UConn women's basketball

In a release today, Nike unveiled its newest creation: the Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniform. UConn is the only school Nike has selected to wear the uniforms for its men’s and women’s basketball teams. The men will wear them Sunday against Notre Dame at the XL Center. The women will wear them against Notre Dame in the regular season finale at the XL Center Feb. 27.

Here is the release (and photo) from Nike:

“We’ve reached the point of the season when the truly talented begin to distinguish themselves from the competition. And while teams desperately seek to set the gold standard for 2012, Nike will pay tribute to those who have already reached elite status by outfitting select teams in the next generation of college basketball design: the Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniform.

As the latest and most innovative fit system, the Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniform is designed at the intersection of sustainability and performance. The specially designed short and jersey combination will be worn by nine of the nation’s top college basketball teams in select games during the 2012 season.

The nine teams all have won National Championships in Nike footwear and apparel. The programs donning the Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniforms in 2012 include The University of Arizona, Baylor University (women’s), Duke University, University of Florida, University of Kentucky, Syracuse University, The University of Connecticut (men’s and women’s) and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Nike created the uniforms specifically for superior performance and lower environmental impact. The fabric of the Nike Hyper Elite Platinum shorts are made from 100 percent recycled polyester while the jersey fabric is made from at least 96% recycled polyester. Both short and jersey are tailored for the optimal efficiency of movement and are five percent lighter than the previous Nike Hyper Elite uniform. Featuring laser-cut bonded logos, a sharp platinum design as well as prominent accent colors, the Nike Hyper Elite Platinum uniforms are sure to shine on the court.

“Nike is committed to producing top-of-the-line performance attire with reduced sacrifice to the environment,” said Phil Cook, Nike’s Brand Manager for Basketball. “With our Nike Hyper Elite Platinum design, Nike is maintaining its long-standing obligations to our fans to not only produce the best on-court looks but also a design that makes use of the resources we already have.’’

In 2011, Nike affirmed its commitment to increasing its use of more sustainable materials by doubling its use of recycled polyester, using approximately 440 million PET plastic bottles, enough to cover over 12,000 basketball courts, and 2012 will build off of those successes.

The short includes laser perforations in side panels for increased breathability while featuring a lightweight 4-way stretch woven design. The bonded hem detailing found on the short and the bonded back seam near the neckline on the jersey enhances both comfort and style. Additionally, the front of the jersey features a lightweight Nike Sphere fabric, while the back includes a full Nike Aerographics back panel.’’

Rich

Here is my advance for tonight’s game against Syracuse …

Brianna Banks needed to escape from it all. Even if it was only for a few days during Christmas break.

There have been times during her freshman season at UConn when Banks has felt overwhelmed. She said making the jump to the elite level of Division I college basketball created a sense of fear during the first couple of practices. Balancing academics and athletics was daunting. So was maintaining a high level of intensity on the court.

But since spending time at home late last month, Banks has discovered what it takes for her to make an impact off the bench for the third-ranked Huskies (17-2, 6-1 Big East). Her intensity level has picked up. And with it so has her level of confidence.

“I just needed to clear my mind,’’ Banks said. “And once I did that I came back a completely different person. I’m more confident than I was at the beginning. I notice a big change in the way I play and the way I take things when Coach (Geno Auriemma) says stuff and my intensity on the court.’’

Banks’ improvement has increased the trust that Auriemma has in her at this point. Entering tonight’s game at Syracuse (7; CPTV), Banks has tied her season-high by logging double digits in minutes in four straight games.

She is averaging 4.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 17.0 minutes during this stretch. Banks had seven points and two steals in 19 minutes at DePaul Saturday.

“She’s gotten more comfortable and she’s starting to learn,’’ UConn junior Kelly Faris said. “I could tell she really wanted to try to make an effort to change and start figuring things out on her own. And that’s part of it. You don’t come in here and just get it right away usually. So she’s definitely made some huge steps going forward.’’

Fellow freshman Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis will make her first start in place of Caroline Doty, who is sidelined with a bone bruise in her left knee, against the Orange (13-7, 2-4). But Banks will unquestionably have an opportunity to play an expanded role for the Huskies.

“She’s been playing really well and this is definitely another chance for her to show Coach that she deserves to have more minutes, that she deserves to continue to be playing as much as she has been because she’s been playing really well,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said.

Banks is averaging 4.5 points, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 14.2 minutes in 17 games this season.

“I sit on the bench and I feel like I can do something when I go out there,’’ Banks said. “So, yeah, I do take that as an opportunity. I don’t want (Doty) hurt, but if I can help my team out then I need to do it.’’

The Huskies are hopeful that Banks can continue to progress. She possesses exceptional speed, which can be a significant asset at both ends of the floor.

Mosqueda-Lewis said that Banks’ shot selection has improved and that she is playing more aggressively on defense. Sophomore Bria Hartley said that Banks is tentative at time and she simply needs to believe in her ability.

Banks understands that she needs to become more aggressive offensively. And she is confident that in time that too will work itself out and she evolve into a reliable contributor for the Huskies.

“I have a big comfort level (right now),’’ Banks said. “My goal is definitely to bring an impact to the team. I’m not just here to be a fifth man on the court. I definitely know I have it in me this year. I see it coming out a couple times. I’ve just got to keep it consistent.’’

Rich

Geno Auriemma could have chosen to start 6-foot-3 freshman center Kiah Stokes at Syracuse Wednesday in the absence of Caroline Doty, who will not play due to a bone bruise in her left knee. Along with 6-5 center Stefanie Dolson, the move would give the Huskies two legitimate post players and it is a lineup that Auriemma is hoping to employ more often at some point this season.

Auriemma could have chosen to start freshman guard Brianna Banks. She has played better of late and she would provide the Huskies with more quickness.

However, while Auriemma had options, there was only one player that truly deserved to make her first career start for UConn Wednesday at the Carrier Dome – 6-foot freshman wing Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis.

“We’ll just put Kaleena in her place, kind of like we did at the start of the second half (Saturday at DePaul),’’ Auriemma said. “It puts us down one from a flexibility standpoint. Like I’ve said, you never have too many good guards on your team. That’s impossible. So I’m hoping that Caroline comes back quickly. I’m hoping that Brianna Banks, who’s going to play more, obviously, on Wednesday night, does a really good job for us. And we’ll go from there. It’s all part of going through a whole season. Most teams don’t go through a whole season unscathed.’’

Mosqueda, who appears to be a lock to be named the Big East Freshman of the Year, leads the Huskies in scoring (14.8). She is third on the team in rebounds (5.2) and minutes (27.5).

Overall, this will be the second start overall for Mosqueda-Lewis at UConn. She also started the exhibition opener against Assumption Nov. 3 with Doty sidelined with an ankle injury.

“I never wanted this to be the reason for me starting,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “I’m going to miss Caroline. It’s definitely going to be different not having her out there on the court with us, but we’re going to try to get it done and play for her. She doesn’t expect us to drop at any level whether she’s here or whether she’s not. And I’m just going to try to fill the role well and play well.

Auriemma does not find himself dissecting the team statistics on a daily basis. He does not need numbers to tell him how his players are performing on the court. He can tell with his own eyes each day in practice and in games.

But Auriemma did admit that he took a peak at the statistics Monday. And he was surprised by what he learned in relation to how this team was faring compared to last season’s team that featured All-American Maya Moore. Through the first 19 games, the Huskies stand at 17-2. They are outscoring the opposition 80.8-43.7, have attempted 322 free throws and have 394 assists and 272 turnovers.

Through 19 games last season, the Huskies were 18-1. They had outscored the opposition 80.8-49.7, had attempted 327 free throws and had 380 assists and 283 turnovers.

“I guess people say numbers don’t lie… It is absolutely uncanny that we are averaging 80.8 points per game, exactly the same amount as last year after 19 games,’’ Auriemma said. “Exactly. It’s amazing. We’re holding people to six points less per game than last year. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but that’s a lot according to the experts. So there’s a consistency about what we’re doing. We have 100-some more assists (than turnovers). I think that was the same last year. We’ve shot almost exactly the same number of free throws this year as we did last year. We’re really, really, really close. I think we’re down two attempts per game. When you think about it, you take Maya out of the game and we’re only down two free throw attempts per game … So there’s been a consistency, which has surprised me. I thought it would be much, much more of a struggle to score points and to defend.’’

Rich

Junior guard Caroline Doty will not play Wednesday when No. 3 UConn meets Syracuse at the Carrier Dome, the team announced Monday night. She sustained a minor bone bruise in her left knee during warm-ups at DePaul Saturday and then began experiencing soreness.

Doty has three times torn the ACL in her left knee. She underwent an MRI Monday, which revealed that the condition of her meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in her knee are unchanged.

“I’m sure everybody was probably fearful that it might be something a lot more serious,’’ UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “But I guess it takes having three ACL repairs to say, `Well, it’s only a only bruise.’ For most people, they’re like, `Hey I’ve got a bone bruise and I’m going to be out a week or two days or five days. Who knows?’ But in Caroline’s case saying it’s only a bone bruise is like somebody broke a finger nail. So she’s not going to play Wednesday and then we’ll see for Saturday (against South Florida). But she’s a tough kid and if there’s any way at all that you come back from something like that … If somebody says it’s six days she’ll do it three days. That’s just the kind of kid she is and I’m just happy to hear that it’s only a bone bruise.’’

Doty, who was not made available to the media following practice tonight at Gampel Pavilion, was again in the starting lineup for the Huskies against DePaul. She was forced to leave the game with 17:40 left in the first half and went directly to the locker room.

Doty returned to the bench with 11:08 left in the half. But she did not return to the game.

“She asked to come out because nobody saw it,’’ Auriemma said. “I don’t think there was a collision that, `Oh, my God, look.’ It was just … (Assistant coach) Shea (Ralph) goes, `Hey, get Caroline.’ And I turned around and I looked and she was like, `Get me out.’ It’s a good sign on her part because in her younger days she would not have said anything. She would’ve just kept playing and it would have gotten worse and then she would be out three weeks. So I’m glad to worked out the way it did.’’

Said UConn sophomore Bria Hartley: “Any time Caroline’s getting hurt, especially with her knee, it’s something that she has to deal with every day. It’s sore. And I didn’t actually see what happened, but I’m glad she’s alright. And I know we all asker her, `How are you doing? How are you doing?’ And she’s tough. That’s the one thing you know about Caroline is she’s a tough kid. She’s great and she’s still leader for us.’’

Auriemma said Doty will not practice until at least Friday. A team spokesman said that Doty, who will miss the 61st game of her due to injury, is listed as probable for Saturday’s game against South Florida at the XL Center. She has played in 75 games.

“(A bone bruise) is nothing to her,’’ UConn junior Kelly Faris said. “Whenever she goes up for a layup or she does this or does that we’re all kind of holding our breath. It’s irritating, I know, for Caroline that she can’t be out here. I hate when she’s not out on the floor. That’s just one more player that you have confidence in and that you can trust out on the floor with the experience. And she’s a smart player. You hate to see a good player like that just continue to go through injury after injury, and for the fact that she’s worked her butt off the get back. It’s hard, obviously, for her. But for us to sit there and think, `Dang, she’s gone through all that and she has to sit out again.’ So anything that we can do to help her get better … And we obviously know the rest is the frustrating part. But that’s I think in her case what’s going to help her get back on the floor.’’

Rich

Junior guard Caroline Doty will not play Wednesday when No. 3 UConn meets Syracuse at the Carrier Dome, the team announced Monday night. She sustained a minor bone bruise in her left knee during warm-ups at DePaul Saturday and then began experiencing soreness.

Doty underwent an MRI Monday, which revealed that the condition of her meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament are unchanged. She has three times torn the ACL in her left knee.

Doty was again in the starting lineup against DePaul before being forced to leave the game with 17:40 left in the first half. She returned to the bench with 11:08 left in the half, but she did not return to the game.

A team spokesman said that Doty is listed as probable for Saturday’s game against South Florida at the XL Center.

Rich

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis was named the Big East Freshman of the Week today for the second straight week and for the sixth time in 10 weeks this season. She averaged 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in wins over No. 21 North Carolina, Cincinnati and No. 21 DePaul.

Mosqueda-Lewis, who matched her season-high with 25 points in an 88-44 win at DePaul Saturday, is now tied for third all-time in Big East history in Freshman of the Week honors. Former UConn All-American Maya Moore set the record of 10 in 2007-08.

Rich

DePaul junior Anna Martin came into Saturday’s game as one of the hottest players in the country, let alone in the Big East. Forced into a leadership role offensively due to the loss of leading scorer Keisha Hampton to a season-ending knee injury, Martin has thrived.

She was second in the Big East in scoring at 19.2. She had scored at least 20 points in nine of the first 19 games this season for the Blue Demons. She had scored 52 points combined in the previous two games and was averaging 21.6 over the previous seven.

You had to figure Martin would get her points against the Huskies. Maybe she would not match her season-average, but the likelihood that she would again reach double figures was pretty solid. But anchored by a gritty effort by Kelly Faris, not only did Martin fail to reach her average she failed to score at all in 30 minutes on the floor.

“That’s not the same DePaul team that started the season,’’ UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “So you kind of put yourself in their shoes and offense is hard to come by now since Keisha got hurt. So a lot of it’s directed towards Anna. And anytime that’s the case it’s difficult on a kid because everywhere she went you had a hand on her. And Kelly’s tough enough to play against when you’ve got two or three options, but when you’re pretty much the single most important option it’s difficult. And what we wanted to do was make sure that we pushed her out of her little comfort zone where she wanted to catch the ball. We tried to make her be a playmaker rather than a shooter. But we’ve got a couple kids on our team that take their defensive assignments very seriously and they knew they were going up against a really good player (Saturday). She had some open looks too that she didn’t make and I think then you get frustrated. So I think she probably contributed to this as much as we did.’’

Martin finished 0-of-6 from the field (0-of-5 3-pointers). She was shooting 50.4 percent overall and 46.2 percent from 3-point range (43-of-93). It was only the second time in her 89-game career that she has failed to score. UConn also held her scoreless Feb. 10, 2010.

“I think the coaches do a good job scouting,’’ UConn sophomore Bria Hartley said. “They told us that she would be their go-to player. So we concentrated on guarding her and I think we take a lot of pride in our defense. Kelly did a great job on her.’’

Shutting down Martin was a highlight in yet another dominant defensive performance by the Huskies. They held DePaul to a season-low 27.8 percent shooting from the field and forced 23 turnovers.

UConn set McGrath-Phillips Arena opponents records with 18 steals, including a career-high six by Hartley, and nine blocks shots (three by Faris and Stefanie Dolson).

The Huskies scored 33 points off of turnovers. They have now scored 94 points off of turnovers in the last three games.

“Our defense always creates our offense,’’ Hartley said. “We work so hard in practice on keeping our hands in the passing lanes, tipping passes and someone else get a steal and just going down and scoring.’’

Overall, UConn leads the nation in scoring defense (43.7), which would be a team single-season record if the season ended today, and field goal percentage defense (.302), which would rank second all-time in team history.

The Huskies are forcing an average of 22.4 turnovers and are averaging 13.5 steals, which would also account for a team single-season record.

“UConn never gets credit for their defense,’’ DePaul coach Doug Bruno said. “Because they’re such a well oiled machine offensively they never get credit for their defense. And they are really a good defensive basketball team. I was totally concerned about what was going to happen on our offensive side of the ball because they have players that can play every spot so they’re going to switch every screen. So screens aren’t just necessarily going to get you open. They do a good job of identifying what your strengths are and taking that from you. So they were out in our face all night long. They’re just really, really good defensively. And they do have enough size. They do have size in their players. This is not one of the bigger teams in UConn history maybe, but they still have enough size with (the 6-foot-5) Dolson. And the overall size of their team… It’s just a hard team to get looks against. Anna had a tough night, but our entire offense … Everybody had a tough night. It was just a hard night to get good looks.’’

Here are Auriemma’s thoughts on Bruno, his close, long-time friend being named one of his three assistant coaches on the 2012 U.S Olympic women’s basketball team.

“People like to say, well, there’s a committee for everything,’’ Auriemma said. “There’s a player selection committee. There’s a coaches selection committee. There’s a steering committee. Here’s all kinds of committees when it comes to this sort of thing. But the opportunity for me when I was named the coach was to just immediately say, `This is the guy that I want on my staff.’ Whatever committee looked at his qualifications there was never any, `Why him?’ He’s given his life to the game. He’s done USA Basketball from coaching the youngest kids. He’s won gold medals as a head coach. I just felt like he deserved it because of what he’s done and what he’s given to the game. And he’s a really smart guy and he knows a lot about the game that helps me and I think helps our players. So for me it was the first thing I did when I got the job.’’

Rich

UConn guard Caroline Doty, who has three times torn the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, left tonight’s 88-44 win at No. 21 DePaul game with 17:40 left in the first half and went directly to the locker room. Team doctor Tom Trojian joined her. She would return to the bench with 11:08 left in the first half, but she did not return to the game due to left knee soreness.

A UConn spokesman said that the soreness has been developing over the last week, likely due to the fact that the Huskies have played six games since Jan. 7 and four in the last eight days. Doty’s knee was stable when examined by Trojian.

“Caroline’s knee is sore every single day and it’ll probably be sore every single day for the rest of her life when you’ve had three operations on it,’’ UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “But I don’t know what happened. I didn’t see it happen. She said that she just felt something. There was a little bit of swelling in it, which is really not that unusual. But both (team athletic trainer) Rosemary (Ragle) and Tom Trojian, our doctor, said, `Let’s just keep her out.’ And they’re not that concerned about it. There’s no alarm, for sure, at all.’’

Said UConn guard Bria Hartley: “I actually didn’t see what happened to her, but we just had to keep playing. I know she’ll be alright.’’

Rich