fr. F Breanna Stewart made the Big East Weekly Honor Roll after averaging 19.0ppg, 6.7rpg and blocking seven shots in a 3-0 week for Connecticut. The Huskies won the Paradise Jam with a victory over No. 12/14 Purdue, led by Stewart’s 17 points. Stewart was named the tournament MVP. Against Marist, she had her first career double-double with 20pts. and 10rebs.

KML injury update

Per @UConnWBB twitter,

So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis will not practice today as she recovers from a concussion suffered on Saturday (against Purdue in the Paradise Jam). She is listed as doubtful to play this Wednesday vs. Colgate and will continued to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (5-0)

Results: Connecticut 91, Purdue 57
Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (17p, 4r, 4a, 3b, 21m)
Def. Player of the Game: So. C Kiah Stokes (3dr, 1s, 3b, 17m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (17p, 4r, 4a, 3b, 21m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. Off TOs: UConn 39, Purdue 13

Summary: UConn All-American candidate Fr. F Breanna Stewart scored 17 points to lead the Huskies to yet another route in the Paradise Jam tournament. This time it was a 91-57 rout of 14/12 Purdue in the championship game. All-American candidate So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis added 15pts. for UConn before leaving with just over 2 minutes left after taking what appeared to be an inadvertent elbow to the head. The defending Big Ten champions were blown out despite shooting 13 of 22 from 3-point range. The Huskies had four players in double figures and dominated inside, outscoring Purdue 46-8 in the paint and blocking seven shots. Stewart was named the 2012 Paradise Jam Tournament MVP (2nd freshman to win, the other Maya Moore) while KML was named to the All-Tournament team. Connecticut has won 49 straight games in regular-season tournaments, dating back to December, 1992 and a loss to Vanderbilt in the Hilton Head Super Shootout.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs 14/12 Purdue Boilermakers (5-0).

Event: 2012 Women's Paradise Jam
Location: St. Thomas Sports and Fitness Center (St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.)
Time: 8:15pm (ET)
TV: SNY
Internet: SNY.tv
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: ESPN Gamecast

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (4-0)

Results: Connecticut 81, Marist 39
Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (20p, 10r, 1b, 22m)
Def. Player of the Game: So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (5dr, 3s, 29m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (20p, 10r, 1b, 22m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 26, Marist 4 

Summary: Four games into the season, and nobody has come within 30 points of Connecticut. UConn All-American candidate Fr. F Breanna Stewart had her first career double-double with 20pts. and 10rebs. as the Huskies continued to roll through the Paradise Jam tournament with a very easy 81-39 win over Marist. All-American candidate So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis added 15pts. for UConn while Sr. G Kelly Faris chipped in 10pts. UConn blew the game open early, holding Marist without a field goal for more than 13 minutes while building a 42-14 halftime lead. Fr. G Moriah Jefferson finished with a career-high 10pts. off the bench.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs Marist Red Foxes (2-2).

Event: 2012 Women's Paradise Jam
Location: St. Thomas Sports and Fitness Center (St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.)
Time: 8:15pm (ET)
TV: SNY
Internet: SNY.tv
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: ESPN Gamecast

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (3-0)

Results: Connecticut 95, Wake Forest 34
Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (20p, 6r, 2s, 3b, 22m)
Def. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (6dr, 2s, 3b, 22m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (20p, 6r, 2s, 3b, 22m)
Stat of the Game: Fast Break Pts.: UConn 27, Wake Forest 7 

Summary: UConn All-American candidates Fr. F Breanna Stewart and So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis scored 20pts. and 16pts. respectively to help the Huskies easily rout Wake Forest 95-34 in the opening game of the Paradise Jam. Fr. F Morgan Tuck added a career-high 16pts. off the bench. UConn dominated from the start, scoring the game's first 12 points and carrying a 45-12 lead into halftime. The Huskies held the Demon Deacons to just four field goals in the first 20 minutes. It took 7 minutes for Wake Forest to hit its first basket and the Demon Deacons missed their last 15 shots from the field in the first half. All-American Jr. G Bria Hartley played in her first game of the season after missing the first two with a sprained left ankle. She had eight points in 15 minutes.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-1).

Event: 2012 Women's Paradise Jam
Location: St. Thomas Sports and Fitness Center (St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.)
Time: 6:00pm (ET)
TV: SNY
Internet: SNY.tv
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: ESPN Gamecast

UConn All-American candidate Fr. F Breanna Stewart was named the Big East Freshman of the Week for the 1st time in her very early career after averaging 16.0 ppg and 5.5 rpg while helping UConn to a 2-0 week including a win at 16/13 Texas A&M. where she had 11pts. and 6rebs. In her debut, Stewart led UConn with 21pts. in a victory against the College of Charleston while adding 5rebs and 4stls.

UConn All-American candidate Jr. C Stefanie Dolson made the Big East Weekly Honor Roll after tying her career-high with 24pts., 6rebs., 5asts. and 3stls. while shooting 73 percent from the floor to lead the Huskies past No. 16/13 Texas A&M on the road. In the season opening win against College of Charleston, she had a near triple-double with 11pts., 9rebs., and a career-high 8asts.

Additional Statistics (G2)

Game 2 (Texas A&M):

		MINS	P/R/A	EFF	P/M
3	Tuck	21	11	2	6
4	Jefferson	21	11	9	14
5	Doty	18	11	7	15
13	Banks	18	5	2	18
23	Mosqueda-Lewis	26	26	21	22
30	Stewart	19	17	11	20
31	Dolson	29	35	31	27
32	Buck	3	2	2	-1
34	Faris	28	18	17	22
41	Stokes	16	9	11	12

Cumulative:

		MINS	P/R/A	EFF	P/M
3	Tuck	21.5	18.0	13.0	22.5
4	Jefferson	22.0	12.0	7.0	26.0
5	Doty	17.0	11.5	8.5	23.0
13	Banks	17.5	10.0	8.5	25.5
23	Mosqueda-Lewis	28.5	28.5	24.5	38.0
30	Stewart	21.0	22.0	19.5	29.0
31	Dolson	27.5	31.5	28.0	44.0
32	Buck	6.0	4.0	3.0	-2.0
34	Faris	26.0	16.0	15.5	30.5
41	Stokes	12.5	7.5	8.5	3.5

P/R/A = Points + Rebounds + Assists totals
EFF = Efficiency Rating [(Pts. + Rebs. + Asts. + Stls. + Blks.) - (FGM + FTM + TOs)]
+/- = Plus/Minus Rating (amount score increases/decreases during time player is on the court)

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (2-0)

Results: Connecticut 81, Texas A&M 50
Player of the Game: Jr. C Stefanie Dolson (24p, 6r, 5a, 3s, 1b, 29m)
Def. Player of the Game: Jr. C Stefanie Dolson (4dr, 3s, 1b, 29m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (11p, 6r, 19m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 42, Texas A&M 12 

Summary: The new and improved Stef Dolson is here and my firends, she is here to stay!! UConn All-American candidate Jr. C Stefanie Dolson was unstoppable in the first half scoring at will in the post (thanks to numerous, on-the-money post-entry feeds from the guards) and off the dribble no matter who was guarding her en route to 20 first-half points. She would finish the game with a career-high tying 24pts. to go along with 6r/5a/3s/1b as UConn used an early 2nd half run to blow out Texas A&M on their homecourt, 81-50. All-American candidates So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Sr. G Kelly Faris were both solid all game adding 16p/5r/5a and 10p/2r/6a, respectively. The Huskies as a team had 27 assists on 32 made baskets and dominated the Aggies in the paint all game long. The frosh struggle in their first true road test of the season especially in the first half, but calmed down in the 2nd to each put up some respectable stats. All-American candidate Fr. F Breanna Stewart shrugged of early foul trouble to finish with 11pts. and 6rebs. including 2 three's early in the 2nd half that helped put the game out of reach for UConn. The Huskies will now head to the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas) for the 2012 Paradise Jam where they will play 3 games in the days starting on Thanksgiving. All-American Jr. G Bria Hartley is still listed as questionable, but has started practicing with the team in little drills.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at 16/13 Texas A&M Aggies.

Location: Reed Arena (College Station, TX) 
Time: 2:30pm (ET)
TV: ESPN2
Internet: ESPN3 (subject to blackout)
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: Aggies.com

Hartley injury update

Per Rich Elliott's UConn Blog,

UConn All-American Jr. G Bria Hartley, as anticipated, will not play at No. 16 Texas A&M this coming Sunday. She will miss her 2nd straight game due to a sprained left ankle. Hartley is listed as questionable for UConn’s game against Wake Forest at the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands Nov. 22. Hartley took another step forward in her recovery today by taking part in shooting drills with the team in practice.

“She did some stuff the last two days and said it felt really good,’’ Auriemma said. “So it feels a lot better than it did Sunday. So that’s a good sign. I’m really, really optimistic. Not about this weekend, but she’ll be back soon.’’

Huskies coach Geno Auriemma said today that Hartley participated in drills on the side Tuesday and Wednesday.

Finally, SOMEONE got it right!

Today all five (eventual) starters for the UConn women’s basketball team were named to the 2012-13 Naismith Women’s Early Season Watch List as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Sr. G Kelly Faris, All-American Jr. G Bria Hartley, Jr. C Stefanie Dolson, So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, and Fr. F Breanna Stewart all earned a spot on the early season list. The Huskies led all schools with their five selections, and I'm guessing no school in the past has ever been able to make this claim. Stewart was the only freshman named to the list while KML was one of only two sophomores. Dolson, Hartley and Mosqueda-Lewis were also named to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top-30 and the Preseason Wade Watch List, while Hartley and Mosqueda-Lewis were selected as Honorable Mention Preseason All-Americans. The 50 player watch list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2012-13 college basketball season. The Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year presented by AT&T will be awarded during the 2013 Final Four on April 8, 2013, in New Orleans, LA.

Note: Finally, after all these years SOMEONE figured out that value isn't just based on points scored and recognized Sr. G Kelly Faris for all her hardwork and all of the contributions she brings to this Husky squad as their clear MVP. Bravo, Atlanta Tipoff Club, you guys/gals definitely got it right!!!

Huskies Ink One

Early this morning, UConn commit Sania Chong officially became a UConn Husky after signing and faxing her Letter of Intent to the UConn AD office. The 75th-rated prospect by ESPN HoopGurlz is the lone member of the future class of 2017. Chong, a 5'9 G from Ossining HS (NY), averaged 33.3ppg, 5.2rpg, 9.7apg, 5.0spg and 1.4bpg last season in leading Ossining to a 23-1 record and its second straight Section 1 Class AA championship. Her team ultimately advanced to the Class AA state semifinals. Through 70 career games at Ossining, Chong has amassed 2,060 points (29.4), 412 rebounds (5.9), 473 assists (6.8) and 362 steals (5.2).

Additional Statistics (G1)

Cumulative/Game 1 (College of Charleston):

		MINS	P/R/A	EFF	+/-
3	Tuck	22	25	24	39
4	Jefferson	23	13	5	38
5	Doty	16	12	10	31
13	Banks	17	15	15	33
23	Mosqueda-Lewis	31	31	28	54
30	Stewart	23	27	28	38
31	Dolson	26	28	25	61
32	Buck	9	6	4	-3
34	Faris	24	14	14	39
41	Stokes	9	6	6	-5

P/R/A = Points + Rebounds + Assists totals
EFF = Efficiency Rating [(Pts. + Rebs. + Asts. + Stls. + Blks.) - (FGM + FTM + TOs)]
+/- = Plus/Minus Rating (amount score increases/decreases during time player is on the court)

Since the UConn stats page doesn't include statistics such as efficiency rating, P/R/A totals, and +/- rating, I will calculate them and post them after each game for all those stats junkies out there.

Additionally, stay tuned for new content as it arrives throughout this entire season.

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (1-0)

Results: Connecticut 103, Charleston 39
Player of the Game: So.W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (19p, 8r, 4a, 5s, 31m)
Def. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (4dr, 4s, 1b, 23m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (21p, 5r, 1a, 4s, 1b, 23m)
Stat of the Game: Fast Break Pts.: UConn 29, Charleston 5

Summary: The highly-touted #1 recruiting class of 2012 finally made their UConn debuts and they did not disappoint!!! Consensus HS Player of the Year and Big East Preseason Freshman of the Year Breanna Stewart got the starting nod and led the way for the Huskies with 21pts., 5rebs., and 4stls while fellow frosh Morgan Tuck and Moriah Jefferson chipped in 15p/6r/4a and 4p/4r/5a, respectively as UConn routed the College of Charleston 103-39. The team was still without All-American Jr. Bria Hartley, but once again managed to break the 100-pt. barrier (3rd straight game). However, the Huskies two other All-American candidates stepped up big time in her absence as Kaleena Mosqueda and Stefanie Dolson each gave their best all-around performances of their careers. KML finished with 19p/8r/4a/5s while Dolson nearly had a triple-double with 11p/9r/8a. UConn assisted on 32 of 42 baskets and shot a blistering 64% from the field and 47% from 3 for the entire game. What is scary is that as a unit they weren't even that cohesive. They all just made a ton of individually brilliant plays within the offensive flow of the game and played stifling defense in the first half. One can only begin to imagine how phenomenal this team will eventually be come March once they've truly had a chance to gel and learn to play with one another.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Charleston Cougars.

Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 1:30pm (ET)
TV: SNY
Internet: SNY.tv
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

The UConn trio of All-American Jr. G Bria Hartley, Jr. C Stefanie Dolson, and So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis were named to the 2012-13 John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top-30 as announced by the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Friday. The list is comprised of 30 student-athletes who, based on last year’s individual performance and team records, are the early front-runners for college basketball’s most prestigious honor. UConn led all schools with 3 selections while the Big East led all conferences with seven selections, followed by the ACC with six, the Big 12 and Big 10 with five each, the SEC, Pac-12 and CAA with two, and the Ivy League with one. Duke C Elizabeth Williams and Mosqueda-Lewis were the only sophomores chosen. This marks the second straight appearance on the preseason list for Dolson and Hartley.

Predictions

Connecticut Record:
37-2, 18-1 (BE)

Big East Standings:
1. Connecticut
2. Louisville
3. Notre Dame
4. Rutgers
5. DePaul
6. Syracuse
7. St. John’s
8. South Florida
9. Georgetown
10. Cincinnati
11. Villanova
12. Marquette
13. Pittsburgh
14. Seton Hall
15. Providence

Big East Awards:
POTY - Sr. G Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame
FOTY - Fr. F Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
COTY - Jeff Walz, Louisville
6th Man - Fr. F Morgan Tuck, Connecticut
MIP - Jr. F Natalie Achonwa, Notre Dame

Big East Tournament Champs:
Connecticut

National Awards:
POTY - Sr. C Brittney Griner, Baylor
FOTY - Fr. F Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
COTY - Jeff Walz, Louisville

WBCA Coaches' All-Americans:
Sr. F Elena Delle Donne, Delaware
Sr. G Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame
Jr. G Chelsea Gray, Duke
Sr. C Brittney Griner, Baylor
Jr. G Bria Hartley, Connecticut
So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Connecticut
Jr. F Chiney Ogwumike, Stanford
Jr. G Odyssey Sims, Baylor
Jr. F Alyssa Thomas, Maryland
So. C Elizabeth Williams, Duke

Honorable Mentions:
Sr. G A'dia Mathies, Kentucky
Jr. G Shoni Shimmel, Louisville
Fr. F Breanna Stewart, Connecticut

Final 4 Teams:
Baylor
Connecticut
Duke
Louisville

National Champion:
Connecticut
(preseason poll results: 27/38 or 71% of you agree with this prediction)

The Freshmen

#4 G Moriah Jefferson

If speed kills, then Mo deserves the electric chair. That's how fast Geno's first-ever recruit from Texas actually is on the court. This lightning-quick guard, is a tornado. And like a tornado, if you misjudge her abilites, she will catch before you could blink and leave you in pieces. Reports say she is a true floor general and is already displaying leadership skills well beyond her years. And with Hartley being out, she may start her first game in a Husky uniform in that PG spot. UConn has lacked a true PG with scoring capabilities since Renee Montgomery's graduation in 2009. If Mo can hit open shots and dribble penetrate to either score or dish with regularity, she and UConn will be unstoppable. And she's just a freshman folks. Wow! Can you imagine with all the talent on this team, if Geno designates her as his starting PG from day 1 and keeps her there even when Hartley returns? He said the next couple of years were going to be special in Storrs, and I'm so sure he's right that I'm already excited to find out just how special they really going to be.

#30 F Breanna Stewart

And speaking of special, I think you'll find the consensus HS POTY and #1 recruit Breanna Stewart's picture listed next to that word in Webster's Dictionary. Already being touted as maybe the best recruit in the history of the UConn program, Stewie, as her teammates call her, isn't taking any praise lightly or for granted. She is here to become the best and work her butt off everyday to get there. She knows she has the chance to leave UConn in the same breath as the long list of Husky Greats that have come before her and she is off to a great start. In just two exhibition games, she has already provided fans and media with plenty of ohs and ahs; from a pull-up 3 on the break to a tip-in around the rim to a nasty block from out of nowhere. Breanna just has that incredible knack for being in the right place at the right time and she can do it all: score from anywhere (inside the arena), handle the ball, pass, defend, block shots, rebound, hit 3's, finish with either hand, create her own shot, and has just about every post move you can think of in her arsenal. If it were up to me, she would start from day 1, but Geno's the expert so I will trust his judgment if she doesn't(but it won't take long if she doesn't...she's just that good). These next four years are going to be out-of-this-world spectacular. So UConn fans all around the world buckle up and get to know #30 fast because they're going to go by in a blur. And I assure you, you won't want to miss a thing.

#3 F Morgan Tuck

Wearing the #3 jersey at UConn comes with a TON of pressure and this frosh is more than ready to take on that challenge. Perhaps the least talked about freshman of the self-proclaimed "Three Musketeers" (a nickname I hate, btw. Come on girls, you can think of something better!!), Morgan Tuck may just turn out to be the best of the 3 in the end. Like her fellow frosh Stewie, she too has the total post arsenal and can step out and hit the 3 easily. Where they differ is in their bodies and comfort zones. While Stewie is a post in a guard's body who loves mixing things up all over the court, Morgan is a post in post's body who loves being in the post while occasionally stepping out to nail a 3. She is strong, physical, confident, and determined. She is also a lot like Kelly Faris in the sense that she won't blow you away in any one particular area, but she just finds a way to get it done, but unlike Kelly, Morgan can flat out score! She'll always fill up the stat sheet and while she may have a quiet game here and there, I don't ever expect her to have a bad one. I also expect Morgan to be a big game player, so be on the look out for increased numbers against ranked foes and when the tournaments come rolling around. She may just be the most competitive person on this team, and if she can infuse that will into her teammates - this team is going to go from very good to ____ (we need to invent a new word for scary) good by March.

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (0-0)

Results: Connecticut 119, Holy Family 50
Player of the Game: So. G Brianna Banks (20p, 5r, 5a, 23m)
Def. Player of the Game: So. C Kiah Stokes (6dr, 1s, 7b, 20m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (21p, 4r, 2a, 2s, 2b, 25m)
Stat of the Game: 3pt. FGs: UConn 18-34, Holy Family 8-21

Summary: Let's face facts people, 18 three's made in one game by 7 different players no matter who the opponent, is just plain sick. Especially when you are playing without your All-American PG Bria Hartley. Without the "eldest" Bree (ankle) for the 2nd game, it was the "other" Bree's, Fr. F Bree Stewart and So. G Bree Banks, who helped UConn pull away late in the 1st half to turn the game into a blowout. Each scored 21 and 20 pts., respectively as the Huskies steam-rolled the Tigers 119-50. Now the team turns its attention to the "real" season as they begin their quest for their 8th NCAA Championship against the College of Charleston on Sun., Nov. 11th at 1:30pm ET on their new network, SNY. Check local listing or subscribe to watch online.

Be sure to tune into SNY’s premiere of Huskies All-Access tomorrow night - Thurs., Nov. 8th at 8pm ET for a behind-the-scenes look at the UConn Women’s Basketball team. Prior to the show, SNY will also preview the season at 7:00pm ET with the UConn Women's Basketball Preview show. This one-hour special will feature Head Coach Geno Auriemma live in-studio along with former UConn greats and current analysts Meghan Culmo and Kara Wolters, play-by-play announcer Andrew Catalon, John Altavilla of the Hartford Courant and host Gary Apple. The show will take an in-depth look at the upcoming season, and include exclusive interviews with players as well as provide analysis of the key storylines and players to watch.

The Sophomores

#13 G Brianna Banks

The coaching staff has raved about the player Brianna Banks has been so far this preseason and that's a great sign. Even Bri, herself, says she's a completely different player from last season after deciding in the offseason that she was going to stop worrying about messing up and just play. Sometimes players are instinctual players rather than IQ players and it would seem that Brianna is just that. Her instincts are what led her to UConn and not using them is what almost led her to leave unexpectedly. So it's great to hear that she didn't give up on herself and instead put in the time and effort necessary to be successful at the nation's top women's basketball program. While I've heard reports that her shooting has improved, I believe it when I see it because last year she couldn't buy one - outside of a lay-up. Offensively, look for her to slowly build on the glimpses of success she showed us last season (i.e. - scoring off fast breaks and beating defenders off the dribble) while hopefully making teams pay this year for leaving her wide open on the perimeter. Defensively is where she will shine the most. She will be the head of our full-court press, play the passing lanes, rack up steals, and try to overtake Faris as the team's best one-on-one stopper.

#23 W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis

"Girl can shoot!" That's what Kaleena has heard all her life and frankly, she's sick of it. Why would a player ever be sick of hearing that compliment, you ask? Because she's driven to be the best and the best do more than just shoot. Kaleena has set out to prove to all the critics out there that she is more than just a lights-out shooter. She wants to be an all-around player who can shoot the lights out! And if her coach knows a thing or two about what he's seen so far this young season (and I'm going to go out a a very short limb and say he does!) then UConn and women's basketball fans everywhere are in for a real treat. Last season's leading scoring (as a freshman, no less), Kaleena is an All-American in waiting and I expect nothing less than that type of play this season (even if the accolades don't follow). I also expect her to lead the team in scoring once again. As a spot-up shooter, she is money from outside at nearly 1 out of every 2, which is phenomenal. If she can start being that accurate when she takes people of the dribble or pulls up for a jumpshot, she will be unstoppable. Rebounding numbers will increase this season as well since she should be more comfortable playing the 4 at times. Getting to the FT line at a much high clip is a must this season especially on plays where she is posting up smaller defenders and/or finishing through contact for And-1's. Her coach also challenged her to get better defensively and so far he likes what he sees.

#41 Kiah Stokes

If Kiah Stokes ever reaches her potential and the physical gifts she was born with, we may be looking at the next Lisa Leslie. That's how much raw talent and skill resides in her bones. She is a shot-blocking machine and with more effort, heart, and desire could become a rebounding machine (ala Tina Charles, Cheryl Ford, or even Courtney Paris). She has the face-up game, the post moves, can finish with either hand, and can take people off the dribble. However, offense will always just be an added bonus from Kiah so long as she's content with it being that way. When your coach was just the head coach of the gold medal winning USA Senior National Women's Basketball Team, and he says you are a player who could average 15/10 a night and you only average just under 5/5 then you are 1) not playing up to your potential (duh!) but 2) going to spend a lot of time in his doghouse. And that my UConn friends is where Kiah is going to spend a lot of time this season if she doesn't (play to her potential). He may go easy on her at first as she has only been cleared to play since August after having offseason foot surgery, but once Big East play rolls around there will be no more Mr. Nice Guy. The parts are all there for Kiah. The wheels are on (the bad one has been fixed), there's fuel in the engine, and the keys are in the ignition. Now it's up to her to start the car and let Geno teach her how to become one of the world's greatest drivers!!

Game notes (pdf) for today's exhibition game vs. 9 Holy Family Tigers (DII).

Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: none
Internet: HuskyVision
Radio: UConn Student Radio
Live Stats: GameTracker

The Juniors

#31 C Stefanie Dolson

There's losing weight and getting into better shape and then there's Stef Dolson. According to Geno, the press, the camera, the fans, and my own godmother/aunt, she is an entirely new person. Stef has transformed herself and her body into a work of art: strength, muscle, and energy. Those who questioned if she could ever play sustained minutes in college have all crawled back under their rocks. The disappointment of the last two Final 4's are fresh in Dolson's mind maybe more than anybody else's on this team. Plagued by foul trouble her freshman year, her team fell behind too far to catch up to Notre Dame even with Magnificent Maya's huge second half, and her coming out party during her sophomore year still wasn't enough to power her team past Notre Dame in to the title game. Stef Dolson is on a mission this season. That mission is UConn's 8th National Championship, and Baylor, Griner, Notre Dame, Diggins, and all the rest of the teams/players out there in the NCAA are going to have to pry it from her cold, dead fingers to get it from her. She can finish with either hand, has face-up ability, and has almost every post move in the book. And now that she finally has talented post players by her side in the paint, she won't be forced to deal with double- & triple-teams on a nightly basis. Look for her to lead the team in FG %, average a career-high in points/rebounds/assists, and be in the discussion for All-American honors come seasons end. She is already the Best Passing Center in the country, but Geno's proclamation of Dolson being the 2nd Best Center in the country from last season is about to come true. He's already warned the officials that they better start treating her better, which must mean he sees it coming as well. So watch out America, Momma Stef is on the prowl.

#14 G Bria Hartley

The lone All-American on the squad is slowly but surely creating her own legacy here at UConn. Fresh off her 3-on-3 Gold Medal, the one missing piece of her Husky legacy is a NCAA Championship and if last year was a sneak preview to just how good Bria Hartley truly is then Huskies fans better buckle up and enjoy the ride she is going to take us and her teammates on this season. Bria lives for the big games, the big moments, and the big shots. Unfortunately, last season it was the big shots that failed her, but 2012-13 is a whole new season and a whole new opportunity to show America what we UConn fans already know...the girl is a BIG TIME!! Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins may get all the pub and the subsequent accolades, but in my opinion, Hartley is better and will show it this season. She can pass, defend, handle the rock, score any way she wants and finish through contact (maybe she'll finally start getting "Diggins" calls). There will be no month-long shooting slump this year. Bottom line, Bria has all the tools of an All-American (which is why she is one). Problem was last year's honors felt more like some of the voters said, "We need to pick a UConn player, I guess we'll go with Bria since she scored a lot in games vs. ranked opponents" rather than all of the voters saying, "Bria Hartley is unquestionably UConn's best player and there aren't 10 players in the country better than her". This season, if her troublesome ankle ever fully heals, she will once again be an All-American. This time though, voters will be unanimous in their opinion and if she is left of the AP 1st team All-American list it will be because of numbers (due to UConn's balance and depth), not value! UConn will go only as far as Bria will take them, and I have no doubt she will do everything in her power to take them to Bourbon Street this year to celebrate #8.