UConn sports

UConn sports

UConn football and men's basketball news and notes from writer Neill Ostrout.

Archive for July, 2010

Huskies on the rise?

I had a chance to speak with Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey this afternoon. A story on Marcus Easley is coming up in Sunday’s paper (hint, hint…plug, plug) but Gailey had some interesting thoughts on the UConn program as a whole.

Asked about the fact that most NFL teams “stop in” to check out the Husky players every year now, Gailey said that was an understatement.

“More than that. You make sure you go in there,” Gailey said. “It’s not if they’re going to have one. They’re going to have one every year.”

Gailey knows UConn coach Randy Edsall fairly well, from their days in the NFL (Gailey was in Pittsburgh when Edsall was in Jacksonville) and the two also met when Georgia Tech and UConn squared off.

“We played in the old stadium,” Gailey said, recalling a game at 16,000-seat Memorial Stadium in Storrs in 2002. “That’s how far back we go.”

“I think the world of Randy and I think they do a great job of coaching,” Gailey added.

- Neill

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It’s a UHart/Central/Fairfield night at the Pro-Am

No Roscoe Smith at the Greater Hartford Pro-Am tonight. Or Kemba Walker. Or Shabazz Napier.

It seems the UConn players on the Doc Hurley All-Stars, including Smith, Napier, Alex Oriakhi and Tyler Olander had a study hall to attend Wednesday night and couldn’t make it to Sport and Medical Sciences Academy.

Walker is in Las Vegas working out with (against actually) the U.S. National Team.

Oh well. Fairfield U’s Mike Evanovich was in the house. So was Vin Baker, the former Old Saybrook/University of Hartford/Celtic/Buck/etc. star.

- Neill

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Hurd nominated for Good Works Team

UConn guard Zach Hurd has been nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, those groups announced Tuesday. The team is put together “to honor the distinguished group of college football players who stand out for the positive influence they have in their communities.”

According to AFCA, Hurd’s community service accomplishments include:

– Participating in Dare Day where he speaks to over 4,000 elementary school children on the dangers of drugs and how to say “no”

– Leads the Goal Line Project, a UConn Football weekly community service initiative where student-athletes visit local schools to mentor students in academics and athletics.

– Continually lends his time to children’s volunteer work, specifically the Connecticut Children’s Hospital and Children’s Home, a full-service Christian treatment center

From the 112 nominees, the most ever in the 19-year history of the award, two 11-player Good Works Teams will be selected and announced in late September _ one for the Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) and the other for the Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and NAIA.

Past members of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Peyton and Eli Manning, and 2010 NFL first-round draft picks Tim Tebow and Gerald McCoy.

Here are the nominees from the FBS:

Arizona State University – Thomas Weber

Baylor University – Robert Griffin

Bowling Green State University – Ben Bojicic

Brigham Young University – Riley Nelson

Central Michigan University – Brian Bennyhoff

Clemson University – Mason Cloy

Colorado State University – Eugene Daniels

Duke University – Bryan Morgan

Florida State University – Christian Ponder

Georgia Institute of Technology – Roddy Jones

Indiana University – Ben Chappell

Iowa State University – Alex Alvarez

Kansas State University – Alex Hrebec

Marshall University – Lee Smith

Michigan State University – Kirk Cousins

Northern Illinois University – Adam Kiel

Northwestern University – Corbin Bryant

Ohio State University – Bryant Browning

Oklahoma State University – Andrew McGee

Penn State University – Stefen Wisniewski

Purdue University – Kyle Adams

Rice University – Cheta Ozougwu

Rutgers University – Howard Barbieri

Southern Methodist University – Pete Fleps

Syracuse University – Bud Tribbey

Temple University – Amara Kamara

Texas A&M University – Jerrod Johnson

Texas Christian University – Tejay Johnson

Texas Tech University – Baron Batch

University of Alabama – John Michael Boswell

University of Connecticut – Zach Hurd

University of Florida – Jeff Demps

University of Idaho – Tyrone Novikoff

University of Iowa – Julian Vandervelde

University of Kansas – Brad Thorson

University of Kentucky – Randall Cobb

University of Memphis – Dominik Riley

University of Mississippi – Jerrell Powe

University of Missouri – Dan Hoch

University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Alex Henery

University of Nevada-Las Vegas – Matt Murphy

University of North Carolina – Robert Quinn

University of Notre Dame – Dayne Crist

University of Oklahoma – Quinton Carter

University of Pittsburgh – Greg Romeus

University of South Carolina – Cliff Matthews

University of Southern California – D.J. Shoemate

University of Southern Mississippi – Austin Davis

U.S. Naval Academy – Ricky Dobbs

University of Tennessee – Nick Reveiz

University of Texas-Austin – Sam Acho

University of Texas-El Paso – Donald Buckram

University of Toledo – Colin McHugh

University of Virginia – Ras-I Dowling

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University – Danny Coale

University of Wisconsin – Scott Tolzien

Western Michigan University – Nick Mitchell

- Neill

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Hathaway named Division I basketball committee chair

UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway has been appointed the chairman of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee for 2011-12, the school announced Monday.

Hathaway’s term as chair will begin in September 2011, which will be his fourth year on the panel. Hathaway will succeed Ohio State AD Gene Smith, who will chair the committee for the 2010-11 season.

Hathaway just completed his seventh year as director of athletics at Connecticut after being the executive associate director of athletics at the school from 1990 to 2001. Before returning to lead the Huskies athletics program, he was the director of athletics at Colorado State from 2001 to 2003.

He is only the fourth person in the history of the Big East Conference to serve on the committee, joining former commissioners Dave Gavitt and Mike Tranghese and former Syracuse AD Jake Crouthamel. Hathaway is a member of the Division I-A Athletic Directors’ Association board of trustees and sits on the executive committee of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

“I am both honored and humbled to be appointed to this position knowing that so many outstanding leaders have established the highest standard of commitment to this tournament and the continued growth of college basketball,” Hathaway said in a statement.

He is also serving on the committee during dynamic times that include implementation of a new $10.8 billion television agreement with Turner Sports and CBS and the expansion of the championship to 68 teams.

“I look forward to assisting Gene Smith and my dedicated colleagues with the implementation of the Turner/CBS television contract and the ‘First Four’ during the upcoming year while enhancing the experiences of the student-athletes and others who participate in this great event,” Hathaway said.

NCAA Executive Vice President Tom Jernstedt noted that Hathaway will enter the position of chair with a background in basketball that dates back to Hathaway’s high school days when he was a team manager for DeMatha High School under legendary coach and Hall of Fame member Morgan Wootten.

NCAA Senior Vice President Greg Shaheen called Hathaway “a leader who understands a variety of perspectives of the game.”

“His contributions to the committee have already been significant, and his role over the next two years will be essential during this important time,” Shaheen said in a statement. “We are fortunate Jeff will serve in this capacity.”

Before his first stint at Connecticut, Hathaway served in a number of capacities at his alma mater Maryland from 1982 to 1990, including assistant athletics director for marketing and promotions, acting assistant athletics director for business affairs, athletics business manager and men’s basketball athletic trainer. Hathaway, 51, earned a B.S. in athletic administration from Maryland in 1981. He later received a master’s in general administration (1991) from Maryland and is currently working on a Ph.D. in educational leadership at Connecticut.

Smith and Hathaway will be joined on the committee this year by Stan Morrison, the director of athletics at UC Riverside; Lynn Hickey, the director of athletics at Texas-San Antonio; Mike Bobinski, the director of athletics at Xavier; Dan Beebe, the commissioner of the Big 12 Conference; Doug Fullerton, the commissioner of the Big Sky Conference; Ron Wellman, the director of athletics at Wake Forest; Scott Barnes, the director of athletics at Utah State; and Steve Orsini, the director of athletics at SMU.

- Neill

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Edsall on Shoemate

UConn football coach Randy Edsall spent a few minutes with the media Friday morning to talk about the Huskies’ newest player: USC transfer D.J. Shoemate.

For starters, Edsall made it clear what position the versatile “athlete” will play.

“He is a tailback. He’s going to be a tailback,” Edsall said.

So, does he immediately challenge incumbent Jordan Todman for the No. 1 job? Well, sort of.

“He’s going to have an opportunity to come in here and compete for playing time,” Edsall said. “It’s no different than what we tell all our guys. Whoever the best guy is, is going to play.”

It sounds as if Edsall expects Todman to hold on to the top spot but he’s far from giving the junior the position now. As usual, the coach is hoping to have a 1-2 punch in which multiple backs can contribute.

“I think we’ve been successful when we’ve had two guys,” Edsall said. “You have to have more than one guy at that position.”

Obviously UConn had a connection to Shoemate with his former high school teammate, Johnny McEntee. McEntee is now a quarterback at UConn.

So how did Shoemate end up in Storrs?

“It was after all those sanctions came down at USC,” Edsall said. “We found out that there was an interest in us, and we went through the proper channels.”

Shoemate came to UConn on an official visit and apparently liked what he saw.

In other news:

– Incoming freshman WR Geremy Davis had knee surgery recently and won’t play in the upcoming season.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder from Lawrenceville, Ga. will have to wait.

“We don’t expect him to play this year,” Edsall said.

– Edsall awarded a scholarship to senior FB Bret Manning.

The large (255 pounds) bulldozer from Acton, Mass., was a special teams performer and backup fullback last season.

- Neill

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Late night at the Greater Hartford Pro-Am

Spent the night at the Greater Hartford Pro-Am (with a few other talented scribes and a surprisingly large crowd at Sport and Medical Sciences Academy) watching some of the incoming UConn freshmen and a number of other basketball stars past, present and future.

– For starters, PG Shabazz Napier looked rather comfortable playing alongside PG Kemba Walker with the Doc Hurley All-Stars Wednesday night.

But the freshman from Boston isn’t quite sure if he’ll play behind or next to Walker when the UConn season begins.

“Whatever he needs, whatever the coaches need me to do,” Napier said as Walker playfully peered over his shoulder. “My role isn’t set in stone. They tell me I’m going to contribute a lot. They tell me they’re going to throw me into the fire. But I’m here to do whatever is needed.”

Walker certainly looked like he’d been working on his game, and most around him say he’s already the team’s established leader.

“I didn’t know him last year but through the eyes and actions of other people, I can see he’s more determined than ever,” Napier said. “He mentions it to me all the time. The 18-15 season? he hates it.”

– PF/C Ater Majok did plenty of good and bad things in the first game of Wednesday’s double header with the Club Palace (nee Springfield) Slamm.

“I’m a little bit more mature now after playing half a season,” Majok said. “I know what I’m up against. I just have to calm down and just play my game, do what I do: score the ball, rebound and block shots.”

– Majok also provided a little insight into SF Roscoe Smith’s first days on the UConn campus. The Oak Hill product arrived in Storrs on Sunday.

“The freshmen that are coming in have a great mentality,” Majok said. “Roscoe Smith came in and he didn’t sleep. He came straight to the gym.

“He played with us and then at night he was shooting my himself,” Majok continued. “I walked into the gym and he was shooting at 1 o’clock at night. … That’s the start of something good.”

– PF Tyler Olander, playing for the Doc Hurley All-Stars, got a nice welcome to the league. The incoming UConn freshman took an elbow and had to leave the floor briefly with a bloody lip.

The E.O. Smith product has made the transition to life across the road at UConn. He’s on campus (rooming with Napier) with the rest of UConn’s incoming freshmen (save the late-arriving Germans).

Olander says he already has an idea of what he needs to do in order to contribute to the Huskies.

“I need to be more patient. I’m not going to be able to do everything that I could in high school because I’m not bigger than everybody now,” Olander said. “I need to spend a lot of time in the weight room getting bigger.”

Olander, who says he isn’t likely to redshirt, doesn’t really have a position yet. Is he a power forward? Well, sort of.

“Like a three-four, but more like a step out four,” Olander said. “I’ll guard their four but when I’m in there we’ll go four out, one in (on offense). I’ll be on the perimeter doing my thing.”

– Former UConn guard Jamaal Trice played in the opening game for the Deron Freeman All-Stars (which coincidentally feature guard/forward Deron Freeman on the roster).

Trice said after that he received his official release from UConn on Wednesday and that he’d be heading home to Los Angeles on Thursday.

It’s not clear where Trice may be transferring to at this point, though he has interest in UC-Irvine, Iowa State, Georgia State and UNC-Wilmington.

– The surprise of the night for yours truly came when a familiar face was spotted playing for the Slamm.

Terrell Taylor, the former Bridgeport Central/Creighton/University of Bridgeport guard, was playing his first game in the league this season.

The hero of Creighton’s 2002 NCAA Tournament upset of Florida and one-time MTV reality show star, Taylor is trying to give his basketball career new life.

Taylor said he hopes to play in the NBDL or perhaps overseas in the upcoming season. He spent last year with the Delaware Destroyers of the Eastern Basketball Association.

Taylor, whose highs and lows were chronicled by Chris Elsberry in the Post recently, believes he still has game.

“I’ve got wiser so I think I’m better now,” Taylor said. “And I’m still athletic.”

– Some final totals:

Club Palace Slamm 87, Freeman 75

Majok 16 points. Taylor 9 points. Trice 10 points.

Doc Hurley 106, Cambyland 96

Walker 31 points. Alex Oriakhi 23 points. Napier 15 points. Olander 5 points.

- Neill

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Easley and McClain at autograph session

Former UConn standouts Marcus Easley and Robert McClain, who are about to begin their first NFL seasons, will take part in a free autograph session on Saturday, July 17 at Omni Comic & Cards in Wethersfield.

The duo will be at the store _ which is at 681 Silas Deane Highway _ from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

- Neill

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Some basketball musings

In Storrs now (kind of miss that old name for the blog, but I digress…) and have a few tidbits from the UConn men’s basketball team to pass along.

– Freshman forward Roscoe Smith will arrive on campus this weekend to join most of the team’s incoming class.

Shabazz Napier, Jeremy Lamb, Michael Bradley and Tyler Olander are here already.

The Huskies will have to wait a short time before German imports Niels Giffey and Enosch Wolf get to town.

Jonathan Mandeldove will try to return to the team, contrary to what some scribes (yours truly included) wrote recently.

As our friend Dave Borges first pointed out, Mandeldove can come back on his own dime and not disturb the scholarship totals.

Head coach Jim Calhoun said Friday that Mandeldove has some academic issues to resolve this summer but could return after all.

“If he gets squared away, he’ll come back,” Calhoun said.

– The Husky staff is in the middle of running basketball camp(s) but also is trying to prepare for the coming year.

Associate head coach George Blaney says last season is still something of a mystery, in that the Huskies were so good at times yet lost countless (OK, so you could count them, I suppose) close games.

“We actually went over 10 games that we could have won,” Blaney said. “You’re not going to win all 10 of them but if you win six or seven of those, it’s a completely different situation.”

– The coaching staff seems enthusiastic about the influx of talent. A total of seven new players are slated to suit up in 2011-12.

“The only negative is the age. They’re young and inexperienced,” Blaney said. “But it’s a very talented group. You can see there’s some guys that have the potential to be really good.”

Some quick thumbnail evaluations from Blaney:

“Roscoe, he might be as good an athlete as there is in the group,” Blaney said.

Napier wasn’t rated by many of the scouting services in the Class of 2010 because he was supposed to be a 2011 prospect. If they had, he’d be pretty high Blaney says.

“In this class he’s at least top four from what I’ve seen,” Blaney said.

“He’s a little wild. He’s going to have to tone it down a little bit,” Blaney said of Napier. “But he’s very, very talented and very competitive.”

Both Lamb and Olander could be surprises, it seems.

“Lamb’s got game. He’s got a lot,” Blaney said. “He’s got skills, he’s got smarts, he’s got size.”

And Olander?

“He’s much better than people think he is,” Blaney said. “He competes, he runs hard, he knows how to play. We’re just going to have to find a position for him. He’s almost a three-and-a-half but we’re probably going to need him more at the four.”

– According to a tweet from his adviser/coach Nate Blue, Maurice Harkless is no longer considering UConn. A 6-7 swingman from Queens, Harkless verbally committed to the Huskies last year but recently re-opened his recruitment.

“Maurice really wanted to go to uconn, but it wasnt the best situation for both of them. For too many reason, but fear of comp wasnt one,” Blue wrote from his twitter account.

Harkless, a rising senior (Class of 2011), will play in the fall at South Kent (Conn.) after spending three years at Forest Hills in Queens.

- Neill

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