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

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (29-0, 15-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 84, Georgetown 62
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (33p, 15r, 3b, 38m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (12dr, 3b, 38m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Sugar Rodgers (GTown) (13p, 4r, 2a, 1s, 33m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 52, Georgetown 24

2009-10 Big East Regular Season Champions!!!

Summary: Senior Day arrived and this year's Georgetown team played the first 10mins. like it might give the UConn Seniors their first lost on the final home game since the 1992-93 Georgetown team did it back in Feb. 27, 1993 (17 years to the day). Unfortunately for the present team, UConn All-American Tina Charles said, "Not on my Senior Day, not in my house, no way, no how" as the Huskies defeated the Hoyas, 84-62. Charles stole the show once again as she and the five seniors all started the game (1st career start for G Jacquie Fernandes) and went out in style wrapping up their 4th Big East regular season title, having only lost 2 home games in their career (except 5th-yr. Sr. Kalana Greene - 4 total) and compiliing a record-to-date of 136-6 in 4 years.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 13/11 Georgetown Hoyas (24-4, 12-2 BE).

Event: 2010 Senior Day
Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 12:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV (Geno Show, 9am)
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: Gametracker

"The Climb: UConn's Quest for Perfection"

"The Climb" is an ESPNU documentary and a behind-the-scenes look into the 2009-10 University of Connecticut women's basketball team and will premiere on Friday, Feb. 26 on ESPNU at 3:30pm (ET). Friday's airing will be episode one of a four-part series that will offer a unique all-access look at the inner workings of one of the most successful programs in all of college sports. The premiere episode will feature ESPN's College GameDay's visit to Storrs in January, Tina Charles being inducted into the "Huskies of Honor" and segments on the success of the sophomore class and the importance of the play of the bench. Additional episodes are tentatively scheduled to air on ESPNU on March 5, March 19 and April 2. Air times for each date are 3:30 p.m. (ET) and replay at 11:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPNU - but are subject to change.

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (28-0, 14-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 87, Syracuse 66
Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (38p, 20r, 3a, 3s, 2b, 32m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (14dr, 3s, 2b, 32m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (3p, 2r, 2a, 15m)
Stat of the Game: Fouls: UConn 12, Syracuse 25

Summary: Still to come...

The 2009-10 Award Season is officially in full swing and again it's UConn's Maya Moore taking home hardware. Today the Superstar (on and off the court) was named the 2009-10 CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All America of the Year and to the 2009-10 CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine All America First Team (for the second year in a row). Moore is the third UConn women’s basketball player to earn multiple first team Academic All-America selections, joining Leigh Curl and Rebecca Lobo and the third UConn women’s basketball player to earn ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America of the Year status joining Lobo (1995) and Jennifer Rizzotti (1996). She is an Individualized Major with a 3.70 GPA.

Congratulations Maya, for all your hardwork and dedication on the court and more importantly, in the classroom...you make us UConn fans very proud to call you our own!!!!

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Syracuse Orange (19-7, 6-7 BE).

Location: Carrier Dome (Syracuse, NY)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: N/A

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (27-0, 13-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 85, Providence 53
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (26p, 9r, 3a, 4b, 28m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. W Maya Moore (3dr, 5s, 1b, 27m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Kelly Faris (5p, 3r, 2a, 1s, 26m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 42, Providence 12

Summary: Still to come...

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Providence Friars (15-10, 6-6 BE).

Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 1:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: Gametracker

Catch it LIVE tonight on CPTV and CPTV Hoop Streams...Geno Live!! With special guests Assoc. Head Coach Chris Dailey, Asst. Coach Shea Ralph, and Asst. Coach Marisa Moseley.

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (26-0, 12-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 76, Oklahoma 60
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (19p, 9r, 2a, 1s, 4b, 37m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (8dr, 1s, 4b, 37m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. C Joanna McFarland (OU) (2p, 1r, 1a, 1b, 15m)
Stat of the Game: FG%: UConn 48.3%, Oklahoma 33.3%

Summary: Still to come...

UConn All-American Sr. C Tina Charles was named Big East Player of the Week for the fifth time this season after averaging 22.0ppg, 13.0rpg, 1.5apg, and 2.0bpg on 19-31FG shooting from the floor 6-8FT shooting from the line while helping UConn to a 2-0 week in the Big East and leading the way for UConn against 25/24 St. John's with her first-ever 20-20 game of 25pts. and a career-high 21rebs.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at 11/12 Oklahoma Sooners (18-6).

Location: Lloyd Noble Center (Norman, OK)
Time: 9:00pm (ET)
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: ESPN360
Live Stats: Gametracker

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (25-0, 12-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 66, St. John's 52
Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (25p, 21r, 1a, 1s, 3b, 40m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. C Tina Charles (12dr, 1s, 3b, 40m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. G Nadirah McKenith (SJU) (15p, 11r, 3a, 2s, 33m)
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 57, St. John's 36

Summary: Still to come...

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 25/24 St. John's Red Storm (20-4, 8-3 BE).

Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 5:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV (Geno Show, 4pm)
Radio: WTIC/NewsTalk 1080
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Live Stats: Gametracker