UConn women's basketball

UConn rising freshman Kelly Faris had six points, four rebounds and two steals in 14 minutes to help the U.S. to an 88-75 victory over France today in the quarterfinals of the FIBA U-19 World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.
The U.S. (6-1) will meet Canada (4-3), who upset previously undefeated Australia 50-49, in the semifinals Saturday at 6:30 a.m. EST. The gold medal game is scheduled for Sunday at 7 a.m. EST.

Rich

Let me say this one more time this summer: Aside from a sprain, there is nothing wrong with Maya Moore’s right knee. She met a small gathering of media members this morning at Gampel Pavilion and did not need crutches or a wheelchair to get around. She did not even walk with a limp.
Geno Auriemma said last weekend at halftime of the WNBA All-Star Game that she “is doing great.’’ Moore reiterated that fact today.
She has not played in four weeks and likely will not play for another four weeks just to give both knees some extended rest.
“I’m not going to be playing for a while,’’ Moore said. “Just to rest my sprain it has to be at least six weeks and I’m already on Week 4. But since I have a couple of weeks after that I might as well get some extra rest for both knees. I’ve been doing active rest. I’ve been doing some stuff on the bike and the elliptical just to keep my conditioning decent.’’

Moore said she did not see Olympian Tamika Catchings’ response on her live blog Wednesday on WNBA.com. To refresh here’s the question: “If you had to pick one player to start a franchise with today, who would it be and why?’’
And here’s what Catchings had to say: “I’m going to go to the college game on this one. I’d pick Maya Moore from the UConn Huskies because she’s going to be a phenomenal WNBA player, and I know people are going to love her.’’
Moore was taken aback by a compliment from a player of this stature. But it wasn’t long before she graciously delivered a response of her own.
“That’s definitely a great compliment coming from one of the best women’s basketball players in the world,’’ Moore said. “I think Tamika Catchings represents women’s basketball great. She’s a great role model. She carries herself well. She plays hard. She’s one of those players where if she gives you a compliment like that inside my inner child is jumping up and down. I definitely have a lot of respect for her.’’

Rich

UConn All-Americans Maya Moore and Tina Charles and sophomore Tiffany Hayes were named to the 25-member preseason Wade Watch List today. It is the second straight year the Huskies have placed three players on the list.

“I don’t really pay attention that much to the awards and all that stuff,’’ Moore said. “That’s probably why I look so overwhelmed at the end of the year when they start coming. But I don’t really pay attention during the season. I’m focused on our team and what’s going on with that. But it makes me proud to see my other teammates on here as well as and I probably get more expected for them than I do for myself.’’
Stanford also had three players on the list – Jayne Appel, Kayla Pedersen and Jeanette Pohlen.
Moore, a junior forward, won the Wade Trophy last season. The only two two-time winners are Seimone Augustus (2005, 2006) and Nancy Lieberman (1979, 1980).
The Wade Watch list is made up of the top Division I student-athletes who best embody the spirit of Lily Margaret Wade, from game and season statistics to leadership, character, the effect the player has on her team and overall playing ability.
The 2010 Wade Trophy recipient will be announced at the WBCA National Convention in San Antonio in April.

Rich

UConn coach Geno Auriemma is ranked No. 42 on Sporting News’ list of sports’ 50 greatest coaches of all-time, as selected by a panel of 118 Hall of Famers, championship coaches and other experts. The 14-page feature is part of the new Sporting News Magazine, which hits newsstands this week.
Auriemma, who has led the Huskies to six national championships, received the eighth-most votes among college basketball coaches. On the women’s side, only Pat Summitt ranked higher (No. 11).
UCLA’s John Wooden was the runaway No. 1 choice, picking up 57 first-place votes from SN’s panel, which includes seven World Series-winning managers, four Super Bowl champion coaches and the winningest coaches in the NBA, NHL and college basketball. Green Bay Packers great Vince Lombardi came in second place, picking up 20 first-place votes.
Here is the rest of the Top 10: 3. Bear Bryant (college football), 4. Phil Jackson (NBA), 5. Don Shula (NFL), 6. Red Auerbach (NBA), 7. Scotty Bowman (NHL), 8. Dean Smith (college basketball), 9. Casey Stengel (MLB) and 10. Knute Rockne (college football). And Nos. 11-20 …: 11. Summitt (women’s college basketball), 12. Paul Brown (NFL), 13. Joe Paterno (college football), 14. George Halas (NFL), 15. Chuck Noll (NFL), 16. Bob Knight (college basketball), 17. Joe Gibbs (NFL), 18. Tom Landry (NFL), 19. Mike Krzyzewski (college basketball) and 20. Bill Belichick (NFL).

SPORTING NEWS’ TOP 50 COACHES

1. John Wooden, college basketball
2. Vince Lombardi, NFL
3. Bear Bryant, college football
4. Phil Jackson, NBA
5. Don Shula, NFL
6. Red Auerbach, NBA
7. Scotty Bowman, NHL
8. Dean Smith, college basketball
9. Casey Stengel, MLB
10. Knute Rockne, college football
11. Pat Summitt, women’s college basketball
12. Paul Brown, NFL
13. Joe Paterno, college football
14. George Halas, NFL
15. Chuck Noll, NFL
16. Bob Knight, college basketball
17. Joe Gibbs, NFL
18. Tom Landry, NFL
19. Mike Krzyzewski, college basketball
20. Bill Belichick, NFL
21. Adolph Rupp, college basketball
22. Joe McCarthy, MLB
23. Eddie Robinson, college football
24. Bobby Bowden, college football
25. John McGraw, MLB
26. Bill Walsh, NFL
27. Woody Hayes, college football
28. Connie Mack, MLB
29. Bud Wilkinson, college football
30. Pat Riley, NBA
31. Pete Newell, college basketball
32. Joe Torre, MLB
33. Bill Parcells, NFL
34. Tom Osborne, college football
35. Walter Alston, MLB
36. Bo Schembechler, college football
37. Toe Blake, NHL
38. Sparky Anderson, MLB
39. Al Arbour, NHL
40. Amos Alonzo Stagg, college football
41. Tony La Russa, MLB
42. Geno Auriemma, women’s college basketball
43. Dick Irvin, NHL
44. Ara Parseghian, college football
45. Chuck Daly, NBA
46. Bobby Cox, MLB
47. Hank Iba, college basketball
48. Tommy Lasorda, MLB
49. Gregg Popovich, NBA
50. Herb Brooks, NHL

SPORTING NEWS’ PANEL

Richie Adubato
Joe Altobelli
Barry Alvarez
Bill Arnsparger
Leon Barmore
Frank Beamer
Jim Boeheim
Bobby Bowden
Scotty Bowman
Myles Brand
Marty Brennaman
Rich Brooks
Dale Brown
Larry Brown
Joe Bugel
Tom Cable
Bill Callahan
Randy Carlyle
Lou Carnesecca
Marino Casem
Al Cervi
John Cooper
Bruce Coslet
Tom Crean
Bobby Cremins
Romeo Crennel
Bill Curry
Michael Curry
Jim Delany
Doug Dickey
Gerry DiNardo
Anne Donovan
Vince Dooley
Homer Drew
Mike DuBose
LaVell Edwards
Bump Elliott
Pete Elliott
Ron Erhardt
Craig Esherick
Kirk Ferentz
Bill Fitch
Tom Flores
Jim Frey
Harry Gallatin
Dave Gavitt
Jerry Glanville
Dallas Green
Mike Gundy
Marv Harshman
Ernie Harwell
Jim Haslett
Whitey Herzog
Lou Holtz
Bob Huggins
Clint Hurdle
Don James
Eddie Khayat
Roy Kidd
Chuck Knox
Gary Kubiak
John Kundla
Tommy Lasorda
Frank Layden
Marv Levy
Marvin Lewis
Grady Little
Jack McKeon
Stump Merrill
Red Miller
Jim L. Mora
Terry Murray
Brent Musburger
Don Nehlen
Don Nelson
Rick Neuheisel
C.M. Newton
Tom Nissalke
Tom Osborne
Jack Pardee
Tom Penders
Ray Perkins
Richie Petitbon
Bum Phillips
Jack Ramsay
Dan Reeves
Andy Reid
Jerry Reinsdorf
Mark Richt
Scotty Robertson
Rich Rodriguez
Buck Rodgers
Dan Rooney
Sam Rutigliano
Bo Ryan
Mike Shanahan
Bill Sharman
Don Shula
R.C. Slocum
Steve Spurrier
Bob Stoops
Pat Summitt
Barry Switzer
Chuck Tanner
Vince Tobin
Jim Tressel
Fay Vincent
Dick Vitale
Joe Walton
Dave Wannstedt
Mike White
Lenny Wilkens
Dick Williams
Roy Williams
Mike Woodson
Sam Wyche
Ned Yost
John Ziegler

UConn rising freshman Kelly Faris had six points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 13 minutes to help the U.S. to a 109-68 victory over Japan today in its final second round game at the FIBA U-19 World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.
The U.S. (5-1) will meet France (3-3) in the medal quarterfinals Friday at 4:15 a.m. EST. The winner will meet either Australia (6-0) or Canada (3-3) in the semifinals Saturday at 6:30 a.m. EST.

Rich

UConn rising freshman Kelly Faris had two points (2-of-4 FT), one rebound and one steal in 11 minutes today as the U.S. earned a 75-56 victory over previously undefeated Russia in second-round play at the FIBA U-19 World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.
The U.S. held Russia to 26.3 percent shooting from the field and to just six points (3-of-19 FG) in the fourth quarter.
The U.S. (4-1) will complete the second round Wednesday against Japan (2-3) at 2 a.m. EST. It is guaranteed a spot in the medal quarterfinals Friday.
The tournament semifinals will be held Saturday and the final will be Sunday.

Rich

UConn rising freshman Kelly Faris had one rebound and one assist in 17 scoreless minutes today (0-of-3 FG) as the U.S. opened second-round play with a 64-50 victory over Canada at the FIBA U-19 World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand. Faris also drew her first start of the tournament.
Notre Dame-bound guard Skylar Diggins did not play due to illness.
The U.S. (3-1) will meet Russia (4-0) Tuesday at 4:15 a.m. EST and Japan Wednesday at 2 a.m. EST to close out the second round. The top four teams in each second-round group will advance to the medal quarterfinals July 31. The semifinals will be held Aug. 1 and the final will be Aug. 2.

Rich

Mark your calendar for Sept. 22 as UConn will celebrate the 2009 national championship. Join coach Geno Auriemma and the Huskies at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington for an evening of highlights and reflections from their perfect 39-0 season.

Formal invitations will be mailed in the coming weeks to current UConn Club members and women’s basketball season ticket holders.

Rich