UConn sports

University of Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun will speak about his experience as a cancer survivor at the American Cancer Society’s Broadway In The Hills event in Middlebury on June 6 beginning at 4 pm.

Calhoun has long been involved with the American Cancer Society’s Coaches Vs. Cancer program, where he has served on the national council for the past 5 years.

Calhoun has participated in a golf event for more than a decade and his group has been personally responsible for raising over $100,000 during that time. His annual charity bike ride supports the work of the Society in Connecticut.

Coach Calhoun is no stranger to the American Cancer Society’s research program. A featured guest at the “Broadway event” in Westport, Calhoun was honored by the American Cancer Society New England Division with the Champions of Hope award in 2005.

Broadway in the Hills is a late afternoon outdoor cabaret style affair which features a medley of musical performances by Broadway singers and actors, including Bethel resident Terry Eldh, Ted Keegan and pianist Marvin E. Laird. These performers are veterans of Broadway and opera stage.

A volunteer committee is organizing the event which will celebrate the progress made in cancer research and will raise money in support of a cancer research project by an approved American Cancer Society scientist.

“We are excited to welcome Jim Calhoun and once again bring this unique and highly entertaining event to the Connecticut Hills,” American Cancer Society Director of Distinguished Giving Robin Flay said in a statement. “Broadway in the Hills raises money for the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving and highly successful research grant program. We are proud to work with the community in bringing this inspiring event to the hills. I am grateful to the committee, event sponsors and donors…”

The American Cancer Society Research Program is the nation’s largest private funder of cancer research. American Cancer Society funds scientists with cutting edge ideas that have led to many breakthroughs in cancer treatment and 44 of these researchers have gone on to win the Nobel Prize for their work.
The Broadway in the Hills Committee is asking for a minimum gift of $150.00 per person. Leadership giving opportunities are available. For more information about Broadway in the Hills, contact Robin Flay at 203 563-1516 or via email at robin.flay@cancer.org.

OK, we get questions here at the blog every once in a while so why not start posting the answers, right?

And feel free to keep sending them in, people. Basketball questions, football questions. Heck, we’ll even try to break down Jim Penders’ baseball Huskies if we have to.

It’s a long offseason and man can not live on (MLB) baseball alone, right?

In recent days there have been a lot of questions about the NCAA’s investigation at UConn and the potential penalties. So let’s go:

Q: What do you think the punishment is going to be for the recruiting NCAA violations for UConn? Talk on the chat boards is either lost of scholarship or miss a few recruiting days. – Chris O.

A: Well, that’s the $64 thousand question, isn’t it?

There’s no guarantee there will ever be penalties, though it looks like there’s a good chance. Either way, it could be a lot longer before have a final outcome.

- Neill

Another miss on the recruiting trail for UConn, though this one wasn’t a shocker.

C.J. Leslie is headed to N.C. State, spurning advances from UConn and Kentucky, The Raleigh News and Observer first reported.

A 6-foot-8 McDonald’s All-American and star at Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, Leslie is among the nation’s top high school basketball players.

He visited UConn last weekend, but apparently his trip didn’t change his mind about his college choice.

“I’m enjoying myself but it’s coming down to the wire,” Leslie said when asked about his college decision during the visit.

UConn’s recruiting class for 2010 remains very good, though perhaps not outstanding. The Huskies missed out on a number of their top targets, including guards Brandon Knight and Cory Joseph.

- Neill

A Wall Street Journal story this morning focuses on the state of the UConn basketball team. Is this Jim Calhoun’s Last Stand?

Not a lot of bombshells in this one but it does state:

“…a person familiar with the matter said a representative from the NCAA, which has been investigating Mr. Calhoun’s program for possible recruiting violations, has informed the school that investigators have found violations and will be issuing a report in the near future.”

Now, we know UConn has yet to receive a Letter of Inquiry from the NCAA. That’s the jumping-off point for any full investigation by the outfit. Perhaps, the Journal’s source means to indicate that such a letter will be delivered soon.

- Neill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. _ The Big East Conference completed its bowl lineup by renewing deals with the Papajohns.com Bowl, and the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl (formerly the St. Petersburg Bowl). The conference also signed a new agreement with the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn., the league announced Tuesday.

The conference will send its teams to two of these three games (Papajohns/Beef O’Brady’s/Liberty) in each of the 2010-13 seasons.

“By all accounts the Big East bowl lineup is stronger than it’s ever been,” commissioner John Marinatto said in a statement. “We have aligned ourselves with great bowl games in first-class destinations.”

In an agreement with Papajohns Bowl that runs through 2013, the Big East will face a team from the SEC.

In the upcoming season, the Papajohns Bowl will be played on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. The game, in its fifth year, will be televised at noon on ESPN.

UConn beat South Carolina 20-7 in the bowl last season, attracting a record crowd of 45,254.

The Liberty Bowl is college football’s seventh-oldest bowl game. In the years Big East teams play in Memphis, they will face either a Conference USA opponent or one from the SEC.

“The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is one of college football’s great traditions,” Marinatto said. “I know any of our teams would enjoy the opportunity to go to Memphis and play in the game.”

The 52nd AutoZone Liberty Bowl will be played Friday, Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. and will be seen on ESPN.

The Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl, which is played in Tropicana Field, will be played on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. and also seen on ESPN.

2010 BIG EAST BOWL LINEUP

(in selection order)

BCS Bowl _ Big East Champion

Champs Sports Bowl _ Big East vs. ACC

Meineke Car Care Bowl _ Big East vs. ACC

New Era Pinstripe Bowl _ Big East vs. Big 12

Papajohns.com Bowl/AutoZone Liberty Bowl _ Big East vs. SEC or C-USA

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl _ Big East vs. C-USA

- Neill

UConn’s depth chart was released Monday. The notables:

– Marcus Aiken has moved back to wide receiver and receiver Mike Lang has moved to safety.

– A three-way “OR” for the third-team quarterback between redshirt freshman Michael Box, true freshman Leon Kinnard and sophomore Johnny McEntee.

– Adam Masters has him, not presumed starter Jimmy Bennett, the top left tackle.

– Mathieu Olivier beat out Erik Kuraczea at left guard.

– Robbie Frey and Kelmetrus Wylie are listed as co-backups to RB Jordan Todman.

– Ryan Wirth and Twyon Martin are “OR” starters at one defensive tackle.

2010 University of Connecticut Post-Spring Practice Depth Chart

OFFENSE

LT

Adam Masters (RSo., 6-4, 270)

Jimmy Bennett (RSo., 6-8, 301)

Greg McKee (Fr., 6-5, 299)

LG

Mathieu Olivier (RSr., 6-6, 276)

Erik Kuraczea (RSo., 6-2, 315)

Steve Greene (RFr., 6-4, 324)

C

Moe Petrus (RJr., 6-2, 292)

Gary Bardzak (RJr., 6-3, 297)

Ben Chapman (RSo., 6-2, 276)

RG

Zach Hurd (RSr., 6-7, 323)

Tyler Bullock (RFr., 6-4, 291)

RT

Mike Ryan (RJr., 6-5, 332)

Kevin Friend (RFr., 6-5, 287)

Stephen Brown (RFr., 6-4, 289)

TE

Ryan Griffin (RSo., 6-6, 240)

John Delahunt (RSo., 6-3, 243)

Corey Manning (RSo., 5-4, 255)

Alex Kaiser (Sr., 6-5, 238)

TB

Jordan Todman (Jr., 5-9, 190)

Robbie Frey (RFr., 6-0, 199) OR

Kelmetrius Wylie (RJr., 5-10, 223)

Jonathan Jean-Louis (Sr., 6-0, 200)

Martin Hyppolite (RFr., 6-0, 210)

FB

Anthony Sherman (Sr., 5-11, 242)

Bret Manning (Sr., 5-11, 255)

QB

Zach Frazer (RSr., 6-4, 236)

Cody Endres (RJr., 6-4, 223)

Michael Box (RFr., 6-3, 194) OR

Leon Kinnard (Fr., 5-9, 179) OR

Johnny McEntee (RSo., 6-3, 216)

WR

Michael Smith (Jr., 6-0, 200)

Malik Generett (RFr., 6-4, 210)

Joshua Massey (Sr., 5-8, 186)

WR

Kashif Moore (RJr., 5-9, 177)

Nick Williams (So., 5-9, 182)

Dwayne Difton (So., 5-11, 171)

Eric Sawicki (RFr., 6-0, 189)

WR

Isiah Moore (RJr., 6-1, 183)

Gerrard Sheppard (RSo., 6-2, 205) OR

Marcus Aiken (RFr., 5-11, 191)

DEFENSE

DE

Jesse Joseph (So., 6-3, 231)

Trevardo Williams (So., 6-1, 224) OR

A.J. Portee (RSo., 6-4, 236)

Jonathan Louis (Fr., 6-5, 241)

DT

Kendall Reyes (RJr., 6-4, 287)

Alex Polito (RSr., 6-6, 284) OR

Shamar Stephen (RFr., 6-5, 291)

DT

Ryan Wirth (RSo., 6-2, 275) OR

Twyon Martin (RJr., 6-2, 270)

Tim Willman (RFr., 6-3, 271)

DE

Marcus Campbell (Jr., 6-2, 227)

Greg Lloyd (Sr., 6-2, 234) OR

Ted Jennings (RS., 6-5, 238)

“Husky” LB

Jory Johnson (RSo., 6-1, 219)

Andrew Opoku (Fr., 6-4, 217)

Matt Edwards (RSo., 6-0, 189)

Emmanuel Omokaro (RJr., 5-10, 207)

MLB

Scott Lutrus (RSr., 6-3, 240)

Jerome Williams (RSo., 6-11, 248)

Michael Osiecki (Fr., 6-2, 225)

WLB

Lawrence Wilson (RSr., 6-1, 217)

Sio Moore (RSo., 6-1, 231)

Mark Hinkley (RSo., 5-11, 228)

CB

Blidi Wreh-Wilson (RSo., 6-0, 184)

Tevrin Brandon (RFr., 5-10, 172)

S

Jerome Junior (RSo., 6-1, 208)

David Kenney (RFr., 6-0, 186)

Harris Agbor (RJr., 5-10, 192)

John Yurek (RJr., 6-0, 200)

S

Kijuan Dabney (Sr., 6-0, 214)

Mike Lang (So., 5-11, 186) OR

Chris Lopes (RFr., 5-10, 183)

CB

Dwayne Gratz (RSo., 6-0, 190)

Gary Wilburn (RJr., 5-11, 196) OR

Gilbert St. Louis (Fr., 5-11, 176)

SPECIAL TEAMS

P

Chad Christen (RFr., 6-1, 200) OR

Cole Wagner (RFr., 6-2, 197)

K

Dave Teggart (RJr., 6-0, 209)

Chad Christen (RFr., 6-1, 200)

LS

Derek Chard (Sr., 6-3, 234)

Stephen Brown (RFr., 6-4, 279) OR

Mark Hinkley (RSo., 5-11, 228)

H

Chad Christen (RFr., 6-1, 200)

Zach Frazer (RSr., 6-4, 236)

PR

Gary Wilburn (RJr., 5-11, 196) OR

Nick Williams (So., 5-9, 182) OR

Leon Kinnard (Fr., 5-9, 179)

KR

Robbie Frey (RFr., 6-0, 199)

Jordan Todman (Jr., 5-9, 190)

C.J. Leslie, perhaps the top unsigned player in the country, is on an official visit to UConn this weekend.

He had a chance to see the campus and play in a few pickup games (with many of the current Huskies and other recruits) Saturday. Leslie, UConn signee Shabazz Napier and Jersey City, N.J., junior guard Miles Davis (St. Peter’s Prep) were all on hand. Ex-Husky Curtis Kelly also was in Storrs to play some ball with his friends and perhaps experience Spring Weekend.

– It’s still Kentucky, N.C. State and UConn. There is no leader, Leslie says.

“I should be coming to a decision shortly after this,” Leslie said. “I’m going to sit down with my family after this and see what’s best for me.”

– What is Leslie looking for in a school?

“Just somewhere I can go that I can fit in, not have to worry about changing my game too much,” Leslie said.

– On what UConn has to offer:

“There’s a great coach, it’s a great program,” Leslie said. “They have that up-and-down pace that I like.”

– What were his first impressions of the UConn campus:

“It’s a good place. It’s city-like but not city-like,” said the talented 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward from Raleigh, N.C.

– Leslie is something of a combo small forward-power forward at this point. What part of his game is he working on?

“Just getting stronger, shooting. That’s about it,” Leslie said.

- Neill

UConn graduate and Stratford native Marcus Easley was just selected by the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Draft.

The wide receiver was taken with the ninth pick in the fourth round, the 107th player selected overall.

2:30 update: A chat with the newest Bill.

– With T.O. moving on (as well as Josh Reed), the Bills have a need at wide receiver.

“I know they were really trying to go after some wide receivers. It’s a wonderful opportunity for me,” Easley said. “I’m eager to get up there and get started.”

– After not being chosen on Day 2 of the draft as he was hoping, Easley was a little unhappy.

“I don’t want to say frustrated or disappointed after last night (Friday),” Easley said, “but still kind of anxious. I heard potentially third round but it didn’t go that way.

“I woke up this morning knowing that at some point my name would be called.”

He didn’t have to wait long. Nine picks into round 4, Easley got a call from the Bills and then saw his name on the screen.

“It came up on the screen and I’ve just been celebrating ever since,” Easley said.

– The Bills didn’t show a lot of interest in Easley before the draft.

“I had an informal interview with them at the combine and they told me they were interested,” Easley said. “But that was pretty much all I heard from them.”

– From walk-on to NFL draft pick. It’s still an amazing story.

“Everything didn’t always go my way in the past year, pretty much my whole career. But the fact I was put in this position and everything worked out, it’s just a blessing.”

– Now it’s on to Buffalo.

“Everyone knows it’s cold up there. I got my North Face ready,” Easley said.

- Neill