2 days ago
Texas A&M's 2026 season woes have made the Aggies somewhat unwatchable this fall, coming off last Saturday's 27-6 road loss to Missouri, while starting quarterback Marcel Reed's surprising regression under first-year OC Holmon Wiggins and a shaky offensive line have resulted in the Aggies not scoring a touchdown against Missouri and LSU.
In today's college football landscape of immediate gratification, bad seasons simply aren't allowed anymore, as third-year coach Mike Elko has come under intense scrutiny from the fan base after leading the Aggies to their first College Football Playoff appearance last season.
Still, Elko's ability to recruit and land elite high school talent has built the No. 1-ranked 2027 recruiting class, which includes a nation-high six five-star commits, including the top-ranked offensive lineman Mark Matthews and elite safety duo Kamarui Dorsey and JayQuan Snell.
While four-star linebacker commit Aston Whiteside is visiting Miami this weekend, the rest of A&M's 2027 cycle has stayed intact, and according to 247Sports (subscription required) insider Zach Blostein, Elko and his staff are looking to continue their recruiting dominance in the Sunshine State, as former 2027 four-star CB Loia Valade reclassified to the 2026 class and is currently on the roster.
Texas A&M reportedly fielded offers to Florida-based three-star cornerback Daveon Belhomme and three-star safety and UConn commit Alan Blackshere, looking to add more future depth alongside Kamarui Dorsey, JayQuan Snell, and five-star cornerback Raylaun Henry.
#star #texas #elko #kamarui
In today's college football landscape of immediate gratification, bad seasons simply aren't allowed anymore, as third-year coach Mike Elko has come under intense scrutiny from the fan base after leading the Aggies to their first College Football Playoff appearance last season.
Still, Elko's ability to recruit and land elite high school talent has built the No. 1-ranked 2027 recruiting class, which includes a nation-high six five-star commits, including the top-ranked offensive lineman Mark Matthews and elite safety duo Kamarui Dorsey and JayQuan Snell.
While four-star linebacker commit Aston Whiteside is visiting Miami this weekend, the rest of A&M's 2027 cycle has stayed intact, and according to 247Sports (subscription required) insider Zach Blostein, Elko and his staff are looking to continue their recruiting dominance in the Sunshine State, as former 2027 four-star CB Loia Valade reclassified to the 2026 class and is currently on the roster.
Texas A&M reportedly fielded offers to Florida-based three-star cornerback Daveon Belhomme and three-star safety and UConn commit Alan Blackshere, looking to add more future depth alongside Kamarui Dorsey, JayQuan Snell, and five-star cornerback Raylaun Henry.
#star #texas #elko #kamarui
2 days ago
All of a sudden, that 24-team College Football Playoff format might be front and center for an SEC dreaming of getting five, six, ten of its members into the postseason tournament.
Yes, the CFP is supposed to use a new metric – which is really a twist on what it already utilizes – that gives more respect to the strengths of schedules. That's supposed to boost the SEC – give, say, 2025 Texas credit for losing at Ohio State, even though it went 9-3 – but there are two issues with that, at least when it comes to what we're projecting below.
First, the College Football Playoff always falls back on record ranking. If there's a debate in the Grapevine meeting room – it's nice; the food is tremendous – 10-2 is a lot easier to sell than 9-3, which is why we haven't seen Power Four programs with three pre-conference championship losses leapfrog those with two or fewer.
And second, even though the upsets are coming – last Saturday probably wasn't an outlier – there's no way, no how, no chance the committee will put in a 9-3 power conference team in over an 11-1 Power Four program.
That's where the SEC comes in. A few weeks ago, it looked like the conference would own the CFP. And then Florida started losing. So did LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Now, as we're doing this just past the midway point in the season, there are just four SEC teams left – Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tennessee – with fewer than two losses, and all of them have one.
So how many SEC teams will make the College Football Playoff? Our best guess is three, and it'll take a shoehorn to make that happen. (By the way, we're still bullish on Kentucky, but we're predicting a few close losses over the next few weeks.)
– Why the 24-Team CFP Probably Won't Suck
Oct 17, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) walks off the field with his arm in a sling after the game against the Indiana Hoosiers Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Projected Final Record: 13-0
Remaining Games: at App State, Troy, at Southern Miss, at UConn, Coastal Carolina
This will likely be a big debate if Boise State keeps on rolling and goes 12-1 with a Pac-12 **** le, with its only loss coming to Oregon in the season opener. James Madison won't have any Power Four wins – last year's team didn't either – but if it's 13-0, it'll be tough to leave out.
Projected Final Record: 9-3
Remaining Games: at Auburn, Alabama, Texas, at Tennessee, at Arkansas
Here's where the strength of schedule emphasis kicks in. The call is that the committee would rank a three-loss LSU over a Big 12 or ACC team – it's my favorite CFP line, because I swear I've seen a little box behind glass that the committee goes to when it's in a pinch that says – … because it's Alabama.
There's still one more LSU loss coming somewhere – like, at Tennessee – but Alabama is everything in the brief history of the College Fo
Yes, the CFP is supposed to use a new metric – which is really a twist on what it already utilizes – that gives more respect to the strengths of schedules. That's supposed to boost the SEC – give, say, 2025 Texas credit for losing at Ohio State, even though it went 9-3 – but there are two issues with that, at least when it comes to what we're projecting below.
First, the College Football Playoff always falls back on record ranking. If there's a debate in the Grapevine meeting room – it's nice; the food is tremendous – 10-2 is a lot easier to sell than 9-3, which is why we haven't seen Power Four programs with three pre-conference championship losses leapfrog those with two or fewer.
And second, even though the upsets are coming – last Saturday probably wasn't an outlier – there's no way, no how, no chance the committee will put in a 9-3 power conference team in over an 11-1 Power Four program.
That's where the SEC comes in. A few weeks ago, it looked like the conference would own the CFP. And then Florida started losing. So did LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Now, as we're doing this just past the midway point in the season, there are just four SEC teams left – Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tennessee – with fewer than two losses, and all of them have one.
So how many SEC teams will make the College Football Playoff? Our best guess is three, and it'll take a shoehorn to make that happen. (By the way, we're still bullish on Kentucky, but we're predicting a few close losses over the next few weeks.)
– Why the 24-Team CFP Probably Won't Suck
Oct 17, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) walks off the field with his arm in a sling after the game against the Indiana Hoosiers Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Projected Final Record: 13-0
Remaining Games: at App State, Troy, at Southern Miss, at UConn, Coastal Carolina
This will likely be a big debate if Boise State keeps on rolling and goes 12-1 with a Pac-12 **** le, with its only loss coming to Oregon in the season opener. James Madison won't have any Power Four wins – last year's team didn't either – but if it's 13-0, it'll be tough to leave out.
Projected Final Record: 9-3
Remaining Games: at Auburn, Alabama, Texas, at Tennessee, at Arkansas
Here's where the strength of schedule emphasis kicks in. The call is that the committee would rank a three-loss LSU over a Big 12 or ACC team – it's my favorite CFP line, because I swear I've seen a little box behind glass that the committee goes to when it's in a pinch that says – … because it's Alabama.
There's still one more LSU loss coming somewhere – like, at Tennessee – but Alabama is everything in the brief history of the College Fo
1 month ago
Sue Bird took center stage in Apple TV's recently-released three-part docuseries on the history of UConn women's basketball, which focused its second episode on the program's bitter, longstanding rivalry with Pat Summit's Tennessee.
Bird starred for Geno Auriemma from 1998 to 2002, a stretch that included two Final Four matchups with the Volunteers and served as the apex of tensions between the two programs. The Hall of Famer praised the Apple TV production for a nostalgic look back at her legendary run with the program and for spotlighting the themes that have defined Auriemma's four decades leading UConn.
"I finally got a chance to check out 'The Dynasty: UConn Huskies,' the doc that was on Apple TV," Bird said on her "Bird's Eye View" podcast Monday. "And listen, I loved it. I think we can all agree, right from the jump, that it is so well done. It is a wonderful documentary."
"There were certain players or certain eras touched on more, but I think what has always united us as players, whether you played together or not, was that we all had very similar experiences. The journey might have been different, but the arc was really, really similar. So, you definitely got a sense of what it was like to play at the University of Connecticut."
As one of the most recognizable stars from UConn's turn-of-the-century teams, Sue Bird was closely involved with the production in the documentary. The star point guard provided perspective on UConn's rivalry with Tennessee, ranging from humbling regular-season losses as an underclassman to a memorable 23-point drubbing in the 2002 Final Four, while also reflecting on getting busted at a bar with her Huskies teammates and an Auriemma mental breakdown that led him to hide under the Gampel Pavilion bleachers.
#bird #Apple #final
Bird starred for Geno Auriemma from 1998 to 2002, a stretch that included two Final Four matchups with the Volunteers and served as the apex of tensions between the two programs. The Hall of Famer praised the Apple TV production for a nostalgic look back at her legendary run with the program and for spotlighting the themes that have defined Auriemma's four decades leading UConn.
"I finally got a chance to check out 'The Dynasty: UConn Huskies,' the doc that was on Apple TV," Bird said on her "Bird's Eye View" podcast Monday. "And listen, I loved it. I think we can all agree, right from the jump, that it is so well done. It is a wonderful documentary."
"There were certain players or certain eras touched on more, but I think what has always united us as players, whether you played together or not, was that we all had very similar experiences. The journey might have been different, but the arc was really, really similar. So, you definitely got a sense of what it was like to play at the University of Connecticut."
As one of the most recognizable stars from UConn's turn-of-the-century teams, Sue Bird was closely involved with the production in the documentary. The star point guard provided perspective on UConn's rivalry with Tennessee, ranging from humbling regular-season losses as an underclassman to a memorable 23-point drubbing in the 2002 Final Four, while also reflecting on getting busted at a bar with her Huskies teammates and an Auriemma mental breakdown that led him to hide under the Gampel Pavilion bleachers.
#bird #Apple #final
1 month ago
A former No. 9 overall pick from UConn, Kemba Walker put together the strongest career in franchise history to this point. While Walker is famous for wearing the No. 15, he wore the No. 1 during his rookie season with the Charlotte Bobcats. Over his career with the franchise, Walker would play eight seasons in Charlotte, averaging 19.8 points, 5.5 **** ists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.4 blocks in 605 appearances.
Following his time with the Hornets, he'd land with the Boston Celtics in a sign-and-trade deal that brought Terry Rozier to Charlotte. After two seasons in Boston, Walker would play a season for the New York Knicks and finish his NBA career after nine games for the Dallas Mavericks. In 12 seasons total, Walker played 750 games while averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 **** ists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.4 blocks. He now works with the Hornets as a player development coach and has opened up "Kemba Walker Sports Academy" in Concord, North Carolina.
Throughout the season, Rookie Wire is documenting the jersey number history of the Charlotte Hornets
Previous: Tony Delk, Robert Parish, Spencer Hawes, Theron Smith, Jeff McInnis, Larry Hughes, Bismack Biyombo, Briante Weber, Miles Bridges, Muggsy Bogues, Baron Davis, Jason Hart, Ryan Hollins, Derek Anderson, Andre Brown, Cartier Martin, Stephen Jackson
For more NBA content, check out the BasketBaltes podcast:
#franchise
Following his time with the Hornets, he'd land with the Boston Celtics in a sign-and-trade deal that brought Terry Rozier to Charlotte. After two seasons in Boston, Walker would play a season for the New York Knicks and finish his NBA career after nine games for the Dallas Mavericks. In 12 seasons total, Walker played 750 games while averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 **** ists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.4 blocks. He now works with the Hornets as a player development coach and has opened up "Kemba Walker Sports Academy" in Concord, North Carolina.
Throughout the season, Rookie Wire is documenting the jersey number history of the Charlotte Hornets
Previous: Tony Delk, Robert Parish, Spencer Hawes, Theron Smith, Jeff McInnis, Larry Hughes, Bismack Biyombo, Briante Weber, Miles Bridges, Muggsy Bogues, Baron Davis, Jason Hart, Ryan Hollins, Derek Anderson, Andre Brown, Cartier Martin, Stephen Jackson
For more NBA content, check out the BasketBaltes podcast:
#franchise
1 month ago
A pre-Christmas visit from Ed Cooley. A New Year's trip out West.
A Super Bowl Sunday showdown at Villanova. A Friday night fight at Madison Square Garden with Rick Pitino and St. John's.
For all the talk about the UConn men's basketball team's historically difficult non-conference schedule, it's easy to forget that the Huskies' Big East slate will yield plenty of challenges as well. Thanks to improved spending by several teams, the league figures to be deeper and more talented than last season, when it earned just three NCAA Tournament bids for the second time in three years.
The Huskies' 2026-27 Big East schedule was released on Monday. Here's a breakdown, with times and venues still to be determined:
Hoyas are the only Big East team whose 2026-27 roster still isn't up on their website, fwiw.
#east #christmas #cooley #bowl
A Super Bowl Sunday showdown at Villanova. A Friday night fight at Madison Square Garden with Rick Pitino and St. John's.
For all the talk about the UConn men's basketball team's historically difficult non-conference schedule, it's easy to forget that the Huskies' Big East slate will yield plenty of challenges as well. Thanks to improved spending by several teams, the league figures to be deeper and more talented than last season, when it earned just three NCAA Tournament bids for the second time in three years.
The Huskies' 2026-27 Big East schedule was released on Monday. Here's a breakdown, with times and venues still to be determined:
Hoyas are the only Big East team whose 2026-27 roster still isn't up on their website, fwiw.
#east #christmas #cooley #bowl
1 month ago
The UConn Huskies (1-1) struggled to stay above water in their 38-14 loss to the Maryland Terrapins (2-0).
Paving the way for Connecticut, quarterback Kalieb Osborne completed 10 of 21 (41.7%) passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Osborne also led with 62 rushing yards, while running back Kenji Christian posted 21 yards. In the air, Shamar Porter paved the way with 62 receiving yards and an end zone appearance. JD Willoughby followed with 36 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, cornerback Zion Paret racked up 12 tackles (six solo) and K'Von Sherman tallied nine (four solo).
As for Maryland, Malik Washington landed 34 of 41 (82.9%) throws for 347 yards and two touchdowns. In the backfield, running backs Iverson Howard and Harry Dalton III rushed for 57 yards and crossed the goal line three times. At wide receiver, Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding led with 130 yards and a touchdown. Behind him, Chris Durr Jr. registered 103 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, linebackers Sidney Stewart and Carlton Smith recorded six tackles and Stewart earning a sack.
"There weren't any adverse moments in our first football game. This is a whole different animal," Head Coach Jason Candle said. "They were going to try and lean on us and run the ball down your throat; play up in the face of your receiver. They're going to play pressure-style defense and we're going to figure out how we're going to respond."
To kick off the game, UConn and Maryland traded end zone appearances. With just under five minutes remaining in the opening quarter, Connecticut struck first. After forcing a quick three-and-out, the Terrapins punted from their 14-yard line. Wide receiver Julian Allen's 18-yard return spotted the ball at Maryland's 32-yard line, but a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty backed it up to the 47-yard line.
#going #touchdown #receiver #connecticut
Paving the way for Connecticut, quarterback Kalieb Osborne completed 10 of 21 (41.7%) passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Osborne also led with 62 rushing yards, while running back Kenji Christian posted 21 yards. In the air, Shamar Porter paved the way with 62 receiving yards and an end zone appearance. JD Willoughby followed with 36 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, cornerback Zion Paret racked up 12 tackles (six solo) and K'Von Sherman tallied nine (four solo).
As for Maryland, Malik Washington landed 34 of 41 (82.9%) throws for 347 yards and two touchdowns. In the backfield, running backs Iverson Howard and Harry Dalton III rushed for 57 yards and crossed the goal line three times. At wide receiver, Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding led with 130 yards and a touchdown. Behind him, Chris Durr Jr. registered 103 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, linebackers Sidney Stewart and Carlton Smith recorded six tackles and Stewart earning a sack.
"There weren't any adverse moments in our first football game. This is a whole different animal," Head Coach Jason Candle said. "They were going to try and lean on us and run the ball down your throat; play up in the face of your receiver. They're going to play pressure-style defense and we're going to figure out how we're going to respond."
To kick off the game, UConn and Maryland traded end zone appearances. With just under five minutes remaining in the opening quarter, Connecticut struck first. After forcing a quick three-and-out, the Terrapins punted from their 14-yard line. Wide receiver Julian Allen's 18-yard return spotted the ball at Maryland's 32-yard line, but a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty backed it up to the 47-yard line.
#going #touchdown #receiver #connecticut
1 month ago
On Saturday, Maryland and UConn face off in an exciting college football showdown, airing on CBS Sports Network at 3:30 p.m. ET, a channel that is available to stream live on Fubo.
Sep 5, 2026; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies wide receiver Ryder Treadway (11) runs the ball against the Lafayette Leopards in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
When: Saturday, September 12th, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
#saturday #network #fubo
Sep 5, 2026; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies wide receiver Ryder Treadway (11) runs the ball against the Lafayette Leopards in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
When: Saturday, September 12th, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
#saturday #network #fubo
1 month ago
Katie Lou Samuelson missed all of last season in the WNBA due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Now she'll miss the end of the 2026 season, also because of a knee issue.
The Seattle Storm announced Friday that the former UConn women's basketball star will miss the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on her left knee on Thursday. The team did not state the reason why Samuelson had the procedure or when she's expected back on the court.
Seattle has four more games remaining this season and resumes game action (the WNBA remains on its World Cup break) on Thursday, Sept. 17 against Las Vegas. The Storm are one of seven teams not to make the WNBA Playoffs this season.
Samuelson signed with the Storm ahead of the 2025 season but tore the ACL in her right knee during training camp that spring. She missed all of last season recovering before making her return to the court on May 30 (Seattle's ninth game of the 2026 season). The former Husky saw action in 32 games this season and averaged 4.4 points on 40.5% shooting from the field, along with 2.1 rebounds, 0.8 ***** ists, and 0.8 steals in 15.3 minutes per game. Samuelson started one game for the Storm this year and scored a season-best 11 points against Chicago on July 15.
#samuelson #WNBA
Now she'll miss the end of the 2026 season, also because of a knee issue.
The Seattle Storm announced Friday that the former UConn women's basketball star will miss the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on her left knee on Thursday. The team did not state the reason why Samuelson had the procedure or when she's expected back on the court.
Seattle has four more games remaining this season and resumes game action (the WNBA remains on its World Cup break) on Thursday, Sept. 17 against Las Vegas. The Storm are one of seven teams not to make the WNBA Playoffs this season.
Samuelson signed with the Storm ahead of the 2025 season but tore the ACL in her right knee during training camp that spring. She missed all of last season recovering before making her return to the court on May 30 (Seattle's ninth game of the 2026 season). The former Husky saw action in 32 games this season and averaged 4.4 points on 40.5% shooting from the field, along with 2.1 rebounds, 0.8 ***** ists, and 0.8 steals in 15.3 minutes per game. Samuelson started one game for the Storm this year and scored a season-best 11 points against Chicago on July 15.
#samuelson #WNBA
1 month ago
UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley has landed his first big recruit of the 2027 class.
Five-star prospect NaVarro Bowman Jr. has committed to UConn, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported on Thursday. Bowman is the son of former San Francisco 49ers all-pro linebacker NaVarro Bowman Sr. and is UConn's first commit in this class.
Bowman is the top ranked player in California, per 247 Sports. He chose UConn over the likes of Texas and Arizona.
A Southern California native, Bowman has been a standout at Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks high school. Last season, he averaged 22.5 points, five **** ists and 4.9 rebounds per game.
In 2024, he led the Knights to the CIF SoCal Open Division finals where they eventually fell to a Brayden Burries-led Roosevelt High.
#high #class #hurley #espn
Five-star prospect NaVarro Bowman Jr. has committed to UConn, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported on Thursday. Bowman is the son of former San Francisco 49ers all-pro linebacker NaVarro Bowman Sr. and is UConn's first commit in this class.
Bowman is the top ranked player in California, per 247 Sports. He chose UConn over the likes of Texas and Arizona.
A Southern California native, Bowman has been a standout at Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks high school. Last season, he averaged 22.5 points, five **** ists and 4.9 rebounds per game.
In 2024, he led the Knights to the CIF SoCal Open Division finals where they eventually fell to a Brayden Burries-led Roosevelt High.
#high #class #hurley #espn
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1 month ago
Dan Hurley and his UConn men's basketball staff hosted top Class of 2027 recruit NaVorro Bowman Jr. over Labor Day weekend.
Bowman and his family apparently liked what the saw.
On Thursday, Bowman reportedly committed to UConn. The news spread on social media in the morning, including a post from ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. There is an NFL angle to the story: Bowman's father was a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers and a former **** istant coach with the Los Angeles Charger.
NaVorro Bowman Sr. accompanied his son on the visit to Connecticut. Bowman Jr. posted photos from the visit on his Instagram account, although he was scheduled to visit Illinois this weekend and Arizona later in the month.
Instead, he picked UConn. The 6-foot-3 combo guard from Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, Calif., is the No. 11 overall player and No. 2 combo guard in the nation, per 247Sports.com's composite rankings. He is the 12th-best prospect in the Class of 2027 according to On3.
#visit #combo
Bowman and his family apparently liked what the saw.
On Thursday, Bowman reportedly committed to UConn. The news spread on social media in the morning, including a post from ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. There is an NFL angle to the story: Bowman's father was a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers and a former **** istant coach with the Los Angeles Charger.
NaVorro Bowman Sr. accompanied his son on the visit to Connecticut. Bowman Jr. posted photos from the visit on his Instagram account, although he was scheduled to visit Illinois this weekend and Arizona later in the month.
Instead, he picked UConn. The 6-foot-3 combo guard from Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, Calif., is the No. 11 overall player and No. 2 combo guard in the nation, per 247Sports.com's composite rankings. He is the 12th-best prospect in the Class of 2027 according to On3.
#visit #combo
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0.00$
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2 months ago
Junior cornerback Kobi Albert set the tone for Southern Miss' 49-3 win over Alcorn State just one minute and 23 seconds into the game.
On a deep ball thrown by Braves quarterback Jaylon Tolbert, Albert jumped up and reeled in his first career interception, setting off an early celebration from both teammates and fans at Renasant Stadium on Sept. 5. It was his first of three interceptions for Albert and five total turnovers for the Golden Eagles.
"He's been a leader since the day we walked in here," senior quarterback Ethan Hampton said of Albert. "I don't think it's a coincidence that our leaders are making a lot of plays. ... He's a great player and he's going to continue to be a great addition for us."
Southern Miss is the fourth program Albert has been played for during his collegiate career. He started at Kentucky, before transferring to Mississippi State and then UConn, before ending up with the Golden Eagles. He entered the game without an interception.
"It's just surreal," Albert said. "The work that I put in in the offseason is just starting to pay off. Really just the work that I put in the past couple of years is starting to pay off. (I've) been at a couple places and haven't really been able to get the opportunity to get on the field. Now that I'm actually able to be on the field, I'm able to show people what I can do."
#golden
On a deep ball thrown by Braves quarterback Jaylon Tolbert, Albert jumped up and reeled in his first career interception, setting off an early celebration from both teammates and fans at Renasant Stadium on Sept. 5. It was his first of three interceptions for Albert and five total turnovers for the Golden Eagles.
"He's been a leader since the day we walked in here," senior quarterback Ethan Hampton said of Albert. "I don't think it's a coincidence that our leaders are making a lot of plays. ... He's a great player and he's going to continue to be a great addition for us."
Southern Miss is the fourth program Albert has been played for during his collegiate career. He started at Kentucky, before transferring to Mississippi State and then UConn, before ending up with the Golden Eagles. He entered the game without an interception.
"It's just surreal," Albert said. "The work that I put in in the offseason is just starting to pay off. Really just the work that I put in the past couple of years is starting to pay off. (I've) been at a couple places and haven't really been able to get the opportunity to get on the field. Now that I'm actually able to be on the field, I'm able to show people what I can do."
#golden
2 months ago
Fans may notice something is missing from the Illini hoops schedule this season, leaving them asking, where are the big home games?
It's no secret Brad Underwood has worked hard at strengthening the Illini's non-conference schedule, from agreeing to home-and-home deals, and booking out the United Center or Madison Square Garden. It just so happens that excitement will be lacking at State Farm Center this year.
A large portion of this is luck of the draw; it's the Illini's turn to travel to Cameron Indoor and battle the Blue Devils, and they'll return the favor in 2028. The same goes for Texas Tech, who will also travel to Champaign in 2028. However, away games aren't the only hurdle Underwood's squad will face, as they meet North Carolina, Missouri, and UConn, for neutral site games. The good news is UConn is being hosted at the United Center, an arena accessible to many Illini fans.
Something fans can keep in mind is that this could potentially mean a loaded home non-con schedule for the 2027-2028 season. With a "blue blood" like Duke already scheduled for SFC, any extra addition would make for a good home schedule.
Just because Kansas or UConn isn't playing the Illini in Champaign doesn't mean there is nothing to look forward to. Penn will be meeting in Champaign on Thursday, Nov. 5, looking for a rematch to its first round NCAA tournament loss the Illini handed to them (and the return of Illini arch-nemesis Fran McCaffery). Sophomore David Mirkovic posted a career high 29 points against the Quakers, and is slated to return from a left foot surgery right in time for this game.
#return
It's no secret Brad Underwood has worked hard at strengthening the Illini's non-conference schedule, from agreeing to home-and-home deals, and booking out the United Center or Madison Square Garden. It just so happens that excitement will be lacking at State Farm Center this year.
A large portion of this is luck of the draw; it's the Illini's turn to travel to Cameron Indoor and battle the Blue Devils, and they'll return the favor in 2028. The same goes for Texas Tech, who will also travel to Champaign in 2028. However, away games aren't the only hurdle Underwood's squad will face, as they meet North Carolina, Missouri, and UConn, for neutral site games. The good news is UConn is being hosted at the United Center, an arena accessible to many Illini fans.
Something fans can keep in mind is that this could potentially mean a loaded home non-con schedule for the 2027-2028 season. With a "blue blood" like Duke already scheduled for SFC, any extra addition would make for a good home schedule.
Just because Kansas or UConn isn't playing the Illini in Champaign doesn't mean there is nothing to look forward to. Penn will be meeting in Champaign on Thursday, Nov. 5, looking for a rematch to its first round NCAA tournament loss the Illini handed to them (and the return of Illini arch-nemesis Fran McCaffery). Sophomore David Mirkovic posted a career high 29 points against the Quakers, and is slated to return from a left foot surgery right in time for this game.
#return
2 months ago
Reaction to Rutgers' 37-21 loss to UMass came from all quarters of the Internet Thursday night.
From the NFL Memes X/Twitter account to John Fanta to UConn fans, everybody had something to say.
Let's start with the fact that Rutgers paid UMass $1.55 million for the game and then proceeded to lose to a team on a 16-game losing streak, a team that hadn't won a game in 677 days.
Oh, and Rutgers lit off a pre-planned fireworks show after the game.
"Rutgers paying UMass $1.5M to play them Week 1 as 30-point favorites only to lose and then set off a pre-planned fireworks show postgame might be the single saddest thing l've ever seen," posted the NFL Memes account, which has 1.5M followers.
#lose #team
From the NFL Memes X/Twitter account to John Fanta to UConn fans, everybody had something to say.
Let's start with the fact that Rutgers paid UMass $1.55 million for the game and then proceeded to lose to a team on a 16-game losing streak, a team that hadn't won a game in 677 days.
Oh, and Rutgers lit off a pre-planned fireworks show after the game.
"Rutgers paying UMass $1.5M to play them Week 1 as 30-point favorites only to lose and then set off a pre-planned fireworks show postgame might be the single saddest thing l've ever seen," posted the NFL Memes account, which has 1.5M followers.
#lose #team
2 months ago
The UConn men's basketball program has an eventful 11-game history with Duke spanning six decades. The matchups have often featured some of the sport's most iconic players facing off in the NCAA Tournament.
Over the last few months, only one game from this decorated past has really mattered around Storrs, as Braylon Mullins drilled a miraculous 35-foot heave in the final seconds to erase a 19-point first-half deficit and lift UConn to an unforgettable win over Duke in the 2026 Elite Eight.
UConn released its 2026-27 nonconference schedule in an announcement Thursday afternoon, listing the Huskies' all-time record against each opponent and the result of the most recent meeting between the two schools. The Huskies opted to twist the knife in Duke's wound, quoting Ian Eagle's memorable play-by-play call from TNT's broadcast of the Elite Eight victory in the "Last Meeting" section of Thursday's announcement.
The quote reads as follows: "Get it in to Boozer, back for Sarr, ahead, Boozer, that ball deflected! And stolen by Mullins! Karaban, two seconds, Mullins, tosses it up…OOHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
UConn's playful ribbing attracted national attention, with ESPN, among other outlets, taking note of the schedule announcement. Duke is among several high-profile opponents on UConn's schedule, as Dan Hurley has opted to challenge his team with matchups against Michigan, Ohio State, Kansas, Virginia, Arizona and Illinois.
#announcement
Over the last few months, only one game from this decorated past has really mattered around Storrs, as Braylon Mullins drilled a miraculous 35-foot heave in the final seconds to erase a 19-point first-half deficit and lift UConn to an unforgettable win over Duke in the 2026 Elite Eight.
UConn released its 2026-27 nonconference schedule in an announcement Thursday afternoon, listing the Huskies' all-time record against each opponent and the result of the most recent meeting between the two schools. The Huskies opted to twist the knife in Duke's wound, quoting Ian Eagle's memorable play-by-play call from TNT's broadcast of the Elite Eight victory in the "Last Meeting" section of Thursday's announcement.
The quote reads as follows: "Get it in to Boozer, back for Sarr, ahead, Boozer, that ball deflected! And stolen by Mullins! Karaban, two seconds, Mullins, tosses it up…OOHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
UConn's playful ribbing attracted national attention, with ESPN, among other outlets, taking note of the schedule announcement. Duke is among several high-profile opponents on UConn's schedule, as Dan Hurley has opted to challenge his team with matchups against Michigan, Ohio State, Kansas, Virginia, Arizona and Illinois.
#announcement
2 months ago
CBS Sports recently released a poll of 100 college basketball coaches asking which college basketball team was the best of the 21st century, and the results were a bit surprising.
The 2011-2012 UK Basketball team… the one with Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist… that only lost two games and won the national championship… didn't even make the top 5.
The 2011-2012 Wildcats came in at #6 while the 2014-2015 Kentucky team came in at #7 .
Here's how the list came out.
23-24 UCONN 17%
#team #davis #michael #gilchrist
The 2011-2012 UK Basketball team… the one with Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist… that only lost two games and won the national championship… didn't even make the top 5.
The 2011-2012 Wildcats came in at #6 while the 2014-2015 Kentucky team came in at #7 .
Here's how the list came out.
23-24 UCONN 17%
#team #davis #michael #gilchrist
2 months ago
Former UConn women's basketball star Gabby Williams has been tasked with leading an ultra-talented France squad that's hoping to finally knock off the United States at the FIBA Women's World Cup this month.
Williams was named captain of the Bleues Tuesday as she prepares to make her 56th appearance for France against Hungary Friday evening. She becomes the first active WNBA player to captain France at an Olympic Games or FIBA World Cup since 2014.
The Golden State Valkyries star takes over as captain from 32-year-old Valériane Ayayi, who returned to the WNBA after more than a decade this season with Phoenix. Sarah Michel, who played her entire club career overseas, captained France at the 2022 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Olympics before announcing her international retirement.
While Williams was born in Nevada, her mother, Thérèse, hails from France and the forward grew up speaking French. Excelling in both basketball and track - Williams competed in the 2012 Olympic trials - during her high school tenure, she committed to UConn over several high-profile suitors before the 2014-15 season. She used that athleticism to post one of just five triple-doubles in program history and left Storrs with two national championships and two second-team All-America selections.
Selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Williams experienced an uneven start to her professional career, playing in just 147 games over her first seven years - she was suspended for the entire 2021 season for choosing a commitment to the French national team over training camp with the Chicago Sky. She's realized her All-Star potential over the last two seasons, currently averaging a career-high 14.3 points to lead a surging 29-11 Golden State squad.
#france #captain #high
Williams was named captain of the Bleues Tuesday as she prepares to make her 56th appearance for France against Hungary Friday evening. She becomes the first active WNBA player to captain France at an Olympic Games or FIBA World Cup since 2014.
The Golden State Valkyries star takes over as captain from 32-year-old Valériane Ayayi, who returned to the WNBA after more than a decade this season with Phoenix. Sarah Michel, who played her entire club career overseas, captained France at the 2022 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Olympics before announcing her international retirement.
While Williams was born in Nevada, her mother, Thérèse, hails from France and the forward grew up speaking French. Excelling in both basketball and track - Williams competed in the 2012 Olympic trials - during her high school tenure, she committed to UConn over several high-profile suitors before the 2014-15 season. She used that athleticism to post one of just five triple-doubles in program history and left Storrs with two national championships and two second-team All-America selections.
Selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Williams experienced an uneven start to her professional career, playing in just 147 games over her first seven years - she was suspended for the entire 2021 season for choosing a commitment to the French national team over training camp with the Chicago Sky. She's realized her All-Star potential over the last two seasons, currently averaging a career-high 14.3 points to lead a surging 29-11 Golden State squad.
#france #captain #high
2 months ago
Dan Hurley's historically successful run with UConn men's basketball peaked in the spring of 2024, when his Huskies rampaged through the NCAA Tournament to clinch a second consecutive championship.
On Wednesday, CBS Sports released the latest installment of the publication's "Candid Coaches" series, asking 100 anonymous coaches to name the best college basketball team of the 21st century. Fueled by this outstanding postseason run, UConn's 2023-24 team was the most popular answer, with 17% of coaches choosing the Huskies and several highlighting Hurley's role in cultivating such historic dominance.
"Insanely dominant," one coach told CBS about the Huskies. "Five NBA players in the starting lineup. Best coach in the sport on the sidelines."
That ***** le run is part of an ongoing stretch of postseason excellence for UConn, as the Huskies reached their third national championship game in four seasons this past April before falling against Michigan. The 2025-26 Michigan team, fueled by a dominant frontcourt of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson and Aday Mara, is tied for second place at 14% with the 2000-01 Duke squad. Other top answers include 2017-18 Villanova, 2006-07 Florida and John Calipari's Kentucky squads from 2011-12 and 2014-15.
For a group of reigning champions, the 2023-24 UConn squad was hardly a runaway favorite to make another national ***** le run, as Hurley needed to replace several key contributors, including star centers Adama Sanogo and wings Andre Jackson and Jordan Hawkins. The Huskies appeared somewhat mortal early on, letting a late lead against Kansas slip away at Allen Fieldhouse to kick off December before a stunning 15-point road loss at Seton Hall three weeks later.
#huskies #team #michigan
On Wednesday, CBS Sports released the latest installment of the publication's "Candid Coaches" series, asking 100 anonymous coaches to name the best college basketball team of the 21st century. Fueled by this outstanding postseason run, UConn's 2023-24 team was the most popular answer, with 17% of coaches choosing the Huskies and several highlighting Hurley's role in cultivating such historic dominance.
"Insanely dominant," one coach told CBS about the Huskies. "Five NBA players in the starting lineup. Best coach in the sport on the sidelines."
That ***** le run is part of an ongoing stretch of postseason excellence for UConn, as the Huskies reached their third national championship game in four seasons this past April before falling against Michigan. The 2025-26 Michigan team, fueled by a dominant frontcourt of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson and Aday Mara, is tied for second place at 14% with the 2000-01 Duke squad. Other top answers include 2017-18 Villanova, 2006-07 Florida and John Calipari's Kentucky squads from 2011-12 and 2014-15.
For a group of reigning champions, the 2023-24 UConn squad was hardly a runaway favorite to make another national ***** le run, as Hurley needed to replace several key contributors, including star centers Adama Sanogo and wings Andre Jackson and Jordan Hawkins. The Huskies appeared somewhat mortal early on, letting a late lead against Kansas slip away at Allen Fieldhouse to kick off December before a stunning 15-point road loss at Seton Hall three weeks later.
#huskies #team #michigan
2 months ago
The top pro pitching prospect in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of New England has been revealed, and he hails from Connecticut.
Wallingford native Shaun Flannery Jr., a 2026 graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall, was selected for the award, according to a Tuesday morning release from the FCBL. Flannery, who is enrolled at UConn and will play baseball there, was the closer for the Norwich Sea Unicorns.
Flannery finished the game in a league-leading 15 of his 17 appearances, ranked second in saves (five) and wound up with a 3-2 record and 3.00 ERA. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-hander recorded 22 strikeouts in 21 innings during the regular season, then threw 4 ⅔ innings and yielded a single hit, picking up the win in his lone postseason appearance.
Flannery is the fourth UConn pitcher to get the top FCBL prospect honor, joining Ben Casparius and Reggie Crawford (both 2020), and Garret Garbinski (2025).
It's the second big award for Flannery in recent months. He was also the Founders League Player of the Year as a senior at Choate, where he was 3-0 with 36 strikeouts in 26 innings on the mound and batted .429 with 24 hits, a .549 on-base percentage and a 1.210 slugging percentage.
#choate
Wallingford native Shaun Flannery Jr., a 2026 graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall, was selected for the award, according to a Tuesday morning release from the FCBL. Flannery, who is enrolled at UConn and will play baseball there, was the closer for the Norwich Sea Unicorns.
Flannery finished the game in a league-leading 15 of his 17 appearances, ranked second in saves (five) and wound up with a 3-2 record and 3.00 ERA. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-hander recorded 22 strikeouts in 21 innings during the regular season, then threw 4 ⅔ innings and yielded a single hit, picking up the win in his lone postseason appearance.
Flannery is the fourth UConn pitcher to get the top FCBL prospect honor, joining Ben Casparius and Reggie Crawford (both 2020), and Garret Garbinski (2025).
It's the second big award for Flannery in recent months. He was also the Founders League Player of the Year as a senior at Choate, where he was 3-0 with 36 strikeouts in 26 innings on the mound and batted .429 with 24 hits, a .549 on-base percentage and a 1.210 slugging percentage.
#choate
2 months ago
New Canaan girls soccer forward and All-American Clare Greisen is out for the season, New Canaan coach Rich Hickson confirmed Tuesday.
The news was first reported by the New England Soccer Journal, which stated that Greisen "was shut down for the fall season in late August because of an injury." Hickson didn't disclose the nature of the injury, but did say it was not ACL-related.
Greisen is not the only future Division I player and 2025 GametimeCT First Team All-State selection out for this season.
Amity striker Maggie Kershnar suffered an ACL injury and won't play this year, Amity coach Owen Quigley said. Kershnar is committed to play at UConn beginning in 2027.
Greisen, a two-time GametimeCT All-State First Team selection, was named an All-American last season. She has committed to play soccer at Northwestern University in the Big Ten Conference.
#canaan
The news was first reported by the New England Soccer Journal, which stated that Greisen "was shut down for the fall season in late August because of an injury." Hickson didn't disclose the nature of the injury, but did say it was not ACL-related.
Greisen is not the only future Division I player and 2025 GametimeCT First Team All-State selection out for this season.
Amity striker Maggie Kershnar suffered an ACL injury and won't play this year, Amity coach Owen Quigley said. Kershnar is committed to play at UConn beginning in 2027.
Greisen, a two-time GametimeCT All-State First Team selection, was named an All-American last season. She has committed to play soccer at Northwestern University in the Big Ten Conference.
#canaan
2 months ago
Women's basketball's biggest names are headed back to Miami for Season 3 of Unrivaled.
The 3x3 league co-founded by former UConn women's basketball greats Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier continues to thrive as the premier offseason domestic league for WNBA stars.
For the second straight year, Unrivaled will feature eight clubs when its third season tips off in January 2027 (official schedule not released yet). The league announced 46 of its 48 roster spots this weekend, with the final two players to be named later. Next season's roster features six former Huskies and five former Connecticut Sun stars.
Paige Bueckers, Olivia Miles and Gabby Williams highlight the 2027 roster as Bueckers returns for her second season in Unrivaled, while Miles and Williams will make their debut. Both Miles and Williams signed multi-year contracts with the league.
Also making their Unrivaled debuts this season are Bueckers' Dallas Wings teammate Jessica Shepard, Golden State Valkyries star Kayla Thornton, New York Liberty star Marine Johannes, Portland Fire star Bridget Carleton, and current Seattle Storm/former LSU star Flau'jae Johnson.
#former #miles
The 3x3 league co-founded by former UConn women's basketball greats Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier continues to thrive as the premier offseason domestic league for WNBA stars.
For the second straight year, Unrivaled will feature eight clubs when its third season tips off in January 2027 (official schedule not released yet). The league announced 46 of its 48 roster spots this weekend, with the final two players to be named later. Next season's roster features six former Huskies and five former Connecticut Sun stars.
Paige Bueckers, Olivia Miles and Gabby Williams highlight the 2027 roster as Bueckers returns for her second season in Unrivaled, while Miles and Williams will make their debut. Both Miles and Williams signed multi-year contracts with the league.
Also making their Unrivaled debuts this season are Bueckers' Dallas Wings teammate Jessica Shepard, Golden State Valkyries star Kayla Thornton, New York Liberty star Marine Johannes, Portland Fire star Bridget Carleton, and current Seattle Storm/former LSU star Flau'jae Johnson.
#former #miles
2 months ago
New Boston College head coach Luke Murray has outlined plans to bring over many aspects of the UConn men's basketball program, from the Huskies' deliberate offensive approach to instilling a collective, team-first approach.
Murray placed the finishing touches on his debut coaching staff in Chestnut Hill over the past week, bringing yet more UConn flavor to his new home. The 41-year-old, first-time head coach hired three staff members with Connecticut ties last week, and on Monday afternoon, Murray hired Jared Terrell as a graduate ****** istant, one of Dan Hurley's best players during his time at Rhode Island.
Terrell, a consensus top-100 recruit out of Brewster Academy, marked a major early win for Hurley during his time in Rhode Island. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard shattered his lofty expectations with nearly 1,800 career points and a standout senior season, averaging 16.8 points on over 41% shooting from 3-point range for a Rhode Island squad that reeled off 16 straight wins and reached the NCAA Tournament Second Round. Terrell played one season on a two-way contract with Minnesota after he was not picked in the 2018 NBA Draft and made international stops in Turkey, Ukraine and Israel before his 2023 retirement.
As for Murray's other additions, Chris Mastrangelo arrives in Chestnut Hill as the Director of Basketball Administration after seven seasons with UConn, rising from student manager to the ****** istant Director of Basketball Operations. Andre Berry, who also played under Hurley in Rhode Island, joins Murray's staff as a player development ****** istant after graduating from UConn with a master's degree in sports management two years ago.
Hartford native Jared Jordan, who won national ****** ist ****** les at Marist in consecutive seasons and was selected in the 2007 NBA Draft, also joins the Boston College staff as Director of Player Development. Jordan, a Kingswood-Oxford graduate, enjoyed a 13-year playing career, largely in Europe, where he remains the all-time ****** ist leader in the German Bundesliga.
#rhode #director
Murray placed the finishing touches on his debut coaching staff in Chestnut Hill over the past week, bringing yet more UConn flavor to his new home. The 41-year-old, first-time head coach hired three staff members with Connecticut ties last week, and on Monday afternoon, Murray hired Jared Terrell as a graduate ****** istant, one of Dan Hurley's best players during his time at Rhode Island.
Terrell, a consensus top-100 recruit out of Brewster Academy, marked a major early win for Hurley during his time in Rhode Island. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard shattered his lofty expectations with nearly 1,800 career points and a standout senior season, averaging 16.8 points on over 41% shooting from 3-point range for a Rhode Island squad that reeled off 16 straight wins and reached the NCAA Tournament Second Round. Terrell played one season on a two-way contract with Minnesota after he was not picked in the 2018 NBA Draft and made international stops in Turkey, Ukraine and Israel before his 2023 retirement.
As for Murray's other additions, Chris Mastrangelo arrives in Chestnut Hill as the Director of Basketball Administration after seven seasons with UConn, rising from student manager to the ****** istant Director of Basketball Operations. Andre Berry, who also played under Hurley in Rhode Island, joins Murray's staff as a player development ****** istant after graduating from UConn with a master's degree in sports management two years ago.
Hartford native Jared Jordan, who won national ****** ist ****** les at Marist in consecutive seasons and was selected in the 2007 NBA Draft, also joins the Boston College staff as Director of Player Development. Jordan, a Kingswood-Oxford graduate, enjoyed a 13-year playing career, largely in Europe, where he remains the all-time ****** ist leader in the German Bundesliga.
#rhode #director
2 months ago
Arizona women's basketball's 2027 class will have plenty of size. The Wildcats received a commitment from 6-foot-2 Canadian forward Ashley Vande Ven on Sunday. The four-star player joins 6-foot wing Brieana Brown and 6-foot-4 power forward Celsy Colombo in Becky Burke's next recruiting class.
Vande Ven is ranked No. 82 in the ESPN SC Next 100. She has a scouting grade of 92 from the service.
Vande Ven is also rated as a four-star recruit by Prospects Nation. While she isn't in their top 60 players, she is part of the site's Elite 150. She is not ranked or rated by 247sports or Rivals.
"Our Canadian hoopers from British Columbia have made the trip across the border to compete and train with EIE since the beginning," Prospects Nation managing editor Chris Hansen wrote. "This year the duo of Puneet Deol of Surrey, B.C., and Ashley Vande Ven of Langley, B.C., made arguments they can compete with anyone in the lower 48 and are on their respective PN Watch Lists as well."
Although Vande Ven is from British Columbia in the Western part of Canada, she will come to Tucson from Crestwood Prep, a sports-focused high school across the country in Toronto. Crestwood produced former UConn star and current WNBA player Aaliyah Edwards and current Duke All-American Toby Fournier.
#canadian #crestwood
Vande Ven is ranked No. 82 in the ESPN SC Next 100. She has a scouting grade of 92 from the service.
Vande Ven is also rated as a four-star recruit by Prospects Nation. While she isn't in their top 60 players, she is part of the site's Elite 150. She is not ranked or rated by 247sports or Rivals.
"Our Canadian hoopers from British Columbia have made the trip across the border to compete and train with EIE since the beginning," Prospects Nation managing editor Chris Hansen wrote. "This year the duo of Puneet Deol of Surrey, B.C., and Ashley Vande Ven of Langley, B.C., made arguments they can compete with anyone in the lower 48 and are on their respective PN Watch Lists as well."
Although Vande Ven is from British Columbia in the Western part of Canada, she will come to Tucson from Crestwood Prep, a sports-focused high school across the country in Toronto. Crestwood produced former UConn star and current WNBA player Aaliyah Edwards and current Duke All-American Toby Fournier.
#canadian #crestwood
2 months ago
The University of Florida is one of seven schools on the official visit list for five-star point guard Cayden Daughtry.
Daughtry, the No. 3 overall prospect in the class of 2027, narrowed his list of 33 scholarship offers to 14 teams, including Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Providence, Tennessee, UConn, USC, Vanderbilt and Villanova, according to 247Sports.
His visit to Florida is set for Sept. 25-27, and there's potential for other get-togethers with Todd Golden's coaching staff, with Daughtry playing at Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale. Florida offered him June 5 and has quickly surged in his recruitment.
Daughtry will also visit Florida State from Aug. 28-30, Tennessee from Sept. 4-6, Iowa from Sept. 11-13, UConn from Sept. 19-21, Miami from Oct. 16-18 and Arkansas from Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
The 6-foot point guard's stock exploded over the summer following strong event performances at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions — 25 points, five **** ists, four rebounds and five steals — and The Throne, where he scored 36 points. He also won gold with USA Basketball at the FIBA U17 World Cup.
#Florida #daughtry #visit #Miami
Daughtry, the No. 3 overall prospect in the class of 2027, narrowed his list of 33 scholarship offers to 14 teams, including Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Providence, Tennessee, UConn, USC, Vanderbilt and Villanova, according to 247Sports.
His visit to Florida is set for Sept. 25-27, and there's potential for other get-togethers with Todd Golden's coaching staff, with Daughtry playing at Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale. Florida offered him June 5 and has quickly surged in his recruitment.
Daughtry will also visit Florida State from Aug. 28-30, Tennessee from Sept. 4-6, Iowa from Sept. 11-13, UConn from Sept. 19-21, Miami from Oct. 16-18 and Arkansas from Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
The 6-foot point guard's stock exploded over the summer following strong event performances at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions — 25 points, five **** ists, four rebounds and five steals — and The Throne, where he scored 36 points. He also won gold with USA Basketball at the FIBA U17 World Cup.
#Florida #daughtry #visit #Miami
2 months ago
Apple TV's recent docuseries on UConn women's basketball provided a trip down memory lane for Rebecca Lobo, documenting her journey from program-changing recruit to the leader of Geno Auriemma's first national championship squad.
Lobo's favorite moment from the three-episode series, however, captured a much more recent moment within the program. 10 days after a season-altering loss at Tennessee during the 2024-25 season, UConn bounced back resoundingly with an 87-58 win at South Carolina, prompting Auriemma to deliver a triumphant locker room speech that still resonates with Lobo.
"My favorite clip from the UConn doc. Look at the players' faces [and] how they respond to Coach's words," Lobo wrote on social media platform X. "Playing for [UConn] isn't easy, but there's great satisfaction when you accomplish challenging things together. His players care about each other [and] love him. You see that here."
The 6-foot-5 Lobo towered over her high school competition in western Massachusetts, where she emerged as one of the nation's top recruits and drew the attention of over 100 colleges around the country. Lobo ultimately stayed close to home and joined UConn, citing a focus on academics, becoming one of the first major recruits that Auriemma drew to Storrs.
Her blue-chip pedigree didn't deter Auriemma's hard-nosed coaching style, as Apple's docuseries showcased his push for Lobo to embrace a more physical brand of basketball. Auriemma's efforts ultimately paid off, as Lobo blossomed into the National Player of the Year and helped capture UConn's first national **** le with a memorable win over Tennessee in 1995.
#lobo #auriemma #recent
Lobo's favorite moment from the three-episode series, however, captured a much more recent moment within the program. 10 days after a season-altering loss at Tennessee during the 2024-25 season, UConn bounced back resoundingly with an 87-58 win at South Carolina, prompting Auriemma to deliver a triumphant locker room speech that still resonates with Lobo.
"My favorite clip from the UConn doc. Look at the players' faces [and] how they respond to Coach's words," Lobo wrote on social media platform X. "Playing for [UConn] isn't easy, but there's great satisfaction when you accomplish challenging things together. His players care about each other [and] love him. You see that here."
The 6-foot-5 Lobo towered over her high school competition in western Massachusetts, where she emerged as one of the nation's top recruits and drew the attention of over 100 colleges around the country. Lobo ultimately stayed close to home and joined UConn, citing a focus on academics, becoming one of the first major recruits that Auriemma drew to Storrs.
Her blue-chip pedigree didn't deter Auriemma's hard-nosed coaching style, as Apple's docuseries showcased his push for Lobo to embrace a more physical brand of basketball. Auriemma's efforts ultimately paid off, as Lobo blossomed into the National Player of the Year and helped capture UConn's first national **** le with a memorable win over Tennessee in 1995.
#lobo #auriemma #recent
2 months ago
Unrivaled announced several high-profile returnees to the 3x3 women's basketball league Thursday afternoon, including a "multi-year deal" with former UConn women's basketball star Paige Bueckers.
Bueckers was among the league's premier players last season, averaging over 22 points and five **** ists for a youth-laden Breeze BC squad to earn First-Team All-Unrivaled honors. The 23-year-old point guard indicated that she will rejoin the team this winter, reposting Thursday's news on her Instagram story with the caption "Breeezeeeee."
Her Breeze BC teammate, Courtney Williams, also announced her plans to rejoin Unrivaled Thursday. The remainder of last year's Breeze squad includes young post talents Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson and Dominique Malonga, along with fan-favorite Kate Martin and Fever guard Aari McDonald.
Fellow UConn alums Naphessa Collier and Breanna Stewart co-founded Unrivaled in 2023, seeking to provide a domestic alternative for WNBA players to pursue off-season basketball. Bueckers became one of the league's earliest high-profile partners, signing a groundbreaking NIL deal with Unrivaled in August 2024 that made her the first NCAA student-athlete to receive an ownership equity stake in a professional sports league. A year later, she signed a three-year contract to play for the league.
The trio's equity in the league has skyrocketed in recent months, with Unrivaled reporting a $650 million valuation earlier this week, which nearly doubled last year's figure. A recent Series C fundraising round included several high-profile investors, including UConn coach Geno Auriemma, NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and Trae Young, and actor Ashton Kutcher.
#Basketball
Bueckers was among the league's premier players last season, averaging over 22 points and five **** ists for a youth-laden Breeze BC squad to earn First-Team All-Unrivaled honors. The 23-year-old point guard indicated that she will rejoin the team this winter, reposting Thursday's news on her Instagram story with the caption "Breeezeeeee."
Her Breeze BC teammate, Courtney Williams, also announced her plans to rejoin Unrivaled Thursday. The remainder of last year's Breeze squad includes young post talents Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson and Dominique Malonga, along with fan-favorite Kate Martin and Fever guard Aari McDonald.
Fellow UConn alums Naphessa Collier and Breanna Stewart co-founded Unrivaled in 2023, seeking to provide a domestic alternative for WNBA players to pursue off-season basketball. Bueckers became one of the league's earliest high-profile partners, signing a groundbreaking NIL deal with Unrivaled in August 2024 that made her the first NCAA student-athlete to receive an ownership equity stake in a professional sports league. A year later, she signed a three-year contract to play for the league.
The trio's equity in the league has skyrocketed in recent months, with Unrivaled reporting a $650 million valuation earlier this week, which nearly doubled last year's figure. A recent Series C fundraising round included several high-profile investors, including UConn coach Geno Auriemma, NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and Trae Young, and actor Ashton Kutcher.
#Basketball
2 months ago
It's no secret that the UConn Huskies have been the boogeyman, or monster hiding under the bed, for the Illinois men's basketball program in recent memory.
It all started back in 2024, when the Illini were amidst a magical March Madness run and ended up being tasked with facing a juggernaut Huskies team in the Elite Eight.
Things started off competitively in the game, with the score tied at 23 with two minutes to go in the first half, and both teams in the fight.
And that's when things took a turn for the worse for the Orange and Blue, as the Huskies went for the kill shot, ripping off a now-infamous 30-0 run.
Illinois ended up losing 77-52 after trailing by as many as 30 points at one point in the second half,
#started #ended #half #march
It all started back in 2024, when the Illini were amidst a magical March Madness run and ended up being tasked with facing a juggernaut Huskies team in the Elite Eight.
Things started off competitively in the game, with the score tied at 23 with two minutes to go in the first half, and both teams in the fight.
And that's when things took a turn for the worse for the Orange and Blue, as the Huskies went for the kill shot, ripping off a now-infamous 30-0 run.
Illinois ended up losing 77-52 after trailing by as many as 30 points at one point in the second half,
#started #ended #half #march
2 months ago
The WNBA regular season is nearing its end, but before the league's best players take center stage for the playoffs, many will turn their attention to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
ESPN published a list Thursday of the 50 best WNBA players ahead of the international break. The list includes several former UConn women's basketball stars and a promising Connecticut Sun youngster.
Here's a look at each player on ESPN's Top 50 with ties to Connecticut, along with their ranking.
Aside from her 3-point woes, the ultra-dependable Stewart's production has hardly wavered since she graduated from UConn, averaging 20.8 points per game along with over eight rebounds and three ****** ists this season. The Liberty have fallen short of expectations with a 23-15 record, due in large part to the team's worst defensive rating in franchise history, and they will look to bounce back in the playoffs to avenge last year's first-round exit.
"The Liberty have underachieved as a whole this season, but not from a lack of excellence from Stewart, who could finish top-five in MVP voting," ESPN writes. "The three-time WNBA champion continues to do it all for New York, averaging her highest points per game since her last MVP season and ranking fifth in the league in scoring."
#WNBA #uconn #liberty #playoffs
ESPN published a list Thursday of the 50 best WNBA players ahead of the international break. The list includes several former UConn women's basketball stars and a promising Connecticut Sun youngster.
Here's a look at each player on ESPN's Top 50 with ties to Connecticut, along with their ranking.
Aside from her 3-point woes, the ultra-dependable Stewart's production has hardly wavered since she graduated from UConn, averaging 20.8 points per game along with over eight rebounds and three ****** ists this season. The Liberty have fallen short of expectations with a 23-15 record, due in large part to the team's worst defensive rating in franchise history, and they will look to bounce back in the playoffs to avenge last year's first-round exit.
"The Liberty have underachieved as a whole this season, but not from a lack of excellence from Stewart, who could finish top-five in MVP voting," ESPN writes. "The three-time WNBA champion continues to do it all for New York, averaging her highest points per game since her last MVP season and ranking fifth in the league in scoring."
#WNBA #uconn #liberty #playoffs
2 months ago
UConn football made waves on Wednesday by revealing a new red alternate jersey. It'll be the first time any team at the school has ever worn a uniform with red as the primary color.
Reviews have been mixed online. Some people love them — the players certainly reacted positively in a video posted by the team — but those who don't have been vocal in their displeasure. That same split occurred among The UConn Blog's hierarchy with Dan Madigan supporting the new look and Daniel Connolly among the opposition.
Let's embrace debate.
Connolly: I'd rather have a team go bold and fail when designing a jersey or uniform than do something that's safe but boring. UConn absolutely went bold with red jerseys, which I can respect. I'm just not sure I like them. As someone who's been clamoring for an alternate jersey for years, I was thrilled when the team teased such on social media earlier in the week. But when I saw the reveal, I was immediately disappointed. It just doesn't look like a UConn jersey. I'm willing to reserve judgement until I see them on the field in game action, but I'm giving them a thumbs-down for now.
Madigan: When UConn teased this reveal earlier in the week, I told our blog chat with Dan and Aman Kidwai that I would love to see a red jersey, but I was convinced that this would be the light/powder blue uniform they teased last April Fool's Day. I was pretty surprised to actually see the red jersey on socials on Wednesday, but I like the look. This uniform template of the past few years is quite literally as boring as it gets — there's no piping, striping or accents anywhere — so it's a lot of red and it's certainly bold. It's definitely not a subtle way to introduce the color, but I think it will look much better in real life on the Rentschler Field grass. I still wish there was more going on with these UConn uniforms overall, but I am all for this red look, and I think it will look great if they ever pair it with navy helmets and navy pants.
#jersey #teased
Reviews have been mixed online. Some people love them — the players certainly reacted positively in a video posted by the team — but those who don't have been vocal in their displeasure. That same split occurred among The UConn Blog's hierarchy with Dan Madigan supporting the new look and Daniel Connolly among the opposition.
Let's embrace debate.
Connolly: I'd rather have a team go bold and fail when designing a jersey or uniform than do something that's safe but boring. UConn absolutely went bold with red jerseys, which I can respect. I'm just not sure I like them. As someone who's been clamoring for an alternate jersey for years, I was thrilled when the team teased such on social media earlier in the week. But when I saw the reveal, I was immediately disappointed. It just doesn't look like a UConn jersey. I'm willing to reserve judgement until I see them on the field in game action, but I'm giving them a thumbs-down for now.
Madigan: When UConn teased this reveal earlier in the week, I told our blog chat with Dan and Aman Kidwai that I would love to see a red jersey, but I was convinced that this would be the light/powder blue uniform they teased last April Fool's Day. I was pretty surprised to actually see the red jersey on socials on Wednesday, but I like the look. This uniform template of the past few years is quite literally as boring as it gets — there's no piping, striping or accents anywhere — so it's a lot of red and it's certainly bold. It's definitely not a subtle way to introduce the color, but I think it will look much better in real life on the Rentschler Field grass. I still wish there was more going on with these UConn uniforms overall, but I am all for this red look, and I think it will look great if they ever pair it with navy helmets and navy pants.
#jersey #teased
2 months ago
It's getting to feel a lot like football season, but basketball news is still rolling in.
Nasir Anderson, one of the top guard prospects in the class of 2027, recently cut his list to just 10 programs, with Indiana being among them. Anderson will chose from the Hoosiers or a group consisting of Kentucky, North Carolina, UConn, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Providence, Syracuse and Virginia.
That's still a pretty wide and stacked group of programs, so Indiana still has plenty of work to do in this recruitment, but it's good to be in the game regardless.
Anderson attends Prolific Prep, based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He's rated as a 5-star prospect, per 247Sports, ranking in as the 7th highest-rated prospect overall and 2nd highest-rated point guard in the class. He's also rated as a 5-star prospect by Rivals, ranking in as the 7th highest-rated prospect overall and the 3rd highest-rated point guard in the class.
Indiana already has one commitment in 2027, La Lumiere guard Chase Branham, who's seen his stock rise as time as gone on.
#rated #anderson #prospect #Florida
Nasir Anderson, one of the top guard prospects in the class of 2027, recently cut his list to just 10 programs, with Indiana being among them. Anderson will chose from the Hoosiers or a group consisting of Kentucky, North Carolina, UConn, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Providence, Syracuse and Virginia.
That's still a pretty wide and stacked group of programs, so Indiana still has plenty of work to do in this recruitment, but it's good to be in the game regardless.
Anderson attends Prolific Prep, based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He's rated as a 5-star prospect, per 247Sports, ranking in as the 7th highest-rated prospect overall and 2nd highest-rated point guard in the class. He's also rated as a 5-star prospect by Rivals, ranking in as the 7th highest-rated prospect overall and the 3rd highest-rated point guard in the class.
Indiana already has one commitment in 2027, La Lumiere guard Chase Branham, who's seen his stock rise as time as gone on.
#rated #anderson #prospect #Florida
2 months ago
UNCASVILLE - Connecticut Sun head coach Rachid Meziane didn't hold back.
"I appreciated a lot of things last night. Tonight, I will say that I hated a lot of things: how we started the game without good energy, and we didn't respect ourselves," Meziane said. "I want to say skills, but we don't respect ourselves. So yeah, for me, the game was over at halftime."
Just 24 hours after the Sun played one of its better games of the season and defeated the Chicago Sky, it suffered one of its worst losses in terms of effort, falling 89-64 to Golden State at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Sure, the blowout was the second game of a back-to-back for Connecticut, yet the Sun's shortcomings went beyond exhaustion.
On Wednesday, the loudest cheers inside Mohegan Sun Arena were for the opposing team's former UConn women's basketball players. The next loudest roars came as a collective groan when a Sun player missed a pair of free throws.
#game #meziane #didn 't #Respect
"I appreciated a lot of things last night. Tonight, I will say that I hated a lot of things: how we started the game without good energy, and we didn't respect ourselves," Meziane said. "I want to say skills, but we don't respect ourselves. So yeah, for me, the game was over at halftime."
Just 24 hours after the Sun played one of its better games of the season and defeated the Chicago Sky, it suffered one of its worst losses in terms of effort, falling 89-64 to Golden State at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Sure, the blowout was the second game of a back-to-back for Connecticut, yet the Sun's shortcomings went beyond exhaustion.
On Wednesday, the loudest cheers inside Mohegan Sun Arena were for the opposing team's former UConn women's basketball players. The next loudest roars came as a collective groan when a Sun player missed a pair of free throws.
#game #meziane #didn 't #Respect
