And with the 11th pick in 2013 WNBA Draft the Connecticut Sun select...

 

Kelly Faris from the University of Connecticut

 

 

Victory Parade

The University of Connecticut women's basketball team partook in the Victory Parade around Bushnell Park in downtown Hartford Sunday afternoon. The parade was hosted by the Hartford Business Improvement District in an effort to congratulate the Huskies on winning the 2013 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship. The team tossed beads from the upper level of a double-decker bus to add a little New Orleans flavor to the even. Approximately 10,000 people turned out for the parade.

1-seed (3/3) Connecticut Huskies (35-4, 16-3 BE)

Results: Connecticut 93, Louisville 60
Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (23p, 9r, 3a, 3s, 3b, 30m)
Defensive Player of the Game: Sr. G Kelly Faris (8dr, 2s, 1b, 33m)
Freshman Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (23p, 9r, 3a, 3s, 3b, 30m)
Stat of the Game: 3pt. Shooting: UConn 13-26 (50%), Louisville 5-23 (21.7%)

Summary:  UConn is back on top. Led by Fr. Breanna Stewart, it might be a while before they relinquish that spot. Stewart scored 18 of her 23 points in a superb first half and Connecticut won its 8th NCAA WBB National Championship with a 93-60 rout of Louisville. It was the most lopsided victory in a title game (men's or women's). The title tied Auriemma and the Huskies with Pat Summitt and Tennessee for the most in women's basketball history. It might not take long for Auriemma to pass Summitt the way Stewart and the rest of his Huskies played. His star freshman was unstoppable, hitting shots from everywhere on the court to earn Most Outstanding Player honors for the Final Four (the first Fr. to win since 1987) after scoring a career-high 29pts. (most in Final 4 game by a Fr.) against Notre Dame in the National Semifinals on Sunday.

"The fact that I tied Pat Summitt's record puts you in the category of the greatest women's basketball coach that ever lived," Auriemma said. "I'm just thrilled for our seniors. This team accomplished an amazing feat this last month."

Senior Kelly Faris and 5th-year Seniors Caroline Doty/Heather Buck conclude their careers with their 2nd and 3rd NCAA titles, respectively. Faris was simply amazing in the Final 4 shutting down whomever she was in charge of guarding. Her defensive abilties and her heart/hustle is a thing of beauty. She will be missed by many (and by me especially). That girl is SPECIAL!!! I am so happy the world got to see just how special and that she got to go out on top. She is going to make some WNBA team very, very happy with their selection in this Monday's upcoming 2013 WNBA Draft.

The loss ended an unprecedented tournament run by Louisville. The Cardinals became the first No. 5 seed to make the championship game, pulling off the greatest upset in tournament history when they beat Brittney Griner and the defending champion Baylor Lady Bears in the regional semifinals. Jeff Walz's team then beat Tennessee in the regional final before topping Cal in the Final Four. The Cardinals just didn't have enough to beat their Big East foe. Louisville was trying to become just the second school to win both the men's and women's championship in the same season and the first since UConn in 2004.

2012-13 NCAA Women's Basketball National Champions!!!

2013 Final Four All-Tournament Team:
Sr. G Kelly Faris, Connecticut
Jr. G Bria Hartley, Connecticut 
So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Connecticut
Fr. F Breanna Stewart, Connecticut (Most Outstanding Player)
Jr. W Antonita Slaughter, Louisville

2013 WBCA All-Americans

Today UConn All-Americans Jr. C Stefanie Dolson and So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis were named to the 2013 WBCA Division I Coaches' All-America Team, which the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced today in a ceremony held at the New Orleans Arena during the 2013 NCAA® Women's Final Four® Super Saturday festivities. Baylor, Connecticut and Notre Dame each placed two players on the 10-member team which was decided from a group of 52 finalists by the selection committee at an in-person meeting held during the 2013 WBCA National Convention.

2013 WBCA Division I Coaches' All-America Team:
Sr. F Elena Delle Donne, Delaware
Sr. G Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame
Jr. C Stefanie Dolson, Connecticut
Jr. G Chelsea Grey, Duke
Sr. C Brittney Griner, Baylor
Jr. G Kayla McBride, Notre Dame
So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Connecticut
Jr. F Chiney Ogwumike, Stanford
Jr. G Odyssey Sims, Baylor
Jr. F Alyssa Thomas, Maryland

The 2013 Women's NCAA Tournament #1 Seeds:

1a. Baylor Lady Bears (Oklahoma City)

1b. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Norfolk)

1c. Connecticut Huskies (Bridgeport)

1d. Stanford Cardinal (Spokane)


The 1-seed Connecticut Huskies will face 16-seed WAC Champion Idaho (17-15) at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT on Saturday, March 23 at 1:30pm (ET) on ESPN2.

2012-13 Big East Awards part 1

The UConn women's basketball team had six Huskies earn postseason Big East honors as announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon. Sr. G Kelly Faris was selected the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and shared the Most Improved Player of the Year award with DePaul's So. G Brittany Hrynko, while also earning a seat on the All-Big East 2nd Team. UConn So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis was a unanimous All-Big East 1st Team Selection and was joined on the 1st Team by Jr. C Stefanie Dolson. Additionally, Jr. G Bria Hartley and Fr. F Breanna Stewart were named All-Big East Honorable Mention. Stewart and Fr. G Moriah Jefferson were selected to the Big East All-Freshman Team.

2012-13 Big East Women's Basketball Postseason Honors:

Big East Defensive Player of the Year:
Sr. G Kelly Faris, Connecticut

Big East Sixth Man Award:
Sr. G Carmen Tyson-Thomas, Syracuse

Big East Most Improved Player:
Sr. G Kelly Faris, Connecticut
So. G Brittany Hrynko, DePaul

Big East Sportsmanship Award:
Sr. G Anna Martin, DePaul

All-Big East First Team^:
Jr. C Stefanie Dolson, Connecticut
So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Connecticut*
So. G Brittany Hrynko, DePaul
Sr. G Sugar Rodgers, Georgetown
Jr. G Shoni Schimmel, Louisville
Jr. F Natalie Achonwa, Notre Dame
Sr. G Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame*
Jr. G Kayla McBride, Notre Dame
Sr. G Nadirah McKenith, St. John’s
Sr. W Shenneika Smith, St. John’s
Sr. G Andrea Smith, South Florida*
Sr. C Kayla Alexander, Syracuse

All-Big East Second Team
RJr. G Dayeesha Hollins, Cincinnati
Sr. G Kelly Faris, Connecticut
Sr. F Katherine Harry, DePaul
Sr. G Anna Martin, DePaul
Jr. G Antonita Slaughter, Louisville
Jr. F Katherine Plouffe, Marquette
Sr. G Symone Roberts, Providence
Sr. G Brittany Morris, Seton Hall
Sr. G Andrell Smith, South Florida
Sr. F Laura Sweeney, Villanova

All-Big East Honorable Mention:
Jr. G Bria Hartley, Connecticut
Fr. F Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
Fr. G Jewell Loyd, Notre Dame
So. G Brianna Kiesel, Pittsburgh
Sr. G Erica Wheeler, Rutgers

Big East All-Freshman Team:
Fr. G Moriah Jefferson, Connecticut
Fr. F Breanna Stewart, Connecticut*
RFr. G Chanise Jenkins, DePaul
Fr. G Brooklyn Pumroy, Marquette
Fr. G Jewell Loyd, Notre Dame*
Fr. G Aliyyah Handford, St. John’s*
Fr. G Kahleah Copper, Rutgers
Fr. G Brianna Butler, Syracuse
Fr. G Brittney Sykes, Syracuse*
Fr. F Alisia Jenkins, South Florida

* - unanimous selection
^ - extra members added due to voting ties

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Providence Friars (7-16, 2-8 BE).

Location: Alumni Hall (Providence, RI)
Time: 7:00pm (ET)
TV: SNY
Internet: SNY.tv
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

3/2 Connecticut Huskies (22-1, 9-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 91, DePaul 44
Player of the Game: Jr. C Stefanie Dolson (23p, 5r, 6a, 24m)
Def. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (6dr, 1s, 1b, 21m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (9p, 9r, 1a, 1s, 1b, 21m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 44, DePaul 12

Summary: Missing two days of practice because of heavy snow, the Huskies made sure not to get cold on the court by getting cold outside it - with a snowball fight. UConn All-American candidate Jr. C Stefanie Dolson scored 23pts. to lead the Huskies' to a 91-44 rout of DePaul. The game drew 8,861 fans, despite 30 inches of snow that fell in the area Friday and Saturday. Weather-related travel delays kept DePaul in Chicago until Sunday morning, and the team didn't reach the arena until about 1 hour, 15 minutes before the 3:30 p.m. start.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. DePaul Blue Demons (17-6, 6-3 BE).

Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)
Time: 3:30pm (ET)
TV: ESPNU
Internet: ESPN3 (subject to blackout)
Mobile: WatchESPN
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

3/2 Connecticut Huskies (21-1, 8-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 94, Marquette 37
Player of the Game: So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (22p, 6r, 5a, 2s, 23m)
Def. Player of the Game: Sr. G Kelly Faris (5dr, 5s, 1b, 27m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (10p, 7r, 2a, 2s, 3b, 24m)
Stat of the Game: Fast Break Pts.: UConn 33, Marquette 2 

Summary: When it rains, it pours. And not only did poor Marquette get to face UConn twice, but also got to face the nation's top 3pt. shooter twice. UConn All-American candidate So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis light up the first half on 7-7 shooting and 5-5 from deep while outscoring Marquette all by herself 19 to 17 to led UConn to a blowout win over the Golden Eagles, 94-37. UConn All-American Jr. G Bria Hartley had her best game of the season finishing with 20pts. while tying her career-high with 5 3pt. FGs made. UConn played without backup So. G Brianna Banks, who will miss the remainder of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right leg. Banks suffered the injury during the first half of the Huskies' 71-65 victory over St. John's on Saturday. The school released the diagnosis on Monday and said surgery would be scheduled in the coming weeks. Banks (Newnan, GA) had been averaging 7.3 points and 1.7 assists in just over 17 minutes per game. She was shooting 47.9 percent from the field. We wish you all the best and are praying for a full and healthy recovery.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. Marquette Golden Eagles (11-10, 3-5 BE).

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

Today UConn All-American candidate Sr. G Kelly Faris was named one of 8 additional student-athletes to the 2012-13 State Farm® Wade Trophy "Wade Watch" list announced by the WBCA. Joining the preseason list of 25 "Wade Watch" hopefuls are Kelsey Bone of Texas A&M, Gennifer Brandon and Layshia Clarendon of California, Faris, Tianna Hawkins of Maryland, Chelsea Hopkins of San Diego State, Niveen Rasheed of Princeton, and Meighan Simmons of Tennessee.The State Farm Wade Watch list will be trimmed to 12 finalists in mid-March. State Farm and the Wade Trophy Coalition will officially announce the State Farm Wade Trophy winner during the WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four® in New Orleans. Faris joins fellow UConn teammates Jr. C Stefanie Dolson, Jr. G Bria Hartley, and So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis who were named to the "Wade Watch" list in the preseason. UConn leads all schools with 4 candidates.

3/2 Connecticut Huskies (20-1, 7-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 71, St. John's 65
Player of the Game: So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (19p, 10r, 2a, 1b, 38m)
Def. Player of the Game: So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (9dr, 1b, 38m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Morgan Tuck (7p, 5r, 1a, 23m)
Stat of the Game: Free Throws: UConn 19-25, SJU 6-9

Summary: Playing without UConn All-American Jr. C Stefanie Dolson (illness), the Huskies got more than they could handle from St. John's for 36mins. However, in the last 4mins. of the game UConn All-Americans Sr. G Kelly Faris (17pts./5rebs.) and So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (19pts./10rebs.) made all the big plays on offense as UConn narrowly edged the Red Storm, 71-65. UConn So. C Kiah Stokes (7p/4r/1a/1s/2b/15m) got her 1st-career start in play of Dolson and came up big at the end of the game, grabbing some huge rebounds to help the Huskies escape Queens with a victory. UConn Fr. F Morgan Tuck also came up big for the Huskies and was UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma's choice to play the final mins. of the game when the game was on the line over fellow frosh Breanna Stewart (which says a lot). UConn So. G Brianna Banks left the game in the 1st half after injuring her right knee. The injury is being listed as a sprain at this point. She is schedule to have a MRI exam on Monday in order to find out the severity of the sprain.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at St. John's Red Storm (10-9, 4-3 BE).

Location: Lou Carneseca Arena (Queens, NY)
Time: 2:00pm (ET)
TV: Big East Network/SNY
Internet: SNY.tv
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

3/2 Connecticut Huskies (19-1, 6-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 76, Villanova 43
Player of the Game: So. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (19p, 4r, 5a, 1b, 24m)
Def. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (4dr, 2s, 3b, 21m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (14p, 6r, 3a, 2s, 3b, 21m)
Stat of the Game: Pts. in the Paint: UConn 30, Villanova 14

Summary: UConn went more than 7 1/2 minutes without a field goal against Villanova and still beat the Wildcats by 33 points. UConn All-American candidate Jr. C Stefanie Dolson led the way with 20pts. and 8rebs as the Huskies easily routed Villanova, 76-43. UConn All-American candidate So. W Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis added 19pts., hitting five of her six 3-pointers. She now lead the nation in 3pt. FG percentage. UConn All-American candidate Fr. F Breanna Stewart chipped in 14pts. and 6rebs. off the bench for the Huskies.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game vs. ARV/ARV Villanova Wildcats (16-3, 5-1 BE).

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 was named the Big East Freshman of the Week for the third time in her career after averaging 11.5ppg and 6.0rpg in a 2-0 week for the Huskies, which included a win over No. 4/4 Duke and a league victory at Cincinnati. Stewart had 13 points, five rebounds and three blocks while shooting 71 percent against the Blue Devils. Against the Bearcats, she had 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

3/2 Connecticut Huskies (18-1, 5-1 BE)

Results: Connecticut 67, Cincinnati 31
Player of the Game: Jr. C Stefanie Dolson (15p, 5r, 2a, 1s, 1b, 25m)
Def. Player of the Game: Jr. C Stefanie Dolson (4dr, 1s, 1b, 25m)
Fr. Player of the Game: Fr. F Breanna Stewart (10p, 7r, 2a, 1b, 22m)
Stat of the Game: Rebounds: UConn 49, Cincy 28 

Summary: Third-ranked UConn knew this was a bad matchup for one of its former players and coaches. Then again, anytime one of Geno Auriemma's former assistants tests the Huskies, it's a predictable outcome. Connecticut always wins. Stefanie Dolson scored 15 points in limited time on Saturday night, and Connecticut's tough, physical defense allowed only a season-low 9pts. in the first half, setting up a very easy 67-31 victory over Cincinnati. UConn is 8-0 all-time against Cincinnati, winning by 21, 10, 37, 31, 31, 34, 43, and 36 points. Cincinnati Head Coach Jamelle Elliott, a former UConn player and assistant to Auriemma, fell to 0-4 against her former team. Auriemma has never lost to a former player or coach.

Game notes (pdf) for today's game at Cincinnati Bearcats (8-10, 0-5 BE).

Location: Fifth Third Arena (Cincinnati, OH)
Time: 8:00pm (ET)
TV: SNY
Internet: SNY.tv
Radio: UConn Radio Network/WTIC
Live Stats: GameTracker

Today the U.S. Basketball Writers Association named UConn All-American candidate Jr. C Stefanie Dolsonas its Ann Meyers Drysdale Women's National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, Jan. 20. The USBWA's weekly honor will be handed out each Tuesday through Feb. 19 this season. As the BIG EAST Conference Player of the Week, Dolson was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by a representative of the USBWA board of directors from a list of Division I conference players of the week. Dolson averaged 20.5ppg , 8.0rpg and 4.5apg while shooting 60 percent from the field in two games. She had 16 points and nine rebounds in a 72-58 win over then-No. 15 Louisville while shooting 8-11 from the field in the first of two wins by the No. 3 Huskies. Dolson followed up with a career-high 25 points, added seven rebounds and dealt six assists against Syracuse while also becoming the 36th UConn player to reach 1,000 career points in the 87-62 win.