http://www.yardbarker.com/content/team/803 Recent articles about the Connecticut Huskies en-us A couple of days ago I did a blog on what I thought was my way-too-early Top 25 in college basketball. Well, today I figured I would go a little bit further with that, and give you a rundown of my top 5 teams. Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:53:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285846 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285846 During a press conference held on the campus of the University of Connecticut, head basketball coach Jim Calhoun announced that he recently had a cancerous mass removed from his neck on May 6th. Fri, 30 May 2008 13:43:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/272519 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/272519 You may have won last month's March Madness office pool, but can you guess which is the strongest NCAA champion of all time? Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:17:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/260347 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/260347 UCONN's star center Hasheem Thabeet, projected as a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft, has decided to stay and play for the Huskies as a junior next season. The 7-foot-3 center ranked third in the nation last season with 147 blocked shots and led UCONN to a 24-9 record, garnering the Big East's Defensive Player of the Year award. I guess you could say THABEET goes on for the Huskies. Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:10:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/260134 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/260134 Nigerian 7-foot-1-inch center Chukwuma Okwandu, apparently a mix between Chumbawumba and Olowakandi, has decided to play for UCONN basketball next season. Okwandu, who made his decision on Wednesday, has already attended Harcum College in Pennsylvania for a year so he will have three years to play for the Huskies. Oh, and in case Chukwuma Okwandu doesn't roll off the tongues of you UCONN fans, his nickname is Charles (I'm not kidding). Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:54:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/239928 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/239928 Tyreke Evans, the super-talented American Christian Academy guard and MVP of the McDonald's All- American Game, said last night that he was leaning heavily toward picking Villanova after making an official visit with the basketball coaching staff Tuesday night. "After eating with Jay and talking to Jay, he kept it real with me," Evans said of the meeting with Villanova coach Jay Wright. "He told me the things I wanted to hear and some things I didn't want to hear but will make me a better player." Evans, the nation's top unsigned basketball recruit, and several relatives and a family friend attended a two-hour meeting with Wildcats staff at Wright's Main Line residence. "He showed me the respect he has for the players and how much of a family they are," Evans said. Villanova's strong pitch made a strong impression. "They pretty much wanted 'Reke's undivided attention," said Reggie Evans, Tyreke Evans' older brother and legal guardian. "It was a very thorough, detailed visit," said Lamont Peterson, an assistant coach at American Christian. "They went over how they planned to use him, how they could help him" in his quest to reach the NBA. In addition to Evans, his older brothers - Reggie, Doc and Pooh - cousin Meek Evans, and Peterson visited with Wright and his staff. Evans has said his list of college choices is narrowed to Villanova, Memphis, Texas and Connecticut. The 6-foot-6 Evans said he would announce his decision on April 16, the first day of the spring signing period. ESPNU and ESPN News both plan to carry the press conference live. Evans also made an official visit to Memphis and unofficial stops at Texas, Connecticut, Seton Hall and Louisville. Evans will not make any more visits. "For me, it's about who can take 'Reke, break him down and build him back up," Reggie Evans said of the decision. "There are good and bad perks about staying close to home and playing. . . . People say I will have [a major influence on the decision], but this is 'Reke's decision." Evans, a Parade All-American, will compete in the 11th annual Nike Hoop Summit on April 12 in Portland, Ore. While there, he and his brothers will go over his options, Reggie Evans said. He said they hope to come close to having a decision before they head back home. "We are going to sit down and say, 'This [current college player] is leaving' " for the NBA, Reggie Evans said. 'This is who is staying.' " At least one person close to Tyreke is pulling for the Wildcats. Peterson, who wore a Villanova T-shirt on Evans' visit to Memphis, would love for him to stay home. "Jay is a great coach," Peterson said, referring to Wright. He pointed out that Wright's former guards - Kyle Lowry and Randy Foye - are both in the NBA. Another former 'Nova guard, Allan Ray, is playing professionally in Italy after a season with the Boston Celtics. "He's proven to be a great guard coach," Peterson said of Wright. "If Tyreke stayed home, it would be great for the community." Evans averaged 29 points, eight rebounds, six assists and 4.3 steals per game this season. After the Nike Hoop Summit, the 18-year-old will play in the Jordan Brand All-American Game on April 19 at Madison Square Garden. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:00:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/228494 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/228494 I want to settle a concern that many have addressed: that UCLA might possibly lose to the #12 seeded Hilltoppers. Ummmmm…AHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAAAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:49:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215786 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215786 Well, as expected, there have been a few surprises in the Tournament so far. I being busy re-modeling my garage have been a bit slow to comment on these (as if anyone cared…). Be that as it may, here are my observations… Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:41:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215368 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215368 Interested in upsets? Satisfied. The first day of the 2008 NCAA college basketball tournament was bit of a snooze, admit it were all a little let down by Belmont. Day 2 however, started and finished with a BANG! Davidson's Stephen Curry answered the call and delivered with authority, Jim Calhoun was sent packing before his suitcases were even empty and my man crush Jay Wright avoided costing his Villanova Wildcats a chance at the round of 32, surviving an epic battle with Clemson. Did I mention that Sunday afternoon will include the likes of Western Kentucky & Siena? Sat, 22 Mar 2008 13:57:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/214139 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/214139 The passion, the upsets, buzzer beaters, blowouts. It all happened in the first round. Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:20:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213850 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213850 Talk about huge letdowns, Clemson had their usual collapse, while Uconn might have forgot that there was a game being played in Tampa. Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:38:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213829 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213829 A 4-Peat upset in Tampa Bay sounded absolutley rediculous. But after Ty Rogers buzzer beater 3 in OT, after De'Jon Jackson's step back jumper beat UConn, after the Siena Saints told Shan Foster's Commodores to go home, and after Scottie Reynolds and the Wildcats waved goodbye to a hot Clemson team, it all looked so perfect for the underdogs. This has never been done before. One city, one day, four upsets. I didn't pick one of them either. Not one. So this kind of ruined my bracket because I had Clemson and UConn in the Sweet 16. It is so much fun to watch, yet so heartbreaking... Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:37:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213783 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213783 Finally. The madness has returned. And there's nobody happier in the world than me. You see, I've been in love with the game of basketball since the age of two. The year was 1991 and my parents had just presented me with a Fisher-Price basketball hoop for my birthday. Seeing that I was just learning that my fingers weren't actually food and other now-hilarious childhood facts.. Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:58:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/212757 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/212757 On the eve of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, FIO staff writer Dan Mesday releases his picks for the First Round games. Included, find Mesday's personal bracket, as well as some interesting commentary on each match-up. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:01:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/211098 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/211098 That's ok though, because it's like the Madden jinx to be placed on something like this. The regional covers include Georgetown's DaJuan Summers, Connecticut's Jeff Adrien, Xavier's Drew Lavender, Tennessee's Chris Lofton, Kansas's Brandon Rush and UCLA's Kevin Love. Luckily I guess, Carolina and Tyler Hansbrough were left off of this list, maybe SI is making them their pick for the Tourney victory! Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:52:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/211094 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/211094