Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (1-3).

Event: World Vision Classic
Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 7:30pm (ET)
TV: CPTV (Geno Show, 6:30pm)
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

2/4 Connecticut Huskies (3-0)

Results: Connecticut 68, Stanford 58
Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (25p, 8r, 1a, 2s, 32m)
Def. Player of the Game: So. C Stefanie Dolson (6dr, 4b, 31m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (25p, 8r, 1a, 2s, 32m)
Stat of the Game: Turnovers: UConn 7, Stanford 16

Summary: In their first BIG post-Maya test, the Huskies passed with defensive colors. Led (again) by Fr. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis' career-high tying 25pts., UConn pulled away late to defeat Stanford, 68-58. The Huskies struggled to put the ball in their own basket, but played such great hustle defense against Stanford that the Cardinal struggle even more than the Huskies. UConn All-American candidates So. G Bria Hartley and Sr. G Tiffany Hayes each chipped in a huge 19p/3r/4a/3s and 9p/13r/6a/3s/1b, respectively.

UConn freshman W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis was named the Big East Freshman of the Week for the first time in her career after helping UConn defeat Pacific by scoring 25pts. and adding 7rebs. in the 112-53 victory. She has averaged 16ppg and 7rpg in the first two contests.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. 5/5 Stanford Cardinal (3-0)

Location: XL Center (Hartford, CT)
Time: 7:30pm (ET)
TV: ESPNU
Internet: none
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

4/4 Connecticut Huskies (2-0)

Results: Connecticut 112, Pacific 53
Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (25p, 7r, 1a, 1s, 25m)
Def. Player of the Game: Jr. G Kelly Faris (2dr, 6s, 1b, 18m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (25p, 7r, 1a, 1s, 25m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. Off TOs: UConn 41, Pacific 13

Summary: The Huskies made some believers out a lot of critics tonight. They were ALL hitting on ALL cylinders tonight as UConn annihilated Pacific 112-53. Led by Fr. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis' career-high 25pts., UConn shot a blistering 71% from the field for the entire game. They also tied a record for points in a half (68) in the first half. In all six Huskies scored in double figures and Kelly Faris finished with a career-high 6 steals.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Pacific Tigers (0-1).

Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 7:30pm (ET)
TV: CPTV
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

4/4 Connecticut Huskies (1-0)

Results: Connecticut 77, Holy Cross 37
Player of the Game: Sr. G Tiffany Hayes (16p, 8r, 4a, 2s, 2b, 29m)
Def. Player of the Game: Sr. G Tiffany Hayes (5dr, 2s, 2b, 29m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (7p, 7r, 1s, 28m)
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 49, Holy Cross 32

Summary: Life Without Moore has officially begun. Led by the All-American Candidate trio of Sr. G Tiffany Hayes (16p/8r/4a/2s/2b), So. G Bria Hartley (17p/3r/6a/1s), and So. C Stefanie Dolson (12p/7r/1s/1b) the UConn Huskies easily handled Holy Cross for its first post-Maya victory, 77-37. While it wasn't always pretty, it still was a 40-pt. blowout in typical UConn fashion by the time the final buzzer rang. The biggest highlight from the game, of course, being the return of UConn RJr. G Caroline Doty, who started the game at the point, missed her first two 3-pt. attempts before nailing 2 three's back-to-back midway through the first half, en route to a 9p/5r/3a evening in 22 mins. of action. All three freshman saw a decent amount of action as well with W Kaleena M. Lewis going 0-for-7 from long range, but still impressing with 7p/7r/1s, F Kiah Stokes tallying 4p/4r/1s, and G Brianna Banks finishing with 2p/2r/2a/2s.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Holy Cross Crusaders (0-1).

Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 2:00pm (ET)
TV: CPTV (Geno Show, 1pm)
Internet: CPTV Hoop Streams
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

Today the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team received three national letters of intent during the early signing period as announced by head coach Geno Auriemma. Moriah Jefferson, Breanna Stewart, and Morgan Tuck will join UConn for the 2012-13 season after signing the NLI's. According to ESPN HoopGurlz and BlueStar Girls HSBB rankings, UConn has signed the top recruiting class in the country. Welcome to Storrs, Ladies!!!!

5'7 G Moriah Jefferson (Glenn Heights, TX)
Ranked the #2 Overall  Player in both the ESPN HoopGurlz and BlueStar rankings. Named as a finalist for the 2011 USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team in May ... National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships (NCHBC) Sullivan Award Winner in 2011 ... Played with the Texas Home Educators Sports Association (THESA) as a homeschooled athlete where she amassed 2,541 points, 646 rebounds and 488 steals in her career. Started competing with the THESA as an eighth grader ... Helped lead the Riders to four NCHBC Texas Region titles and four NCHBC national championships ... Started all 50 games and averaged 21.8 points., 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.0 steals per game in aiding her team to a 42-8 record. ... Averaged 17.5 points to help her team to a 42-9 record during her sophomore season ... Started in 50 of 51 games during her freshman season, averaging19.5 points to help THESA to a 42-10 record.

6'4 F Breanna Stewart (Syracuse, NY)
Ranked the #1 Overall Player in both the ESPN HoopGurlz and BlueStar rankings. As a member of the 2011 USA U19 World Championship Team, averaged team-highs of 11.2 points and 7.3 rebounds to help Team USA to a 7-1 record and gold medal at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship in Chile ... Shot 46.8 percent from the field (36-77 FGs) for the US ... Named to the five-member All-FIBA U19 World Championship Team ... Gatorade New York Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2011 ... Has played four varsity seasons at Cicero-North Syracuse High School (N.Y.), where she has competed in 93 games and compiled 1,668 points, 996 rebounds, 220 assists, 219 steals and 515 blocks ... Led her team to a 22-3 record, the New York Section 3 and New York Class AA state titles during the 2010-11 campaign ... Started all 25 games during her junior season and averaged 24.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.8 steals and 4.2 blocks per game ... As a sophomore, Stewart started in all 22 games and led the team to an 18-4; averaged 22.1 points, 13.2 rebounds and 7.2 blocks per game... As a freshman, averaged 17.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 7.0 blocks per game to help North Syracuse to a 21-3 record and the 2A regional final. ... As an 8th grader in 2007-08, started in 20 of 23 games played and averaged 9.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 7.3 blocks per game.

6'2 F Morgan Tuck (Bollingbrook, IL)
Ranked #9 Overall by BlueStar and #15 Overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Named to the 2011 USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team on June 5, 2011. ... Member of the 2010 USA U17 World Championship Team that posted a perfect 8-0 record in the inaugural FIBA U17 World Championship; started five games and averaged 7.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in fewer than 18 minutes a game. ... USA Today All-USA second team (2010) and third team (2011). ... Attends Bolingbrook High School (Ill.), where in three varsity seasons, she has compiled 1,539 points, 652 rebounds and 97 assists and a 83-7 overall record. ... As a junior in 2010-11, averaged 20.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 62.4 percent from the field and 75.7 percent from the line as Bolingbrook posted a 29-2 record, its third straight Illinois Class 4A state title and a final No. 2 ranking in the USA Today Super 25. ... As a sophomore in 2009-10, started in all 30 games played and averaged 18.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game to help her team to a 29-1 record, the Illinois Class 4A state title and a No. 5 final ranking in the USA Today Super 25. ... As a freshman in 2008-09, started in 26 of 29 games played and averaged 18.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game to help Bolingbrook to a 25-4 record, a 4A state title and a No. 5 final ranking in the USA Today Super 25.

4/4 Connecticut Huskies (0-0)

Results: Connecticut 85, Pace 35
Player of the Game: Sr. G Tiffany Hayes (24p, 8r, 3a, 1s, 1b, 32m)
Def. Player of the Game: Fr. F Kiah Stokes (9dr, 1s, 3b, 22m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Kiah Stokes (9p, 13r, 1s, 3b, 22m)
Stat of the Game: Blocks: UConn 11, Pace 0

Summary: Playing without sharpshooters RJr. G Caroline Doty (2nd straight game) and Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis, the Huskies pulled away in the second half to coast to a 85-35 exhibition victory over Pace on tonight at the XL Center. They were led by Sr. G Tiffany Hayes who finshed with 24p, 8r, 3a in 32mins.

Game notes (pdf) for today's exhibition game vs. Pace Setters (DII).

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

4/4 Connecticut Huskies (0-0)

Results: Connecticut 89, Assumption 30
Player of the Game: Sr. G Tiffany Hayes (18p, 1r, 10a, 4s, 24m)
Def. Player of the Game: Jr. G Kelly Faris (4dr, 3s, 1b, 27m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis (17p, 3r, 3a, 4s, 21m)
Stat of the Game: A/TO Ratio: UConn 28/11, FPU 8/32

Summary: Tonight all 5 starters scored in double figues led by Sr. G Tiffany Hayes and Fr. W Kaleena M. Lewis as the Huskies cruised to a 89-30 exhibition victory over Assumption on Thursday night in Gampel Pavilion. They were joined by Jr. G Kelly Faris, So. C Stefanie Dolson (12p, 10r, 2a, 1s, 2b), and So. G Bria Hartley (13p, 7r, 6a, 4s). The Huskies dominated on the defensive side of the ball holding Assumption to just 27% shooting while turning them over 32 times (including 21 steals) and blocking 7 shots.

Game notes (pdf) for today's exhibition game vs. Assumption Greyhounds (DII).

Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 7:30pm (ET)
TV: none
Internet: HuskyVision
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

Number 4.

Today the 2011-12 Preseason ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll was released and UConn is ranked 4th (received two 1st place votes). Last week the 2011-12 Preseason AP Poll came out and UConn was also ranked 4th by the 40 national media member voters. The Baylor Lady Bears were picked 1st in both polls followed by Notre Dame 2nd and Tennessee 3rd while Stanford rounded out the top 5 in both polls in 5th.

The 2011-12 Preseason AP All-America Team was also announced today led by unianimous selection Baylor Jr. C Brittney Griner (40 votes). Joining Griner on the 5-member team is Stanford Sr. F Nnemkadi Ogwumike (37 votes), Notre Dame Jr. G Skylar Diggins (37 votes), Miami Sr. G Shenise Johnson (25 votes), and Tennessee Sr. W Shekinna Stricklen (21 votes). UConn Sr. G Tiffany Hayes and So. C Stefanie Dolson were named as 2011-12 Preseason AP All-America Honorable Mentions.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish were picked to win 2011-12 Big East Conference Regular Season Title in a poll voted on by the league coaches today at Big East Media Day in NYC. For only the second time since the 1992-93 season the Huskies were not selected as the favorite in the Big East. Notre Dame narrowly edged out UConn as the favorite with 219pts. to UConn's 216. The other time was in 2005-06 when Rutgers was picked to finish first in the Big East. Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins was unanimously selected as the 2011-12 Preseason Big East POTY while Connecticut's Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis was picked as the 2011-12 Preseason Big East FOTY. Due to a tie in voting, 12 players were named to the 2011-12 Preseason All Big East Team including Connecticut's Tiffany Hayes and Bria Hartley.

2011-12 Preseason BIG EAST Coaches’ Poll:
1. Notre Dame (9) 219
2. Connecticut (7) 216
3. Louisville 191
4. Rutgers 176
5. Georgetown 175
6. DePaul 152
7. St. John’s 145
8. Syracuse 123
9. West Virginia 108
10. South Florida 96
11. Marquette 92
12. Pittsburgh 62
13. Villanova 54
14. Providence 51
15. Cincinnati 38
16. Seton Hall 22

( ) - First-place votes

2011-12 Preseason Big East Player of the Year:
Jr. G Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame*

2011-12 Preseason Big East Freshman of the Year:
Fr. F Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Connecticut

2011-12 Preseason All-Big East Team^:
So. G Bria Hartley, Connecticut
Sr. G Tiffany Hayes, Connecticut
Sr. F Keisha Hampton, DePaul*
Jr. G Sugar Rodgers, Georgetown*
Sr. W Monique Reid, Louisville
So. G Shoni Schimmel, Louisville
Sr. G Natalie Novosel, Notre Dame
Sr. F Devereaux Peters, Notre Dame
Jr. G Shenneika Smith, St. John's
Sr. F Da'Shena Stevens, St. John's
Jr. C Kayla Alexander, Syracuse

* - unanimous selection
^ - additional member added due to voting tie

2011-12 Preseason All-Big East Honorable Mention:
So. C Stefanie Dolson, Connecticut
Sr. G Khadijah Rushdan, Rutgers
Sr. W April Sykes, Rutgers
Sr. G Andrea Smith, South Florida

2011-12 CPTV Broadcast Schedule (more may be added at a later date).


2011-12 UConn WCBB Media Day.

Today Coach John Wooden’s daughter, Nan Wooden, announced at the annual Wooden Award preseason tipoff luncheon that UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma will be presented with the 2012 John R. Wodden Legends of Coaching Award this coming April. Auriemma ranks as one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, with seven national titles, 12 Final Fours and four undefeated seasons, including 39-0 NCAA title-producing campaigns in 2009 and 2010. His all-time coaching record is 771-124 (.861/26 yrs), tops among active NCAA coaches and No. 2 all-time in win percentage. His all-time record in the NCAA tournament is an astounding 81-16 (.835/24 yrs.). Since Geno Auriemma arrived at UConn, all players who have exhausted their eligibility have graduated. He will coach the U.S. Olympic team next summer in London. UConn’s men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun was the Legends of Coaching winner in 2005; Connecticut is the only school with two recipients. Auriemma has coached the last three John R. Wooden Award women’s winners, Maya Moore (2009 and 2011) and Tina Charles (2010). Auriemma and Coach Wooden became linked in fans’ minds last year when Coach Wooden’s grandson, Greg Wooden, was on hand as the Huskies broke the Wooden-led UCLA consecutive win streak at 88 last December.

For those of you who cannot make it to this year's UConn First Night (myself included) should tune into Midnight Madness on ESPNU & ESPN3 on Friday, Oct. 14th from 9p-1a to catch highlights of all the action going on around the college basketball world including the UConn National Champion men's and UConn women's teams as ESPN analysts Doris Burke and Mark Jones will be broadcasting from Gampel Pavilion throughout the evening.

Today the UConn trio of Sr. G Tiffany Hayes, So. C Stefanie Dolson, and So G Bria Hartley were named to the 2011-12 John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top-30 list. For the last 3 seasons a UConn players has won the Wooden Award (Maya Moore in '09 & '11 and Tina Charles in '10). UConn leads the way along with Notre Dame by having 3 players named to the list and the Big East leads all conferences with a total of 9 players.

Congratulations...

to former UConn Stars Maya Moore and Charde Houston and the 2011 WNBA Champion Minnesota Lynx!!! Today they defeated the Atlanta Dream, 73-67 to sweep the WNBA Finals 3-0 en route to their franchises first-ever WNBA Title. Maya finished the game with 15p, 7r, 2a, and 1s in 28mins. while Charde did not play. Former LSU Star Seimone Augustus took home Finals MVP honors after averaging 24ppg in the series.