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The day had been one that UConn point guard Caroline Doty had been anticipating for months. She was set to be examined by team doctor Robert Arciero one final time Friday. It was only a formality.

Doty, who missed the 2010-11 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, was on target to be fully cleared to resume all basketball activities. She had plans to join her teammates in full-court pick-up games that night. Her plans will now be placed on hold.

It was announced Wednesday that Doty, who underwent surgery Aug. 31, 2010, suffered a sprained left knee while playing halfcourt. There is currently no timetable when she will be cleared. However, an MRI revealed that all ligaments are intact.

“Caroline Doty is making progress back from her third ACL injury,’’ UConn team doctor Tom Trojian said in a statement. “She had normal biomechanical testing and good strength. She stepped wrong playing half-court basketball and sprained her knee.

“We are being extra cautious and slowing her progression back. We do not have a defined timetable for her return to full unsupervised activity, but our goal of having her ready to play for the start of the 2011-12 season remains unchanged.’’

Doty was slated to receive an early test with the Huskies able to practice Aug. 6-15 and then in four games during their trip to Italy and Greece Aug. 16-26. It is unknown at this point whether or not Doty will be able to participate at that time.

Two ACL tears during her career at UConn have forced Doty to miss 60 of a possible 116 games. She also tore the ACL in her left knee during her senior year at Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, Pa.

In her only full season with the Huskies in 2009-10, Doty averaged 6.8 points, 3.5 assists and 25.3 minutes in 39 games (38 starts). She was second on the team in assists and made 3-pointers (49).

Rich

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UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma is involved with many endeavors. There might not be one that he likes being a part of more than his Fore the Kids Golf Tournament at Hartford Golf Club.

The event is now in its ninth year. It has raised nearly one million dollars to benefit the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. And that figure is certain to rise after another impressive turnout Monday.

“I don’t think there’s anything that I do that I enjoy more,’’ Auriemma said. “The people that I’ve met here over the years, and they keep coming back, keep coming back. And for us to have more than 200 golfers and a waiting list … I met a guy today who was desperate to get in because his (grandson) is 2 years old and being treated at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.’’

There were 204 golfers that participated in the 18-hole charity event Monday. UConn associate head coach Chris Dailey was among those on hand. The UConn players also spent some time at the event, mingling with participants.

Aside from a round of golf, the event also featured a dinner catered by Outback Restaurant of Manchester as well as a raffle and auction. Among the top-end prizes were a big screen television and golf clubs.

More than $80,000 was raised last year for the Division of Orthopaedics at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. This enabled the facility to invest in an orthopaedic surgical table, which permits surgeons to perform complex procedures such as spinal surgeries or hip replacements with minimally invasive alternatives. Children experience less post-operative pain as a result. They are also at a decreased risk for infection and their recovery time is significantly reduced.

“Anybody who thinks that what we do here is going to make the difference … That’s not why we’re doing it,’’ Auriemma said. “But I think it’s going to have a little bit of an impact, I hope. Whether it’s $100,000 or $150,000 or $200,000, whatever we do … A lot of these people here have a lot of money. They could go anywhere they want. They could support any tournament they want. They could be anywhere today and they’re here. And I think that says a lot about the organization and Hartford Golf Club and the way they do things here and the opportunity to play this golf course and to be part of all this. It’s amazing. I get goose bumps when I think about all those little kids. Now that I have a grandson … I can’t imagine when he’s 2 and he’s got to be … Kids that age being treated for cancer.’’

The tournament begins what will be another busy stretch for Auriemma. He will head to Poland Tuesday for the European Championships.

Auriemma will arrive in time to attend the quarterfinal, semifinal and final rounds.

“I was thinking of this the other day,’’ Auriemma said. “I said, `This is pretty cool. I’m going over there to see some of the best players in the world playing for their country. God, I hope there’s a 17 year old playing over there … But that never happens. You never find those kids out there.’’

Auriemma will return from Poland July 4, two days before the official start of the national recruiting period. The first period runs July 6-15, while the second period runs July 22-31.

The Huskies will be permitted to practice Aug. 6-15 before their trip to Europe Aug. 16-26. UConn is currently scheduled to play four games, one in Italy Aug. 18 and three in Greece Aug. 21, 23 and 25.

Auriemma also discussed the make-up of the Big East schedule once TCU officially enters the conference in the fall of 2012. As far as he is concerned the schedule will move from 16 to 18 games.

The Big East men already play an 18-game schedule.

“I didn’t hear one word discussed about (two) divisions. Not one,’’ Auriemma said. “Everyone seemed to understand that we have 16 games now. Now you have 17 teams. Playing everybody once and that’s 16 (games). I would bet you if you asked every coach they would say, `Yeah, that’s a great of idea. Let’s play everybody once and that’s 16 games.’ That’s not going to happen because that means you only play certain big games once. So if CBS is doing our Notre Dame game at Notre Dame and ESPN says, `We want one more Notre Dame game.’ What are going to say, `No?’ So now that’s 17. OK, well, 17 games. Is that a good number? No. Because you want 16 or 18. So now all of a sudden you throw another one in there, whatever that may be, whoever that may be down the road. Who knows? So I don’t think 16 is an option based on what I’ve heard of how TV wants to promote our league. We’ve already got the best league in the country. Why would we want to go backwards? Eighteen is a lot more logical than 16.’’

Auriemma said he expects a decision to be made by next spring.

The Big East is currently weighing its options to learn where the ideal location is to hold the conference tournament moving forward. It has been at the XL Center since 2004.

Hartford seems like the locale to continue to host the event. Auriemma, though, pointed out that it is not a sure thing for 2012.

“I think there’s a bunch of reasons why it might not be there,’’ Auriemma said. “I’ve always said if it’s going to cost you money or you’re not going to be able to make a lot of money to help your conference then why have a tournament? So if we’re going to have a tournament and we’re going to have it in Hartford then it has to be financially viable for us, or they owe it to themselves to look some place where it’s going to be better. So if the XL Center and the people of Hartford and downtown … If they make it so that we can’t have it anywhere else but there because that’s where it makes the most sense and financially it works and the support is there and all that, then it’ll be there. If someone else comes up with a better offer and a better plan then we should move it. We would make a hell of a lot more money if we went to Mohegan (Sun Casino). But we’ve got a couple of presidents that don’t want to have it there for whatever reason. And there was a lot of discussion. Where do we go? `Let’s go to Florida for three or four days or five days.’ `OK, are you going to be able to get 10,000 people in Florida to come to the Big East tournament?’ I don’t know. `Let’s go to Louisville.’ `Are you going to be able to get 10,000 people to come to Louisville?’ Maybe. Maybe not. There’s a lot of talk about, well, you want people to travel. Well, the onus is on the other Big East schools. Buy their tickets. Sell their tickets and make them responsible for those people coming to the games. Or instead of 17 (teams) you go with 12.’’

Rich

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Former UConn star Maya Moore became the second athlete to twice win the Honda-Broderick Cup Monday, which annually recognizes the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. She is the first to win the award in consecutive years, with former Florida swimmer and Olympic gold medalist Tracy Caulkins winning 1982 and 1984.

Villanova distance runner Sheila Reid and Penn State volleyball player Blair Brown were the other finalists for the award, which is now in its 35th year of existence.

Moore was selected as the winner through a voting process that consisted of almost 1,000 NCAA member schools and the Board of Directors of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards Program. Moore shared the award last year with Penn State volleyball player Megan Hodge.

Moore had a career record of 150-4 at UConn. She led the Huskies to two national championships, four Final Four appearances and an NCAA record 90-game winning streak. She is the only three-time Wade Trophy winner, one of two players that were named a first team All-American by The Associated Press four times and finished fourth all-time with 3,036 career points.

The Minnesota Lynx selected Moore with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft in April. She is currently averaging 13.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 28.6 minutes in eight games with the Lynx.

Rich

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It is the number that has been worn most in the history of the program. Rita Williams wore it. So did All-American Swin Cash.

But the most recognized player in team history to wear the No. 23 is, of course, Maya Moore. She is one of the greatest players to ever play the game, one that is destined to be a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team.

Freshman Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis will become the 12th player to wear No. 23 next season. Following in Moore’s footsteps is an unenviable task. Mosqueda-Lewis knows this. And out of respect for Moore, she asked her if she could wear her number at UConn.

“She gave me a hard time in the beginning,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “She was like, `You know, we can’t just let it rest for a little bit? I’m not going to be gone that long. I’ll just have left.’ And I was like, `I’m sorry Maya. I can’t really help the fact that I’m coming this year. So can I get the number?’ And she was like, `I have to think about it. We’re going to have to do a couple things.’ And I was like, `Alright, Maya.’ And then all of sudden Coach Marisa (Moseley) called me and she’s like, `What number do you want?’ And I was like, `I want 23. I talked to Maya about it.’ She was like, `Oh, well, (assistant coach) Shea (Ralph) says you have 23.’ I was like, `Did she ask Maya?’ And she was like, `Um, you’ve just got it.’ I found out like a week before I came here.’’

So … Did Mosqueda Lewis ever get an official OK from Moore?

“No, not officially,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said with a smile. “Hopefully, she’s not upset when she finds out.’’

Mosqueda-Lewis said she has worn No. 23 for the past six or seven years. It was the number she wanted to wear in college.

“I didn’t know Maya Moore would have worn the number before me,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “But after getting to know Maya and talking to her and asking her if I can have the number and finally getting it, I realize there’s a lot to come with No. 23 here at UConn. Hopefully, I can live up to No. 23. I can’t replace Maya. Nobody can replace Maya. She’s an incredible player. So I’m just going to do my best to play hard for UConn. And I’ve been called Maya a couple times just because I wear No. 23. Just kids and the little girls were here and they asked me to sign things. And I’ll put No. 23 after my name and they’ll be like, `Is this Maya?’’’

Fellow UConn freshman Kiah Stokes said that “random people at the mall’’ have also asked Mosqueda-Lewis is she is indeed Moore.

Here are the comments Mosqueda-Lewis and Stokes made about freshman Brianna Banks:

“She’s a great player and an amazing athlete,’’ Stokes said. “Playing against her in pick-up is tough. I’m glad I don’t have to guard her, I’ll say that. She always works hard. She’s a great girl, down to earth. She’s definitely going to have an impact on this team for sure.’’

“Brianna is a pure athlete,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “Athleticism. Whenever she’s out there on the court she can get to the basket at will. She’s so quick and she has such good hands that everything that goes by she gets a hand on the ball wherever you are. The way she moves her body when she’s in the air… I don’t even know how she makes some of these shots, but they’re out of control. Her and Tiffany Hayes have the best body control I’ve ever seen in my life in the air. It’s incredible. She actually has a pretty nice outside jump shot, too. That’s going to be deadly. She can go in and out, and it’s going to be really useful for us in this coming season.’’

Here are the comments Stokes made regarding Mosqueda-Lewis:

“She’s an amazing player,’’ Stokes said. “In pick-up, she makes shots like it’s her job. I mean, well it is her job, I guess. She barely misses. It’s great that she’s going to be on this team this year. And she’s definitely going to make an impact right away.’’

And here’s what Mosqueda-Lewis had to say about Stokes:

“She’s got those long arms,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “You think you can get a shot off and she looks… She was at the free throw line. I was like at NBA 3 range. I tried to shoot it and she came out and blocked my shot. I was like, `You were… alright. Defense!’ She’s going to be deadly in there. She’s going to be a shot blocker. So we’re going to have a lot of help inside. And she’s got a nice little mid-range jump shot. Her and Stefanie (Dolson) are deadly from the high post. She gets rebounds at will. She just puts her hand up and just grabs one. So this year it’s going to be exciting.’’

Rich

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UConn freshmen Kiah Stokes, a 6-foot-3 post player, and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, a 6-foot wing, were sitting in their seats at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis April 3 knowing there was little they could do to help the Huskies in the national semifinals against Notre Dame.

They could do nothing to help stop the 21-6 second-half run by the Irish that crippled UConn. When the final buzzer sounded the Huskies season had ended with a 72-63 loss. Stokes and Mosqueda-Lewis will finally get their chance to wear the National Flag Blue and White uniforms this season. But despite not being on the bench that loss was not easy to absorb.

“That was rough,’’ Stokes said today during a media session at Gampel Pavilion. “We were up in the stands. We were cheering so loud. It’s just sad to see them lose. You know how much work they put into it. And then when they come up short, it’s just rough. But it makes you want to do that much better next year. We want to come in and make an impact so we can go the extra step and win a national championship. We want to be there to help the team.’’

While they were among the rest of the WBCA All-Americans that night, Stokes and Mosqueda-Lewis did not talk much about how they hope to make a difference this season for the Huskies. Yet, when they were alone later on they had plenty to talk about.

Along with Brianna Banks, a 5-9 guard who went home this weekend, Stokes and Mosqueda-Lewis are part of a recruiting class that is ranked No. 2 nationally by ESPN HoopGurlz. The opportunity is there for them to play an integral role for the Huskies in the wake of All-American Maya Moore’s departure. The words and the body language of Stokes and Mosqueda-Lewis send the message that they are poised to seize the opportunity before them.

“We tried not to talk about it so much there because you know there were other college players there,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “Girls that were going to Tennessee. Girls that were going to Duke. We didn’t want to upset them by telling them what we’re going to do next year. But we talked about it a lot when we got back to our room. We just talked to ourselves about, you know, they were so close. What’s that small thing that separated them from winning that night? And you know, there’s never a doubt that Connecticut doesn’t work hard or they don’t execute all the time. But we know Maya’s gone this year. We’ve got to do something to fill that void. And it’s going to take more than one person to fill Maya Moore’s spot. So we’re all going to have to come together more than we ever have before and play spectacular every night.’’

Stokes and Mosqueda Lewis, who are currently taking English 1010 and Women’s Studies classes together, brought the right mindset with them when they arrived on campus in time for the start of the first summer session May 31. The physical part of being at an elite college program took some time getting used to.

The conditioning workouts, led by Strength and Conditioning coach Amanda Kimball, were daunting. They believed they had worked hard in high school. That belief changed once they began worked out as a member of the Huskies.

It was “gassers’’ that quickly got their attention. These are seven timed sprints on the turf field hockey field. Each player has to touch the corresponding line on the field each time. Should they fail to complete the sprint in the allotted time limit, commit a false-start or fail to touch the line, they have to repeat it.

Stokes said that she had never before run this much in a short period of time and served as a real eye-opener. Mosqueda-Lewis said this drill was daunting.

“We were outside,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “It had to be like 90-something and we were on the turf and I could see the heat rising up from the turf. And every time I went down my throat was getting dry. I was getting dizzy. My hands were tingling. I was like, `Oh, my God. What is this? I’ve never had this happen to me before. I can’t even feel my face. Am I going to make it.’ And we made it through and I was like, `Oh, my God. Thank God. This is great.’’’

The pain might be new to both Stokes and Mosqueda-Lewis, who will compete for the U.S. U-19 team with Bria Hartley and Stefanie Dolson at the World Championships in Chile July 21-31. But they realize that heading to UConn in time for the summer session was a tremendous decision on their part. It has provided them with an opportunity to get a head start on life as a student-athlete at the elite level of college basketball.

They chose to come to UConn for a reason. They are skilled, determined and want to be pushed. They want to help the Huskies win. And they are ready to take the next step in their lives.

“When you’re being recruited all the coaches try to impress to make sure you pick their school,’’ Stokes said. “But when we get here it’s all business. The coaches are still the same. They love you. You love them. But when it comes down to it’s all about business and that’s the main difference. They’re not trying to impress you and make you want to come here. They’re saying, `You came here. This is what you have to do and this is why you’re here and you’ve got to prove yourself.’’’

Rich

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Former UConn star Maya Moore is one of four candidates for the Best Female Athlete ESPY. Gold medal-winning snowboarder Kelly Clark, WNBA star Lauren Jackson and gold medal-winning skier Lindsey Vonn are the other finalists in this category.

Moore is also one of five candidates for the Best College Female Athlete ESPY. She is joined here by Penn State volleyball player Blair Brown, Arizona State softball pitcher Dallas Escobedo, Notre Dame soccer player Melissa Henderson and USC swimmer Katinka Hosszu.

The Huskies are among four candidates for the Best Record-Breaking Performance ESPY for their NCAA record 90-game winning streak. Former UConn star Ray Allen, who became the NBA’s all-time leader in made 3-pointers, U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy and Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, who became the youngest NBA player to be named the Most Valuable Player, are also in the running.

Former UConn star Diana Taurasi is one of four candidates for the Best WNBA Player ESPY. Jackson, Cappie Pondexter and Tamika Catchings are the other candidates.

The ESPYs will be held at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles July 13. Fan can cast their votes on-line or on the ESPN facebook page.

Rich

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Former UConn All-American Maya Moore is among the “Top Three’’ finalists for the Honda-Broderick Cup, The Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards announced today. The award recognizes annually The Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

Penn State volleyball player Blair Brown and Villanova cross country/track and field performer Sheila Reid are the other finalists, which were selected by a vote of more than 1,000 NCAA-member institutions. The winner will be announced during a press conference at Columbia University in New York June 27 (11:15 a.m.).

Moore is seeking to become just the second athlete to twice be honored as Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. Former Florida swimmer and three-time Olympic gold medalist Tracy Caulkins won the award in 1982 and 1984.

Below are career highlights of the “Top Three’’ …

Blair Brown – A native of Purcellville, VA, Brown led the Penn State Lions to their fourth straight NCAA championship title as team captain in her senior year, scoring a match-high 18 kills in the national title game. A three-time AVCA All-American, she was named Big Ten Player of the Year, as well as the University Park Regional Most Outstanding Player. In addition to guiding the Nittany Lions to the NCAA Championship, Brown earned a spot on the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team. Brown started all 37 matches during her senior year and led her team with 521 kills (4.24 kills average per set on .320 hitting). She closed out her college career with 1,295 kills, graduating in December 2010 with an English and Political Science major. In the summer of 2010, Brown trained with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team.

Maya Moore – Moore, a native of Jefferson City, Mo. who grew up in Lawrenceville, Ga., has been nominated for the Honda Sports Award for basketball all four years of her college career and won the honor last year. Moore led UConn to four Final Four appearances, two national titles and a 150-4 record. She is the fourth-leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,036 points. Honored as the Capital One University Division Academic All-American of the Year and Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2010 and 2011, Moore was also selected as a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2009. A three-time WBCA Wade Trophy honoree and four-time WBCA State Farm First Team All-American, she won the Naismith Trophy, the Associated Press Player of the Year Award and the USBWA Player of the Year Award in 2009 and 2011. She was also the John R. Wooden Award honoree in 2009 and 2011. Moore held a 3.669 GPA in sports media and promotion. She was selected by the Minnesota Lynx with the No. 1 pick of the WNBA draft in April.

Sheila Reid – Reid, a native of Newmarket, Ontario, recently capped a great year when she was crowned the NCAA Outdoor Champion in the 1,500-meter and 5,000-meter races – the first woman in history to win both events in the same year. She was also the Indoor National Champion in the distance medley. She was selected All-American in the 3,000-meter. She finished her season as the Big East Indoor champion in the 1,000-meter, 4×800-meter relay, distance medley relay and outdoor titlist in the 1,500-meter and 5,000-meter. The indoor and outdoor Mid-Atlantic Region Athlete of the Year is a 12-time Big East Champion, a nine-time All-American selection and NCAA individual cross country titlist. Like many Honda Sports Award winners, Reid is an academic standout in addition to her excellence in athletics. The four-time Big East Academic All-Star was selected to the Academic All-District first team and holds a GPA of 3.408 with a major in English.

Rich

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If it’s the week of the Travelers Championship it’s time for Huskies’ associate head coach Chris Dailey to again break out the clubs. Styling in a pink Nike sleeveless shirt, white pants and white Nike sneakers with a matching pink swoosh, she competed in Monday’s Aetna Tournament Players Pro-Am at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell.

Dailey said this is the sixth year that she has been a part of the event. This year she teamed with pro Tommy Gainey, Jake Flaitz, Caren Kittredge and Kristen Putnam.

“When it’s great weather like this I enjoy being outside, meeting people, talking to people,’’ Dailey said. “Then it’s the charity. To be able raise money for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and the (Connecticut) Jaycees and the all great things they can do, it’s just a lot of fun.’’

It will be another busy week for Dailey in Cromwell. She will also be playing in Wednesday’s Celebrity Pro-Am and will be speaking as part of the Women’s Day festivities Thursday.

As far as the status of Dailey’s golf game this week … She said that it’s nonexistent right now.

“This is the third time I’ve played all season,’’ Dailey said. “I promised I was going to practice this year, except the week in May I was going to practice it rained every day. And then I certainly am not practicing on my vacation because it’s not a vacation. So I haven’t really had a chance to practice.’’

Rich