Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 3/3 North Carolina Tar Heels.

TV: ESPN2, 7:00 pm

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

Results: Connecticut 86, Cincinnati 49
Player of the Game: Jr. PG Renee Montgomery
Defensive Player of the Game: So. PF Kaili McLaren
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. PG Lorin Dixon
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 52, Cincinnati 30

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

TV: CPTV, 12:00 pm (Geno Show 11:00 am)

And the NIGHTMARE known as the TORN ACL continues....


This time it is Sr. SG Mel Thomas who tore both her ACL and MCL in her right knee. Her career at UConn is OVER and I want to throw up...literally BIG CHUNKS. No surgery is set as of yet.

My heart breaks for Mel and her family and teammates. She optimized what it meant to wear Connecticut across your jersey. She played all out---all the time---and she will be missed, not only on the court but as a UConn Husky!!! We love you Mel and wish you a 150% fast and full recovery!!!

And we continue to wait on word regarding Mel's knee..........

6pm, 9pm........someone just tell us something but ONLY GOOD, PLEASE!!!!

Mel Thomas injured her right knee last night with two minutes to go in the game as the rest of the UConn Huskies fought off the pesky Orange of Syracuse to win 65-59. The extent of her knee injury will be determined after an MRI in done this morning in CT.

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

Results: Connecticut 65, Syracuse 59
Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: TOs: UConn 23, Syracuse 12

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

TV: CPTV, 7:00 pm

Moore was named Big East Freshman of the Week today for the 4th time this season after averaging 24 ppg, 4 rpg, and 4 apg while helping UConn to a 2-0 record in the Big East for the week.

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

Results: Connecticut 92, Louisville 71
Player of the Game: Sr. PG Ketia Swanier
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. PG Ketia Swanier
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: 3pt FGs: UConn 11, Louisville 2

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Louisville Cardinals.

TV: CPTV, 4:00 pm

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (14-0, 2-0 BE)

Results: Connecticut 84, West Virginia 48
Player of the Game: So. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: So. C Tina Charles
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: Fast Break Pts: UConn 15, West Virginia 0

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 16/16 West Virginia Mountaineers.

TV: CPTV, 7:30 pm (Geno Show 7:00 pm)

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

Results: Connecticut 100, Purdue 50
Player of the Game: So. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: Bench Pts: UConn 42, Purdue 15

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Purdue Boilermakers.

TV: CBS, 1:30 pm

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

Results: Connecticut 88, Villanova 38
Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 57, Villanova 17

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

TV: CPTV, 7:00 pm

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Moore was named Big East Freshman of the Week today for the 3rd time this season after scoring 21 pts and having 7 rebs, 2 asts, 1 stl and 1 blk while helping UConn defeat Hartford 70-24. What is so impressive is that in only 31 minutes, Moore ended the game only 3 points shy of Hartford's total for the game on 9-12 shooting (3-5 3pt).

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (11-0)

Results: Connecticut 82, Army 33
Player of the Game: Sr. SG Mel Thomas
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. PF Charde Houston
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: Points Off TO's: UConn 34, Army 7

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Army Black Knights.

TV: CPTV, 12:00 pm

1/1 Connecticut Huskies (10-0)

Results: Connecticut 70, Hartford 24
Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: Points in the Paint: UConn 36, Hartford 2

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

TV: CPTV, 7:00 pm (Geno Show 6:00 pm)

Good News: 1/1 Tennessee lost at 4/5 Stanford over the weekend 73-69 in OT opening the door for Connecticut to move up in the polls to Number 1 for the first time in the post-Taurasi era. The UConn women returned to the #1 spot for the first time since Feb. 2004 in both the AP poll (49 of 50 #1 votes) and ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll (29 of 31 #1 votes).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (9-0)

Results: Connecticut 85, San Diego State 53
Player of the Game: Sr. C Brittany Hunter
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 53, San Diego State 25

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at San Diego State Aztecs.

TV: CPTV, 11:00 pm

Bad News: Greene is done for the season. She tore her right ACL during the South Carolina game and will have surgery on Friday. The only good news that came out of UConn today was that she is still eligible to redshirt this season and will have two years remaining when she returns. Our prayers go out to her and her family and we hope for a fast and full recovery.

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (8-0)

Results: Connecticut 97, South Carolina 39
Player of the Game: So. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: TO's: UConn 6, South Carolina 23

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. South Carolina Gamecocks.

TV: CPTV, 7:30 pm

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (7-0)

Results: Connecticut 75, Virginia 45
Player of the Game: Sr. C Brittany Hunter
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. C Brittany Hunter
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: Blocks: UConn 13, Virginia 2

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Virginia Cavaliers.

TV: CPTV, 7:00 pm (Geno Show 6:30 pm)

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (6-0)

Results: Connecticut 80, BYU 34
Player of the Game: So. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. SF Kalana Greene
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: FT Shooting: UConn (8-24) 33%, BYU (5-10) 50%

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

TV: CPTV, 7:00 pm

Moore was named Big East Freshman of the Week today for the 2nd straight week after averaging 13.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, and 3.7 apg and helping UConn to a 3-0 record last week as well as earning MVP honors in the 2008 Paradise Jam.

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (5-0)

Results: Connecticut 74, Duke 48
Player of the Game: Sr. SG Mel Thomas
Co-Defensive Players of the Game: Sr. SG Mel Thomas/Fr. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: FG%: UConn 53%, Duke 36%

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 8/9 Duke Blue Devils.

TV: CPTV/Fox College Sports, 8:30 pm

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (4-0)

Results: Connecticut 86, Old Dominion 43
Player of the Game: Sr. C Brittany Hunter
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: Points in the Paint: UConn 52, Old Dominion 28

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Old Dominion Lady Monarchs.

TV: CPTV/Fox College Sports, 8:30 pm

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (3-0)

Results: Connecticut 66, Stanford 54
Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Defensive Player of the Game: So. C Tina Charles
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 48, Stanford 34

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 4/4 Stanford Cardinal.

TV: CPTV/Fox College Sports, 8:30 pm (Geno Show 8:00 pm)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Moore was named Big East Freshman of the Week today after averaging 26.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 4.0 spg, and 2.5 bpg in her Husky debut and helping UConn to a 2-0 record last week.

It's Official!!!! Welcome the Storrs, Ladies!!!!

All the L.O.I. are in!!!! A consensus Top 5 recruiting class plus the Top recruit for the 3rd straight year...Go Geno & staff!!!! The Class of 2008 recruiting class includes the consensus #1 recruit 6'5 SF Elena Delle Donne, consensus Top 10 recruit 5'11 SG Caroline Doty, consensus Top 20 recruit 6'0 SG Tiffany Hayes, and consensus Top 75 recruit (Top 40 by all except Blue Star) 6'5 C Heather Buck. Geno speaks on the recruits here, here, and here. (consensus - ASGR, BallX, Blue Star, and HoopGurlz)

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (2-0)

Results: Connecticut 91, Holy Cross 36
Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 50, Holy Cross 25

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Holy Cross Crusaders.

TV: CPTV, 7:30 pm

The Maya Moore Era officially began yesterday!!! And it started off with a bang!!! The freshman sensation had the best debut ever by a UConn freshman with 21 pts., 10 rebs., 4 asts., 4 stls., and 2 blks. to lead UConn to a 98-35 victory over Stony Brook. UConn also received great performances out of Thomas (21 pts. and 4 rebs.) and Charles (16 pts. and 6 rebs.) on their way to their 12th straight home opening win.

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (1-0)

Results: Connecticut 98, Stony Brook 35
Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: TO's: UConn 10, Stony Brook 29

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Stony Brook Seawolves.

TV: CPTV, 2:00 pm (Geno Show 1:00pm)

2/2 Connecticut Huskies (0-0)

Results: Connecticut 119, SCSU 58
Player of the Game: So. C Tina Charles
Defensive Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: Points in the Paint: UConn 88, SCSU 12

Game notes (pdf) for today's exhibition game vs. 2 Southern Connecticut State Owls (DII).

TV: none (Husky All-Access only)

The AP preseason poll was released today. Defending National Champions Tennessee are the unanimious #1 with all 50 1st place votes followed by Connecticut, Rutgers, Maryland, and LSU to round out the Top 5. The Big East tied a record with 7 teams being ranked in the AP preseason poll.

AP Preseason Poll:
1 Tennessee (50)
2 Connecticut
3 Rutgers**
4 Maryland
5 LSU*
6 Oklahoma
7 Stanford*
8 North Carolina*
9 Georgia
10 Duke^
11 Texas A&M
12 Arizona State
13 California
14 George Washington
15 Baylor
16 Ohio State
17 Michigan State
18 West Virginia*
19 Florida State
20 Pittsburgh*
21 Louisville*
22 Texas
23 Vanderbilt
24 Notre Dame*
25 DePaul*

*UConn opponent
^Potential UConn opponent (in Paradise Jam)

2 Connecticut Huskies (0-0)

Results: Team USA 90, Connecticut 74
*Player of the Game: Jr. PG Renee Montgomery
*Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. PF Charde Houston
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SF Maya Moore
Stat of the Game: FT Shooting: Team USA 21-26 (81%), Connecticut 11-23 (48%)

*I chose UConn players because it was an exhibition and I focused on who played the best for UConn only and not necessarily the game

Game notes (pdf) for today's exhibition game vs. USA Senior National Team.

TV: CPTV, 7:30 pm

The USA Today/ESPN Coaches' preseason poll was released today. Defending National Champions Tennessee led the way with 26 1st place votes followed by Connecticut, Rutgers, Maryland, and LSU to round out the Top 5.

USA Today/ESPN Preseason Poll:
1 Tennessee (26)
2 Connecticut (4)
3 Rutgers**
4 Maryland
5 LSU* (1)
6 Oklahoma
7 North Carolina*
8 Stanford*
9 Duke^
10 Georgia
11 Texas A&M
12 Arizona State
13 George Washington
14 California
15 Baylor
16 Ohio State
17 Vanderbilt
18 Michigan State
19 Florida State
20 Purdue*
21 Pittsburgh*
22 West Virginia*
23 Louisville*
24 Texas
25 NC State

*UConn opponent
^Potential UConn opponent (in Paradise Jam)

Wow!! I can't believe it's been exactly one year since I started this blog. Happy 1st Anniversary to ME!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Suprise! Suprise!! Connecticut was picked to win the 2007-08 Big East Conference Regular Season title in a poll voted on by the league coaches. Connecticut was the unanimous pick by all the coaches except for Geno (who can't vote for his own team--so he voted for Rutgers). Louisville's Angel McCoughtry was tabbed as the 2007-08 Preseason Big East POTY and Connecticut's Maya Moore was tabbed as the 2007-08 Preseason Big East FOTY. Eleven players were named to the 2007-08 Preseason All Big East Team including Connecticut's Charles and Montgomery and 3 were named honorable mention including Connecticut's Houston.

2007-08 Preseason Big East Poll:
1. Connecticut (15)
2. Rutgers (1)
3. West Virginia
4. Pittsburgh
5. Notre Dame
6. Louisville
7. DePaul
8. Marquette
9. South Florida
10. Seton Hall
11. St. John's
12. Villanova
13. Syracuse
14. Cincinnati
15. Providence
16. Georgetown

2007-08 Preseason All Big East Team:
Matee Ajavon, Rutgers, Sr., G
Charel Allen, Notre Dame, Sr., G
*Essence Carson, Rutgers, Sr., F/G
Tina Charles, Connecticut, So., C
Krystal Ellis, Marquette, Jr., G
*Angel McCoughtry, Louisville, Jr., F
Renee Montgomery, Connecticut, Jr., G
*Olayinka Sanni, West Virginia, Sr., C
Kia Vaughn, Rutgers, Jr., C
*Marcedes Walker, Pittsburgh, Sr., C
Shavonte Zellous, Pittsburgh, RS-Jr., G
* - unanimous selection

2007-08 Preseason All Big East honorable mention:
Allie Quigley, DePaul, Sr., G
Charde Houston, Connecticut, Sr., F
Kia Wright, St. John’s, Sr., G

Now that the 2007-08 WCBB season has officially started, here is MY 2007-08 Pre-season Top 25:

1. Tennessee
2. Connecticut
3. Rutgers**
4. LSU*
5. Maryland
6. Duke^
7. North Carolina*
8. Stanford*
9. Oklahoma
10. Texas A&M
11. Arizona State
12. West Virginia*
13. George Washington
14. Pittsburgh*
15. Georgia
16. Baylor
17. Notre Dame*
18. Ohio State
19. California
20. Louisville*
21. Michigan State
22. Texas
23. Florida State
24. Vanderbilt
25. Purdue*

*UConn opponent
^Potential UConn opponent (in Paradise Jam)

The USA Senior National Team qualified for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics with a victory in the gold medal game over Cuba, 101-71, in the 2007 FIBA Americas Tournament down in Valdivia, Chile. They were led by Diana Taurasi who had a double-double with 15 pts. and 12 rebs. and 18 pts. from Tina Thompson. Sue Bird (5 pts. & 3 asts.) and Swin Cash (2 pts. & 2 rebs) were also members of the team.

7 of 12 spots taken for 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics:
(August 8-24, 2008)
Host - China
World Champion - Australia
Africa - Mali
America - United States
Asia - Korea
Europe - Russia
Oceania - New Zealand

Teams* in the 2008 Olympics Qualifying Tournament:
(June 9-15, 2008)
Africa (2) - Senegal & Angola
America (3) - Cuba, Brazil, & Argentina
Asia (2) - Japan & Chinese Taipei
Europe (4) - Spain, Belarus, Latvia, & Czech Republic
Oceania (1) - Fiji

*the Top 5 advance on to the olympic games

The 2007-08 SEASON has ARRIVED!!!!!!!!!!

The Huskies will begin their quest for title #6 (and #1 for this group) tonight at UConn's First Night at 7:30pm in Gampel. A live webcast (paid subscription required) will be shown on the NEW Husky All-Access site (a free archive webcast will be available). The Husky All-Access site will televise post-game news conferences as well as the Nov. 6th Exb. Game vs. Div II National Champion Southern CT State Uni.

For Geno & Co. it will be business as usual, as the team focuses to get back to the Final 4 and of course, win the National Championship. This will be the last chance for the Seniors to make it past the Elite 8. The team held its annual Media Day on Wed., and Geno says McLaren has made to most remarkable change of anyone, Dixon is faster than lightning (she broke Abrosimova's mile run record), Charles physically looks great after offseason shoulder surgery, and Houston is getting herself geared up for a big finish!!!

In recruiting news, Geno is showing no signs of letting up on the rest of the country by taking a visit down to Sugarland, Texas to pay a visit to the #1 prospect in the 2009 class, 6'6 C Kelsey Bone. While it was exciting for her and her mother that Geno showed up in person, her mother (Kim Williams) admits that her daughter will go through all the steps of the recruiting process with her eyes wide open and there is no favorite in sight.

And here's a closer look at rest UConn seems to be focusing in on for 2009 (which will have 4 scholarships open).

Congratulations Phoenix Mercury and of course Diana Taurasi (and Kelly Schmaucher) for winning the 2007 WNBA Championship!!! The former UConn great DT along with Finals MVP Cappie Pondexter (Rutgers) and 2006 WC MVP Penny Taylor (Australia) led the Mercury to their 1st Championship and in lightning-quick, dramatic fashion.

Bad News Alert!! :( UConn-commit Caroline Doty tore her ACL playing in a H.S. soccer game and will come up to Connecticut to have surgery late in October. You can hear the disappointment in her words, but she's a fighter. Her focus now is her freshman year at UConn. Good Luck CD!! Take your time and come back stronger and better.

THE BIGGEST NEWS OF THE YEAR:

The #1 Recruit in the country for the 3rd year in a row has just verbally committed to play for the UConn Huskies. 6'4 SF Elena Delle Donne will follow Tina Charles and Maya Moore to the Storrs campus and make her debut in the blue and white in the Fall of 2008. EDD says she plans on rooming with longtime teammate and friend UConn-commit 5'10 SG Caroline Doty. She chose UConn over Tennessee, Middle Tenn State, and Villanova. Welcome to Storrs, EDD!!!!

BUT.....

She wasn't the only big name recruit to verbal to the Huskies over the weekend. In-state recruit and reigning CT H.S. Player of the Year, 6'4 C Heather Buck, committed to UConn on Saturday. She chose UConn over Maryland, Stanford, and Holy Cross. Welcome to Storrs, Heather!!!!

The 2008 Recruiting class now sits at 4 with one scholarship left and an offer still on the table for 6'3 PF Chelsey Lee out of Miami, FL (an AAU teammate of UConn-commit 5'11 SG Tiffany Hayes). Lee will make her official visit to Storrs during the Huskies' First Night (Midnight Madness and the SuperShow rolled into one night) along with Hayes and Delle Donne.

Three Huskies donned the USA red, white, and blue jersey this summer and all 3 returned home with GOLD!!!

First, Seniors Mel Thomas and Charde Houston helped the USA Pan Am team to a gold medal in the 2007 Pan Am Games down in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Thomas averaged 8.3 ppg in 16 mpg off the bench in 3 games and Houston averaged 4.8 ppg and 5.0 rpg in 14 mpg off the bench in 4 games (although she did have one start).

Then Freshman Maya Moore led the USA Under 19 team to a gold medal in the 2007 Under 19 World Championships for Women in Bratislava, Slovakia. Moore averaged a team leading 16.3 ppg to go along with 6.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.9 spg, and 0.9 bpg in 23.2 mpg. In the gold medal game, Moore had 19 pts., 13 rebs., 6 asts., and 3 stls. (all game highs).

GO UCONN!!!! GO USA!!!!

I tried to stay away from the UConn-Tenn series ending drama for as long as possible, but the recent articles involving Tenn's allegied attacks at UConn's recruiting tactics have just plain P'd me off. In my honest opinion, I do NOT believe for ONE milla-Second that UConn did nor has done anything wrong in the recruiting battle for past and current un-named recruits (left un-named b/c I personally feel it is wrong to involve them by name even if some names have become public already). For whatever reason, Tenn has decided to not renew the series and they are the ones left with having to look at themselves in the mirrors every morning. It is a shame that women's college basketball as a whole will be damaged GREATLY FOREVER by this decision, but the decision has been made. Maybe the WCBB world will rally together and show their undeniable displeasure with this decision and call for some action.

SO I SAY TO ANYONE WHO READS THIS POST AND IS UPSET WITH THE DECISION TO END THE UCONN-TENN SERIES, SEND YOUR THOUGHTS........HERE!!!

Today, Houston and Thomas were named to the 2007 PanAm Games USA Basketball roster. They will compete down in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil starting on July 20th.

Injury update:

Charles progressing nicely from right shoulder surgery. Still no contact until August. Continuing to work with the left hand.

In UConn recruiting news, Elena DelleDonne has cut her list down to 4. She has also decided to take a 2-month hiatus from the competitive basketball world (which by the way I think should be mandatory for all competitive athletes throughout their respective careers, to decrease injury and burnout as well as increase passion and commitment for their sport - SO KUDOS TO YOU EDD!!!). The Final 4 schools still in the running for the Phenom's services are Connecticut, Middle Tenn State, Tennessee, and Villanova. All have been kindly asked by EDD to not contact her at all during this 2-month period or they risk jeopardizing her decision to attend their school.

AND DONE!!!

The perennial UConn-Tenn game is OVER. No reason (as if any would be good enough) was given by Tennessee officials on why they decided NOT to renew the series contract. Also over, is the inaugurial ESPN Women's College Game Day that would have featured the game on ESPN instead of CBS. UConn will replace the series be renewing their series with SEC-rival LSU.

Seniors Houston and Thomas and incoming freshmen Moore and Dixon have been invited to the USA Basketball trails in Colorado Springs, CO May 17-20. Houston has a shot at the U21 and PanAm squads, Thomas the PanAm squad, and Moore and Dixon will fight for spots on the U19 squad. Rumor has it Montgomery and Greene declined invites for unspecified reasons.

Also, Geno Auriemma, Connecticut was just named the Vice President of the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association) under President Sherri Coale, Oklahoma for 2 years beginning in August 2007 upon which he will succeed Coale and become (only the 3rd male) President for 2 years beginning in August 2009.

Most of the 2007-08 UConn Schedule has been released...the Huskies will open with a home meeting against Stony Brook on Nov. 11th. They will also play an exhibition game against the newly crowned but coachless D-II Women's Basketball National Champions SCSU. The annual Rutgers home and away rivalry will continue for the 3rd straight year in the New Big East.

Just one more honor for Mrs. Maya Moore...

Today she was named (Suprise, Suprise!!!) 2006-07 USA Today National H.S. Player of the Year and 1st team All USA Today. Her coach Tracy Tipton won Coach of the Year as well. UConn recruit Elena DelleDonne comes in at a surprising member of the 3rd team (I think everyone expected her to be higher...I think her team's record may have played a part and the fact that she's only a junior...not that either were justifiable reasons).

Today Taurasi was named Superleague Player of the Month for March 2007 in the Russian Superleague. Taurasi & company recently added Bird's WNBA Seattle Storm teammate Lauren Jackson to their Spartak Moscow roster for the Superleague playoffs which start April 14th and go until May 10th.

In some coaching news, UConn Assistant Coach Jamelle Elliott is interviewing for the Fairfield head coaching job tomorrow while it is rumored that UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has contacted Penn State on behalf of Associate Head Coach Chris Dailey for their head coach vacany. Boy, would the sidelines at Gampel (and the HCC) look VERY, VERY different next season.

Yet another H.S. Player of the Year honor for incoming freshmen Maya Moore. Today she was named the 2007 Parade Magazine H.S. POTY and to the Parade All-American 1st team. UConn commit Caroline Doty was named to the 2nd team and fellow incoming UConn freshmen Lorin Dixon was named to the 3rd team.

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Now that the 2006-07 WCBB season is now officially over (Congratulations Tennessee Lady Vols on #7!!!), I offer MY 2007-08 Pre-season Top 25:

1. Tennessee
2. Connecticut
3. Rutgers
4. LSU
5. Maryland
6. Duke
7. North Carolina
8. Stanford
9. Notre Dame
10. Oklahoma
11. Arizona State
12. Texas A&M
13. Georgia
14. George Washington
15. Pittsburgh
16. West Virginia
17. Baylor
18. DePaul
19. Ohio State
20. California
21. Louisville
22. Michigan State
23. Texas
24. Purdue
25. Vanderbilt

With the WNBA season on the horizon, it's time to update former UConn stars playing overseas until May.

Today Abrosimova, Bird, Taurasi and Russia's Spartak Moscow won the 2006-07 Women's Euroleague Championship defeating fellow USA Senior National teammate and WNBA rival Washington Mystics DeLisha Milton-Jones and Spain's Ros Casares 76-62. Watch the video interview here with Taurasi & others. Taurasi finished with 23pts., 5rebs., 3asts., and 1stl. Fellow Spartak and USA Senior National teammate and WNBA rival Houston Comet's Tina Thompson finished with 24pts. and 8rebs. was named MVP of the Final 4 and scoring champ of the Euroleague at 21.1ppg.

The honors continue to roll in for Charles. Today she was named the 2006-07 USBWA National Freshman of the Year joining only Shea Ralph as UConn freshmen to win the award.

1 Connecticut Huskies (32-4)

Results: Louisiana State 73, Connecticut 50
Player of the Game: Jr. C Sylvia Fowles
Defensive Player of the Game: Jr. C Sylvia Fowles
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. SG Allison Hightower
Stat of the Game: Fr. C Tina Charles - 0-5 FG, 1-2 FT for 1 pt, 3rebs, 1blk, 1 stl

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA tourney game vs. 3 Louisiana State Tigers.

1 Connecticut Huskies (32-3)

Results: Connecticut 78, North Carolina State 71
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: TO's - UConn 7, NC State 14

Game notes (pdf) for today's NCAA tourney game vs. 4 North Carolina State Wolfpack.

The post season awards just keep piling up for All-Everything Maya Moore. Today she was named the 2007 McDonald's National H.S. POTY. She will also play in the McDonald's H.S. All American game with fellow UConn signee Lorin Dixon. The game will be televised live from Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY on ESPNU on Wednesday, March 28 at 5:30pm ET. The game will be replayed on ESPN2 on Friday, March 30 at 1pm ET for all of us dopes without ESPNU.

Chat Live with Moore today at 2:30pm ET.

1 Connecticut Huskies (31-3)

Results: Connecticut 94, Wisconsin GB 70
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 46, UWGB 24

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.