Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA tourney game vs. 9 Wisconsin Green Bay Phoenix.

1 Connecticut Huskies (30-3)

Results: Connecticut 82, Maryland BC 33
Player of the Game: Jr. PF Charde Houston
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. PF Charde Houston
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Bench Pts. - UConn 23, UMBC 3

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA tourney game vs. 16 Maryland BC Retrievers.

UConn signee Maya Moore picked up her 2nd straight Naismith National H.S. Player of the Year honor today. Over the weekend, Moore lead her #1 Collins Hill H.S. team to their 3rd consecutive Georgia 5A state title, to a perfect 31-0 team, and to Full Court Press' (mythical) 2007 National Championship.

The 2007 Women's NCAA Tournament #1 Seeds:

1. Duke
2. Tennessee
3. North Carolina
4. Connecticut

UConn will face 16th seeded Maryland BC.

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (29-3, 18-1 BE)

Results: Rutgers 55, Connecticut 47
Player of the Game: Jr. SF Essence Carson
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. SF Essence Carson
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SG Epiphanny Prince
Stat of the Game: Points Off TO's - Rutgers 23, UConn 7

Game notes (pdf) for today's BE tourney game vs. 19/19 Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

3/2 Connecticut Huskies (29-2, 18-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 76, Louisville 50
Player of the Game: So. SF Kalana Greene
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. PF Charde Houston
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Points in the Paint - UConn 46, Louisville 26

Game notes (pdf) for today's BE tourney game vs. 21/20 Louisville Cardinals.

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (28-2, 17-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 74, South Florida 54
Player of the Game: Jr. PF Charde Houston
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Points in the Paint - UConn 42, USF 18

Game notes (pdf) for today's BE tourney game vs. South Florida Bulls.

The 2006-07 Big East awards were handed out tonight at the Big East banquet:

BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR - So. SF Angel McCoughtry, Louisville
BIG EAST FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR - Fr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
BIG EAST COACH OF THE YEAR - Terri Mitchell, Marquette
BIG EAST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Jr. SF Essence Carson, Rutgers
BIG EAST MOST IMPROVED PLAYER - So. SG Shavonte Zellous, Pittsburgh
BIG EAST SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD - Sr. SG Jenna Rubino, DePaul
BIG EAST/AÉROPOSTALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE - Sr. SG Jenna Rubino, DePaul

ALL BIG EAST 1st Team:
So. PG Renee Montgomery, Connecticut

ALL BIG EAST 2nd Team:
Fr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
So. SF Kalana Greene, Connecticut
Jr. PF Charde Houston, Connecticut

ALL BIG EAST Freshmen Team:
Fr. C Tina Charles, Connecticut
Fr. PF Kaili McLaren, Connecticut

In recruiting news, UConn received its 2nd verbal commitment today from 5'11 SG Tiffany Hayes from Winter Haven H.S. in Florida. Those who watched the T-Mobile Invitational to watch UConn-signee POTY Maya Moore saw Hayes light it up for 15th-ranked Winter Haven as they almost narrowly pulled off the upset (if not for the late-game heroics from Moore) of Collins Hill 60-58.

Charles was named Big East Freshman of the Week today after averaging 20.7 ppg, 11.0 rpg, and 2.3 bpg and helping UConn to a 3-0 record last week.

UConn routed Rutgers last night at the RAC, winning 70-44 to finish undefeated in the Big East at 16-0. (Geno's Big East POTY non-pick) Montgomery put on a (My POTY) Harding-like performance, hitting big shot after big shot to push the lead to its eventual 26-point margin. Thomas finally showed up and showed up BIG against a tough-defensive-ranked opponent (on the road) going 4-5 from 3-point range. The Big East Champions will now be the #1 seed in the Big East Tournament and play the winner of Sat.'s South Florida/Seton Hall game on Sun. at 2pm.

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (27-2, 16-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 70, Rutgers 44
Player of the Game: So. PG Renee Montgomery
Defensive Player of the Game: So. PG Renee Montgomery
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: FG % - UConn 54.3%, Rutgers 29.4%

BIG EAST REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONS!!!!

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at 22/18 Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (26-2, 15-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 92, Villanova 49
Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. PG Ketia Swanier
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: TO's - UConn 6, Villanova 14

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Villanova Wildcats.

3/3 Connecticut Huskies (25-2, 14-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 81, South Florida 67
Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: So. SF Kalana Greene
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Points in the Paint - UConn 54, USF 28

*Delayed b/c I went to the game in Tampa

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at South Florida Bulls.

Houston was named Big East Player of the Week today after averaging 21.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 3.5 apg, 5.5 spg, and 2.5 bpg and helping UConn to a 2-0 record last week.

Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird are two of the first six female basketball players ever featured in an NBA video game called NBA Street Homecourt 2007. Also featured are Lauren Jackson, Tamika Catchings, Lisa Leslie, and Sheryl Swoopes.

4/5 Connecticut Huskies (24-2, 13-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 82, Pittsburgh 68
Player of the Game: Jr. PF Charde Houston
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. PF Charde Houston
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: 2nd Chance Points - UConn 26, Pitt 12

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Pittsburgh Panthers.

UConn-bound Maya Moore was named today the WBCA National H.S. Player of the Year and to the WBCA H.S. All-American game along with fellow UConn recruit Lorin Dixon. Both players also were named the the McDonald's H.S. All-American game.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

4/5 Connecticut Huskies (23-2, 12-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 84, Louisville 56
Player of the Game: Jr. PF Charde Houston
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. PF Charde Houston
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Points Off TO's - UConn 34, Louisville 14

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 16/20 Louisville Cardinals.

Charles was named Big East Freshman of the Week today after averaging 16.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, and 4.0 bpg and helping UConn to a 2-0 record last week.

4/5 Connecticut Huskies (22-2, 11-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 72, Louisiana State 71
Player of the Game: So. PG Renee Montgomery
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: 3 Pt FG% - UConn 53%, LSU 50%

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at 7/7 Louisiana State Tigers.

4/5 Connecticut Huskies (21-2, 11-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 60, Rutgers 50
Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: So. PG Renee Montgomery
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Points Off TO's - UConn 19, Rutgers 6

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 23/22 Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Charles was named Big East Freshman of the Week today after averaging 13 ppg and 11 rpg and helping UConn to a 2-0 record last week.

5/6 Connecticut Huskies (20-2, 10-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 52, Marquette 48
Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Points Off TO's - UConn 22, Marquette 13

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at 18/16 Marquette Golden Eagles.

5/6 Connecticut Huskies (19-2, 9-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 70, Cincinnati 60
Player of the Game: So. SF Kalana Greene
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. PF Kaili McLaren
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. PF Kaili McLaren
Stat of the Game: Rebounds - Cincinnati 38, UConn 36

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Cincinnati Bearcats.

Sorry there haven't been any commentary posts in a few weeks...i'm in the process of moving to FL...the move will be complete in one week...

P.S.--thank God for CPTV hoop streams and DSL internet

Greene was named Big East Player of the Week today after averaging 17.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.0 spg, and 1.0 bpg and helping UConn to a 2-0 record last week.

5/7 Connecticut Huskies (18-2, 8-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 64, Notre Dame 47
Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Blocks - UConn 16, Notre Dame 3

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

5/7 Connecticut Huskies (17-2, 7-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 88, DePaul 76
Player of the Game: So. SF Kalana Greene
Defensive Player of the Game: So. SF Kalana Greene
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Free Throws A/M - UConn 19-27, DePaul 3-6

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. DePaul Blue Demons.

Charles was named Big East Freshman of the Week today after averaging 14 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 1.0 bpg and helping UConn to a 2-1 record last week.

5/6 Connecticut Huskies (16-2, 6-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 84, St. John's 63
Player of the Game: Jr. Ketia Swanier
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. PF Charde Houston
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Blocks - UConn 6, St. John's 0

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at St. John's Red Storm.

5/6 Connecticut Huskies (15-2, 5-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 96, Providence 53
Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: So. PG Renee Montgomery
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Points in the Paint - UConn 54, Providence 26

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Providence Friars.

5/6 Connecticut Huskies (14-2, 4-0 BE)

Results: North Carolina 82, Connecticut 76
Player of the Game: Jr. PF Erlana Larkins
Defensive Player of the Game: So. SF Kalana Greene
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Rebounds - UNC 46, UConn 32

Charles was named Big East Freshman of the Week today after averaging 17 ppg, 15.5 rpg, and 3.5 bpg and helping UConn to a 2-0 record last week.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at 2/2 North Carolina Tar Heels.

5/7 Connecticut Huskies (14-1, 4-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 76, Syracuse 45
Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Pts. off TO's - UConn 28, Seton Hall 5

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Syracuse Orange.

5/7 Connecticut Huskies (13-1, 3-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 106, Seton Hall 58
Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Fast Break Pts. - UConn 41, Seton Hall 8

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Seton Hall Pirates.

5/5 Connecticut Huskies (12-1)

Results: Tennessee 70, Connecticut 64
Player of the Game: So. PF Candace Parker
Defensive Player of the Game: So. PF Candace Parker
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. PF Kaili McLaren
Stat of the Game: Points off TO's Tennessee 22, UConn 12

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 4/4 Tennessee Lady Volunteers.

In recruiting news, Top 25 national and in-state CTPOY recruit 6'4 C Heather Buck is a once-in-a-lifetime player, person according to those around her. Her list of schools of interest include UConn, Duke, Notre Dame, and Michigan State.

UConn vs. Tennessee...its a rivalry even TV views as the best...at least in ALL of women's sports. The CT post looks inside the rivalry, at head to head meetings, and Thomas' shooting slump. The game Saturday will bring two former teammates friends back on the court together and bonds the two schools (more than they'd ever like to admit).

After having yesterday off, the Huskies prep for the Lady Vols beginning in practice today. A good sign for UConn is the play of Houston on Tuesday night since she is a key for their offense on Saturday. Rebounding and physical intensity has Summitt wary, but Tennessee is taller at almost every position...so that might not be such a problem from them. One thing all the Huskies need to do as a team Saturday is get a good start, or they may find themselves in a big hole they might never be able to get out of. Tennessee has now won 2 in a row against UConn and will be looking to remain undefeated against us in the post-Taurasi era. We have the personnel to put a stop to their little streak, but everyone needs to bring their 'A' game, hit shots, not turn the ball over, stay out of foul trouble, and obviously be/get/stay healthy. Speaking of healthy, there is no word yet on the status of Hunter, who will be needed to calm the nerves of our first year posts.

Last night, UConn scrapped its way to a win over the quick, physical Mountaineers. Led by Houston, Greene, and Charles, the Huskies put together another late-1st half run that put the game away as UConn toppled West Virginia 63-44. Houston broke out of her mini-slump to find a rhythm and finish with 16 pts. and 9 rebs. while Greene burnt them with the same back door play 3 times to finish with 15 pts. and 9 rebs. Charles came off the bench to finish with another double-double (this time against a good center and defender...Sanni) 13 pts., 12 rebs., and 2 blks. The turnover prone Huskies used a 25-6 run to end the first half, but managed to score only 23 pts. the entire 2nd half.

They now turn their sole attention to Tennessee for Saturday's annual grudge-match and hope to finally have a healthy Hunter back on the court to help in the middle. WVU coach Carey says UConn is more physical than Tennessee but they have more 3-pt shooters, and we should continue to kick it inside and try to get Parker in foul trouble...I have a feeling it will end up being the typical UC-UT game where nothing happens or goes how it was supposed to based on the scouting report.

Future Husky Maya Moore is Sports Illustrated.com's Primetime Performer for December 2006.

5/5 Connecticut Huskies (12-0, 2-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 63, West Virginia 44
Player of the Game: Jr. PF Charde Houston
Defensive Player of the Game: So. SF Kalana Greene
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Fast Break Pts. UConn 2, WVU 0

McLaren was named Big East Freshman of the Week today after averaging 10.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, and 3 bbg and helping UConn to a 2-0 record last week.

UConn heads to Morgantown today to take on the Mountaineers. In what will be her homecoming, Montgomery is happy to be coming home. While her partner in crime, Swanier, is confident and no longer just a back-up. Geno had hoped for tonight to be the return of Hunter, but with her knee still bothering her yesterday she didn't participate in practice and is now questionable for the game. He is also hoping the fog lifts tonight on Houston, who has seemingly disappeared in the offense since the return from exam break.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at West Virginia Mountaineers.

Yesterday, the Huskies gave their coach an end of the year gift...heartfelt no. 600 in the win column. They even showed their feelings for their coach after the game by spelling out CONGRATS 600! on each player. Led by freshmen posts McLaren and Charles (both had double-doubles), as UConn rolled over Sacred Heart going away 82-40. McLaren made her 1st career start finishing with career highs in pts. (14), rebs. (15), and mins. (27). 600 came easy for Geno as he pushed all the right buttons for his two HS All-Americans. Geno becomes the fastest coach in women's Div. 1 history to reach 600 wins club.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Congratulations Geno on 600 WINS!!!

5/5 Connecticut Huskies (11-0)

Results: Connecticut 82, Sacred Heart 40
Player of the Game: Fr. PF Kaili McLaren
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. PG Ketia Swanier
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. PF Kaili McLaren
Stat of the Game: Rebounds UConn 57, Sacred Heart 20

With CP3 & Tennessee only a week away, UConn anticipates Charles' first dunk. Charles (who can dunk and has dunked once in high school) says she is more focused on getting healthy and hitting lay-ups than dunking on Parker (who we all know can dunk and has dunked 5 times in college).

It's Official, Phillips UConn career IS NOT over, but the basketball part of it IS. She has decided to continue her education at UConn for now, but finally admits that she was not at all prepared to handle this level of basketball. All the best to Phillips in whereever life now takes her!!

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers.

Today, Geno is on the verge of 600 wins. He will try to become the fastest coach to reach 600...this will be Geno's 716th try. He would move ahead of Pat Summit, who is currently the record holder at 600 wins in 734 tries.

UConn struggled with UHart...for a while in the 1st half, Montgomery and Greene finally stepped and helped the Huskies surge past Hartford eventually pulling away for a 62-36 win. UConn found enough energy to bring Geno within ONE victory of 600 career wins. The 5'10 Greene finished with her 2nd consecutive career double-double finishing with 14 pts. and a career-high 16 rebs. helping the Huskies run away in the 2nd half.

5/5 Connecticut Huskies (10-0)

Results: Connecticut 62, Hartford 36
Player of the Game: So. SF Kalana Greene
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. PF Kaili McLaren
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. PF Kaili McLaren
Stat of the Game: Assists - UConn 13, Hartford 3

Last night, it was the Maya Moore show on Versus as she tops herself again. She single-handedily led her #1 Collins Hill HS team to a 45-36 halftime lead over #11 St. Elizabeth's in the T-Mobile Invitational Championship game outscoring St. Elizabeth's herself 38-36. After getting 10 hours of sleep, a rested Moore lifted CHHS to a 74-63 title win...finishing the game with a career-high 48 pts. to go along with 13 rebs. and 7 stls. It is hard to imagine how good she actually is until you see her in action and then she ends up being way better than ever imagined.

With the Huskies depleted upfront with injuries and the departing of Phillips from the team, the UConn backcourt will need to step up big as they take on Hartford. And add Gardler to the injured list as she injured her elbow fooling around at home during X-Mas break.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Hartford Hawks.

The Williams twins are closer than most and most don't even know Williams is a twin since her twin is male, who doesn't play basketball or attend UConn. Both are great athletes and play for top Division I sports in their respective sport. Her younger (by a minute) brother, Isaiah, starts at wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins. She comes from a very athletic family as her older brother played football at Wake Forest and her father played football at Rutgers.

Update: Per the Courant and Geno, Phillips' very brief UConn career is apparently...OVER.

Phillips remains in North Carolina at her home. She says she still has not made a decision on whether she will come back to UConn and that decision doesn't seem to be coming any time soon. She has not withdrawn her name from the school or decided if she will transfer or not. Everyday that goes by though, makes the likelihood that she will ever put a Husky uniform on again get smaller and smaller.

Of note, Hunter and Charles still remain questionable against Hartford, who look up to UConn, as of last night's first practice since X-Mas.

UConn-bound Maya Moore fought through some serious fatigue last night to led her team (27 pts. and 15 rebs.) to an OT victory 60-58 over #15 Winter Haven HS and remain an undefeated 14-0 on the season. With the nation's best girls basketball player, #1 Collins Hill HS was down, but never out as Moore stole a pass with 16 secs. remaining in OT and got fouled while she hit the game winning lay-up (she missed the and-one free throw). Moore and CHHS will now play #11 St. Elizabeth's HS led by Rutgers-bound Khadijah Rushdan, who beat Issaquah HS 58-37, tonight in the T-Mobile Invitational Championship game. This will be CHHS 8th game in a 14 day span after playing the 15th & 16th, the 18th thru 21st, and now the 27th & 28th of December (not to mention flying back and forth between time zones for Christmas) and making Moore's incredible play that much more impressive.

Charles was named Big East Freshman of the Week today after averaging 12 ppg, 6 rpg, and 2.3 bpg and helping UConn to a 3-0 record last week.

Auriemma vs. Summit...through the years.

Some good news from the holiday break, Hunter says knee feels better, but she isn't sure if it is well enough to practice on yet. No word yet on Charles' shoulder; also the status of McLaren, Montgomery, and Houston's sore feet is unknown.

All is quiet this holiday break with the current Huskies but not with a future Husky. Fresh of her MVP performance at the Nike TOC, Maya Moore, who is simply the best, heads to Seattle to kick off the inaugural T-Mobile Invitational. She leads her #1 ranked Collins Hill HS team in their pursuit of an undefeated, national championship.

["She makes everyone around her better," Collins Hill head coach Tracey Tipton said. "Maya raises the level of play of everyone around her. The great thing about her is how selfless she is. All she cares about is winning." "Maya is the best teammate," Texas Tech signee and Collins Hill teammate Jordan Jones said. "She has this way to inspire people to perform at the highest possible level. She's a very unselfish player. She realizes the value of her teammates." Last season, Moore became only the second junior to win the Naismith Award, given to the nation's best player. (Current Tennessee star Candace Parker is the other.) She was a consensus All-American, the Georgia state player of the year, and was a member of the United States' Under-18 team that won a gold medal last summer at the FIBA Americas Tournament. She entered this season as the unquestioned No. 1 player in the country in one of the deepest recruiting classes in years. "The closest comparison I can find to her is a young Tamika Catchings," said Chris Hansen, the national recruiting director at Scout.com. "There are not many players who can do the number of things she can, especially in terms of rebounding and defense. She really gets after it on both ends of the floor."]

NOTE: For those of you with DirecTV Sports Package, you can check Moore out live on Ch. 608 Wed. 12/27 at 4pm ET (1pm PT).

With Greene believing in her talent, a new star has emerged for the Huskies. The player Geno says has improved the most since last year and played the best this preseason is finally translating all her off season success onto the court. Averaging 17.3 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 apg, and almost 2 spg while shooting over 70% from the field this past week just shows us some of what the 5'10 slasher is capable of. It seems that as long as she continues this kind of play, UConn will be in the running for a 2nd consecutive Big East Most Improved Player (although she's getting some very tough competition from fellow slasher, Louisville SF Angel McCoughtry).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

The Huskies proved to be too athletic for Oakland yesterday afternoon. Led again by Greene (13 pts. and 14 rebs.) as UConn dominated Oakland 85-53. Great 1st halves by Hunter and Charles were interrupted by 'tweaks' to their knee and shoulder injuries, respectively and forced both of them to the bench for the game. The post domination didn't stop with both centers on the bench the entire second half as Greene and McLaren took over. All the girls will now go home for a short holiday break, heal their wounds, and then come back to get ready to face a Husky of Honor and Hartford.

6/6 Connecticut Huskies (9-0)

Results: Connecticut 85, Oakland 53
Player of the Game: Jr. C Brittany Hunter
Defensive Player of the Game: So. SF Kalana Greene
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. PF Kaili McLaren
Stat of the Game: 2nd Chance points - UConn 25, Oakland 5

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Oakland Grizzlies.

Huskies of old and present spent last night celebrating now & then. Reminiscing about fights, coach yelling, why they came to Connecticut in the first place, and why they wore the number did with former teammates or older/younger players while watching the current undefeated 6th ranked Huskies isn't a bad added bonus. All the good and bad times are now memories that shine through the years for those who were honored.

Last night, the Huskies past the test with honors in front of 6 of the 10 former UConn Kodak All-Americans as they shut down the Rams (at least in the post) winning 93-58. Led by the backcourt trio of Montgomery, Thomas, and Greene (19, 19, and 17 pts. respectively), the Huskies lived up to the predecessors on a very special night where UConn's 10 Kodak All-Americans were honored with banners that now hang in the rafters of Gampel Pavilion. It was fitting that the 1st player honored was the one success started with, #24 Bascom. Don't be suprised if Montgomery joins the high honor roll one day with a banner of her own as she added 7 asts., 5 stls., and no TO's on a night the was definitely worth the wait. The current Huskies put on a show for their special guests and efficently disposed of the Rams behind all 5 starters being in double figures for the 1st time since 2002 (4 were had 10 by halftime and Houston had 8). Post play was also improved in the rout despite being short handed as Hunter was a DNP (due to her knee acting up that afternoon).

Even the Big East Conference is grateful to these 10 wonderful athletes for the evolution of a powerful women's basketball conference as they helped pave the way for what is now considered one of the best women's basketball leagues in the country which won 5 NCAA titles in a row from 2000-04.

In some UConn recruiting news, #1 HS player and UConn signee 6'1 SF Maya Moore led her 1^/2* Collins Hill HS team to the Nike Tournament of Champions title over 2^/1* Long Beach Poly averaging 34.3 ppg in 4 games in 4 days 3 of which where against Top 15 teams and being named Tournament MVP. Scout writer and National Director of Scouting Chris Hansen says, "We get it Maya, you are the best high school player ever. Yes - EVER!" after she led her team back from 12 down with under 3 minutes to go in the quarter-final game to beat 14^/6* Notre Dame Academy in OT finishing with a career-high 42 pts., 11 rebs., 6 blks., 5 asts., and 2 stls. Jamelle Elliot and Chris Dailey were even among the spectators of the TOC on Tue (Qtr-final) & Wed (Semi-final) to see Moore's phenomenal performances, but they had to miss Mon & Thu (Championship) due to UConn games.

Fellow UConn signee 5'4 PG Lorin Dixon led her 12^/4* Christ the King HS team to a 4th place finish in the same division as Moore. UConn hopeful 6'5 SF Elena DelleDonne led her 10^/7* Ursuline Academy HS team to an 8th place finish playing in the same Black Division of the Nike TOC as Moore and Dixon which featured 11 teams ranked in the ^USA Today Girls HS Basketball Top 25 rankings (as of 12/13) and 11 teams ranked in the *Scout FCP Girls HS Basketball Top 25 rankings (as of 11/22). These rankings will surely shuffle because of the TOC with Collins Hill the clear favorite at this point to win their 1st (mythical) HS National Championship.

6/6 Connecticut Huskies (8-0)

Results: Connecticut 93, Colorado State 58
Player of the Game: So. PG Renee Montgomery
Defensive Player of the Game: So. PG Renee Montgomery
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles
Stat of the Game: Points in the Paint - UConn 42, Colorado State 6

Ms. All-Everything/All-World and UConn Great Taurasi (or as I call her, DT3), who will be honored tonight as one of 10 Kodak All-Americans, was just named the 2006 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year. Congrats Dee on yet another honor!!!

Geno says his Huskies success in the balance is and will be the difference this season. "You know why our team is really good?" Auriemma said Wednesday after practice. "Our team is really good because I said to them, `Look, we've got to do a couple things here to make sure that we get Mel more shots. Now, it may not be that important to you guys that we get Mel more shots if we're going to keep winning by 40.' Charde was the first one to say, `No, that ain't right.' I said, `Darn right it's not right. We got a huge weapon here that we have to figure out a way to take advantage of.' They're all, `Yeah.'" Hunter claims she knows what Geno wants best, better and more consistent post play.

Speaking of Thomas and Houston, tonight they'll watch as Thomas' number (25) will be unveiled on a banner honoring Abrosimova and Houston, who will meet UConn's 1st Kodak All-American for the 1st time tonight, will watch as her number (24) will be unveiled on a banner honoring Bascom. The 3rd current Husky whose number will be honored tonight is Greene, who's game is on target as she continues finding her touch. She will watch her number (32) be unveiled on a banner honoring Cash.