UConn women's basketball

Sophomore All-American Maya Moore was named to the five-member 2009 CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-America First Team, which was announced late Monday.She is the first UConn women’s basketball player to receive such status since Jennifer Rizzotti in 1996.
Former men’s basketball All-American Emeka Okafor was the last UConn student-athlete to be named to the ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team (2003, 2004).
Moore’s selection marks the sixth time a member of the UConn women’s basketball program has earned first-team Academic All-America status and the ninth time a UConn player has been named to any of the Academic All-America teams (first, second or third team).
Moore, who boasts a 3.74 GPA, was the only sophomore named to the team.
Earlier this season Moore became the fastest UConn player to reach 1,000 career points, taking just 55 games. She currently leads the No. 1 ranked and undefeated Huskies in scoring (19.6 ppg) and rebounds (9.3).
As a freshman Moore became the first freshman in BIG EAST Conference history — male or female — to be named the conference Player of the Year. She also was a unanimous All-America choice last season and is a leading candidate to earn National Player of the Year honors this season.
Moore has scored double-figure points in 63 of 65 career games and had posted 25 career double-doubles.
Joining Moore on the 2009 CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-America First Team are Megan Frazee (Liberty/3.91 GPA), Paige Guffey (Murray State/3.97 GPA), Theresa Lisch (Saint Louis/3.95 GPA) and 2009 Academic All-America of the Year Amber Guffey (Murray State/3.97 GPA).
To be eligible for the CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-America Team, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Rich

Surging freshman Tiffany Hayes was named the Big East Freshman of the Week today for the second straight week and the third time in the last four weeks overall. She averaged 12.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in wins over Providence and Notre Dame last week.
Hayes had 15 points and nine rebounds in a 75-39 victory at Providence Feb. 18 and finished with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 76-66 victory over then-No. 24 Notre Dame Sunday. She has started the last six games, reaching double-figures in scoring in four straight games and in eight of the last nine overall.
Kandice Green of Seton Hall is the only other freshman in the conference that has also been honored three times this season.

UConn’s Dean’s List student-athletes will be honored during a brief ceremony at halftime of tomorrow’s game against Villanova. A team spokesman confirmed today that Heather Buck, Tina Charles, Meghan Gardler, Cassie Kerns and Maya Moore will each be recognized.
Each player had at least a 3.0 grade point average during the fall semester.

Rich

There weren’t any fireworks during Geno Auriemma’s postgame press conference today. He did not have to face any direct questions regarding the state’s estimated $944 million deficit and his lucrative contract.
Auriemma, who is earning $1.4 million from July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009, did comment on the questions pertaining to this topic that were posed to UConn men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun in the same building Saturday by freelance writer and political activist Ken Krayeske. He admitted that he has never had to face such scrutiny.
“There were a couple times in the last four years when my wife asked me that because she didn’t think we were playing a lot of fun basketball and exciting basketball,’’ Auriemma said. “And she suggested I take a pay cut. But I’ve never had anybody ask me that kind of question after a basketball game.’’
Krayeske attacked Calhoun with questions concerning his $1.6 million salary and his endorsement deals. Calhoun was initially playful initially, but when Krayeske persisted Calhoun began yelling back at him.
Auriemma said he did not believe it to be a fair line of questioning in that particular setting. He also felt that Calhoun handled himself well considering the circumstances.
“You come in and you ask somebody, `Hey, how was attacking the zone or how was their offense different?’ You’re just not prepared for it probably,’’ Auriemma said. “So it’s probably a little bit of a stunner. To have it happen in this setting I don’t think I’d wish that on anybody. I’m sure Jim was thrown for a loop and I’m sure he handled it better than most coaches would handle it. I would not have wanted to be that guy 20 years ago and asked Jim that question. So I think Jim handled it pretty well if you ask me.’’
Krayeske has a history of creating a public stir. He was arrested for disrupting Governor M. Jodi Rell’s inaugural parade Jan. 3, 2007 and charged with breach of peace and interfering with an officer. The charges were ultimately dropped.
“I would even go so far as to say it’s unfair to ask someone who’s worked that hard to get to where they are and insinuate that they don’t deserve it,’’ Auriemma said. “I think it’s unfair in this setting and I would venture to say it’s unfair in any setting. How do you answer questions about money, about your personal life. I’ve never met (Krayeske) and I don’t know who he is. I’m glad he got out of jail when he got arrested, but maybe he got out too soon. He should’ve waited until after basketball season.’’

Huskies’ recruits Stefanie Dolson, a 6-foot-5 center from Port Jervis, N.Y. who gave an oral commitment in December, and Bria Hartley, a 5-10 guard from North Babylon, N.Y. who is considered the top point guard in the Class of 2010, were on hand at the XL Center today.
Geno is expected to travel to watch Hartley practice Wednesday. A source said she is trying to find an opening in her schedule to make an unoffical visit to UConn, when she will definitely be offered a scholarship.

Rich

Throughout the course of this season Kalana Greene never believed that her decision of whether or not to return for a fifth year was that big of a deal. She said she hardly put great thought into as the top-ranked UConn women’s basketball continued its drive toward it sixth national championship.
It wasn’t until more and more members of the media and those closest to continued to probe for an answer. Her father, Addison, asked her recently if he should buy a suit to wear to Senior Night Feb. 28 against Seton Hall at the XL Center or should he just wear a UConn shirt and his hat.
These types of situations alerted Greene to the magnitude of her decision. And Thursday she made it official by informing Huskies coach Geno Auriemma that she will return to UConn next season. She informed the media following practice today at Gampel Pavilion.
“I talked to my parents after the Pittsburgh game (Sunday),’’ Greene said. “I love being at college. I love playing basketball in college at this university and I’m not ready to leave yet. It’s a relief. I don’t have to think about it any more. I’m happy.’’
Greene, a 5-foot-10 guard, was afforded the opportunity to apply for a medical hardship waiver after suffering a season-ending knee injury after playing in just eight games last season. She will graduate in May, and is considering enrolling in graduate school or taking on a double-major.
Greene will not participate in Senior Night festivities along with fellow classmates Renee Montgomery, Tahirah Williams and Cassie Kerns. Her decision came of little surprise to Auriemma and the majority of her teammates. It was one that had little to do with where she would potentially be selected in the WNBA draft April 9.
“I think Kalana’s doing what she has probably thought she was going to do all year long,’’ Auriemma said. “I don’t think there was a time when she was convinced that she was going to be leaving Connecticut and go on to the next thing in her life. And in the end she’s doing what she wants to do because she thinks it’s in her best interests and I couldn’t agree with her more.’’
The only UConn player this decade to pass on an opportunity to return for a fifth season was Nicole Wolff following the 2005-06 season.
Greene is averaging 8.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 23.5 minutes through the first 26 games for the undefeated Huskies. She has started every game this season and is third in the Big East in field goal percentage (.584).
“I’m just extremely excited,’’ sophomore All-American Maya Moore said. “I was going to be as hopeful as possible and I’m just so glad to know that I get to play around her for one more year, to compete with her for one more year, to get better from her. I think she brings the right mind-set. She’s unselfish. She’s aggressive. She realizes that leadership is important and she tries to do her part as much as she can.’’
Returning for a fifth year will grant Greene the opportunity to fully focus on improving her game during the off-season. This was something that she did have last year when she underwent two more surgical procedures on her knee.
With just one recruit coming in next season, Greene’s talent and experience will be invaluable to the Huskies.
“I see myself from my injury to now how much I’ve progressed,’’ Greene said. “And from the end of this season to the beginning of next season I want to become a lot better player. I think last summer as far getting better as a basketball player I didn’t really have that time because however many hours of the day was just focused on walking right, running right, strengthening. So this summer I want to be completely back to where I’m completely working on everything that I’m not good at and getting better and everything that I’m good at polishing it.’’

A recruiting source said today that Geno offered Lauren Engeln, a 5-11 junior guard from Laguna Hills, Calif., a scholarship during her unofficial visit last weekend.
Fellow Class of 2010 Huskies’ recruits Stefanie Dolson, a 6-foot-5 center from Port Jervis, N.Y. who gave an oral commitment to attend UConn Christmas Day, and Bria Hartley, a 5-10 guard from North Babylon, N.Y., are expected to be in attendance at tomorrow’s game against No. 24 Notre Dame at the XL Center.
Geno is expected to travel to watch Hartley practice Wednesday.
Michala Johnson, a 6-3 forward from Lombard, Ill., is expected to make an unofficial visit next month.
The Huskies are also said to be interested in Laurin Mincy, a 5-10 guard from Newark, N.J.

Rich

Nothing has been easy for Jessica McCormack when it’s come to correcting the problem with her right Achilles tendon. She tried every means of rehabilitation possible while she was at UConn. She even tried to practice for a couple days in December. Still, there was no progress.
Jessica finally decided to have surgery, which had always been the last resort. Still, she continues to experience problems. Her first surgery, which was scheduled for Feb. 11, was postponed when she contracted a throat infection during her flight home to New Zealand.
The surgery was rescheduled for this past Monday. Again, it did not happen. This time she at least made it as far as receiving an anesthetic before running into a major roadblock.
“Surgery didn’t go quite as planned,’’ Jessica said in an e-mail. “I had a massive reaction to the anesthetic and ended up in ICU. I am going in for the surgery under local anesthetic in about a week to give me some time to recover.’’
The procedure is expected to be one that cleans up the area surrounding the Achilles. Jessica has plenty of time at this point to get back into playing condition. Because she was not on campus for one full academic year after transferring from Washington she is not eligible to play for the Huskies until the end of the 2009 fall semester in December.

Rich

Being named a McDonald’s All-American is big-time when it comes to a high school senior. You are considered one of the top 24 players in the country. You get to play in a big-time arena on national television.
Kelly Faris, a 5-foot-11 UConn-bound guard from Plainfield, Ind., certainly reached the level of big-time Wednesday night when she was named a McDonald’s All-American. But this is nothing new to Huskies coach Geno Auriemma, who knew she was something special when he was recruiting this unselfish, humble, respectful gamer.
“The McDonald’s people have picked a really good player,’’ Auriemma said. “Nobody thought Kelly Faris was the kind of player that would be on the Under-18 national team but she went out to trials and played herself onto that team. When people give her a chance to play and put her in those scenarios I think she proves to everyone that she belongs. Being an All-American is a lot more than being the player that scores the most points. She does all the little things that good teams like. The coaches like the kind of things that she does. We didn’t recruit her because she’s averaging 30 points per game. We recruited her because she’s a real good basketball player who is going to add a lot to what we’re doing. It’s a great honor for her and the humble kid that she is I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.’’
Faris is averaging 14.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.7 steals and 1.8 blocks for Heritage Christian this season and is looking to lead the team to its fourth straight state AA championship.
The McDonald’s game will be held at the Bank United Center in Miami April 1. It will be televised live on ESPNU at 5:30 p.m. Kelly will compete on the East team.
“I am very excited and honored to be selected to the team,’’ she said. “This is going to be a great experience and it is always so much fun to play with the best of the best players. I have been blessed with a great opportunity and I plan on making the most out of it.’’
Huskies’ sophomore All-American Maya Moore knows a little something about playing in these types of games. She had 18 points, six rebounds, two blocks and three steals in the 2007 McDonald’s game at Louisville’s Freedom Hall.
Maya passed along some advice to Kelly about taking part in the festivities.
“Just soak in everything for every event they have planned for you,’’ Moore said. “Don’t be shy, don’t be nervous, don’t hold back. Make sure you enjoy everything. It’s something you can always look back on. In college you’ll play against some players, watch others on TV and it’s a great
connection with your class.’’
Kelly said she is going to try to heed Maya’s advice and “just take it all in.’’

Rich

Kalana Greene is still undecided as to exactly what she plans to do after the season. She will either make herself eligible for the WNBA draft or she will opt to return for a fifth year and complete her eligibility at UConn. If the last week is any indication as to what she should do, my vote is that she stays in Storrs one more year.
Kalana went scoreless for the second time in three games Wednesday at Providence. I know there are more accomplished scorers on the team like All-Americans Maya Moore and Renee Montgomery, Tina Charles and blossoming star Tiffany Hayes. But to take just one shot in 21 minutes is mesmerizing.
Her only shot was a missed layup with 1:11 left in the first half. At least she fired up eight shots at St John’s Feb. 11 when she failed to score in 24 minutes. Kalana did contribute four rebounds, one assist and one steal and did not commit a turnover against the Friars. But she needs to be involved offensively every game.
Kalana was coming off of her first double-double of the season – 11 points, 11 rebounds in 30 minutes –against Pittsburgh Sunday. And she had posted five double-digit scoring efforts in the previous six games, including a season-high four straight at one point. It appeared that she had turned that corner and was ready to be a reliable entity at the offensive end every time she stopped on the floor.
However, Wednesday’s performance at Alumni Hall only fortified what has been a guessing game. At this point in her career she should not be putting up zeros in the scoring column.
“That’s Kalana,’’ coach Geno Auriemma said. “Sometimes it just doesn’t click for her. As well as she played (Sunday against Pittsburgh), I don’t know that her energy level was as high (Wednesday) as it was the other day. And I can’t put my finger on it, but sometimes that happens. I don’t think she was really alert on the defensive end either. She made a couple mistakes you would think she wouldn’t make and hasn’t made. But it looked like she never really got her arms wrapped around the game. It was just one of those nights. And she didn’t get a lot of opportunities either. And again, I think that’s going to happen some times when we shoot too quickly. You’re not going to get many opportunities.’’

Rich

UConn-bound recruit Kelly Faris, a 5-foot-11 guard from Plainfield, Ind., was selected as one of 24 McDonald’s All-Americans tonight.
Faris will be a member of the 12-member East team. The game will be held at the Bank United Center in Miami April 1.

Three pairs of pink sneakers, resembling those that were worn by the Huskies against Pittsburgh Sunday, and the pink sneakers that Geno Auriemma wore during the game will be auctioned off tonight through Feb. 25. Fans can place a bid at www.genoscancerteam.org.
Geno has autographed his sneakers. The other pairs of sneakers come in a box that has been autographed by the entire team and the coaching staff.

Rich