Friars Upset No. 11 Creighton

By Bob Murph
OMAHA, Neb.—Road wins are few and far between in the BIG EAST Conference, especially by unranked visiting teams challenging Top 20 rivals. But on Wednesday night, the unranked Friars were up to the task when they traveled to Omaha to challenge the No. 11 Creighton Bluejays, and came away with a 74-70 victory.

Anyone familiar with Providence-Creighton games know that regardless of records and rankings, they are always competitive and eminently interesting contests. Last night was no exception.

Creighton struggled from the outset as the Friars raced out to a 7-0 lead and never looked back.

“We definitely had a lot of energy,” Nate Watson said. “I’m in charge of getting the guys hyped up before the game, so we came out blazing. We wanted to throw the first punch.”

With 15:37 remaining in the first half, freshman Alyn Breed from Powder Springs, Ga., grabbed a defensive rebound and assisted on a fastbreak dunk by A.J. Reeves, giving the Friars their first double-digit lead, 13-2, at the first media timeout.

Providence continued to have success on both ends of the floor. Entering the 11:50 media timeout, the Friars had made four of their last five attempts and led by 16, at 22-6. Meanwhile, Creighton had missed 10 straight attempts and had not scored in nearly three minutes.

At the 7:45 mark, Creighton's Damien Jefferson bamged om a trey which the Friars promptly answered with a three-pointer from David Duke, staking the Friars to an 11-point advantage, 28-17.

By the final media timeout of the first half, Creighton had narrowed the gap. The Friars were on a five-minute scoring drought. Watson ended the drought with a layup with 2:17 left. The teams traded several scores in the closing minutes of the half, and the Friars went into the locker room leading 39-34 at intermission.

Providence shot 13-28 (46.4%) from the field, including 3-for-11 (27.3%) from beyond the arc, and 10-for-14 (71.4%) from the free throw line. A pesky Friar D held the Bluejays to 39.3% in the opening stanza on 11-for-28 shooting, including just 3-for-14 from (12.4%) downtown. Like the Friars, Creighton was so-so from the charity stripe, making 9-of-13 freebies (69.2%).

Breed scored the first points of the second half Friars from the free throw line 43 seconds in. The Friars increased their lead with a second-chance basket in the paint by Watson with 16:25 remaining in regulation. By the first media timeout of the half, Providence led 48-39.

Ahead of the next timeout, Greg Gantt converted a fastbreak dunk for his first basket of the game. Reeves assisted on the play. With 12:07 remaining, the Friars were back to a double-digit lead, 54-43.

But then Providence went stone cold from the field with 8:00 to play, missing six of seven shots. The Bluejays mounted an 11-2 run, cutting the Rriard lead to 56-54. From that point on, it was a tick-for-tac affair, but the Friars never relinquished the lead.

Breed extended the Friars advantage to six, 65-59, shortly before the final media timeout. But the Bluejays would not go away.

With 0:56 left, a layup by Creighton's Mitch Ballock made it a two-point game, but Duke responded with an improbable three-point bank shot from the left wing with 28 ticks left to give put the Friars up by five.

After Watson added two free throws, Friars were up by seven, 72-65. But the game was not over. In PC-Creighton games, it never is.

With just five seconds left in regulation, Creighton's Marcus Zegarowski knocked down a three-pointer to cut the Providence lead to a bucket, 72-70. But when Duke was fouled on the next possession, the Providence native calmly dropped in two from the charity stripe, giving the Friars a two-possession lead to close out the contest.

“I feel like there was definitely a little bit more urgency tonight,” Watson said. “Creighton, they’re a really good team, but they didn’t really have the size in there. So we utilized it.”

Providence finished 25-for-56 (44.6%) from the field, including 5-for-18 (27.8%) from beyond the arc, and 19-for-26 (73.1%) from the free throw line. Creighton, meanwhile, shot 25-for-58 from the floor (43.1%), including 4-for-23 (17.4%) from three-point land, and were 16-for-24 (66.7%) from the charity stripe.

The Friars had four players in double-figure. Watson led the way with a career-high 29 points, followed by Breed wit 15 points, Duke (12 points), and Nichols (10 points). Duke finished with a game-high five assists, and Reeves pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.

Cooley pointed to the three-pointer by Duke down the stretch as the game-breaker. Keep in mind that Duke had been having an atrocious shooting night, having converted just one of 10 shots from the field when he threw down the trey.

“I’m just really proud of his mental toughness,” Cooley said. “His three, to me, was the game-winner. I know how the game played out, but that was a dagger. When you have players like Nate and David on the floor, you are going to give yourself an opportunity night in and night out.

“To come into this building and win, we were really fortunate,” continued Cooley. “Really, really good game execution. Really happy for my team.”

Damien Jefferson and Marcus Zegarowski led the way for the Bluejays, with 26 and 17 points, respectively.

The Friars ruled the boards, out-rebounding the Bluejays by eight.

With the win, the Friars improved to 8-6 overall and 4-4 in BIG EAST play. Creighton, meanwhile, fell to 10-4, 6-3.

Up next, the Friars are bound for Philly to challenge the No. 3 Villanova Wildcats on Saturday. Tip-off at 2:30 p.m. (ET), and the game will be televised nationally o on FOX. As always, local fans can catch the game on WPRO-AM and WDOM-FM.

—with staff reports

Alyssa Thomas Undergoes Successful Surgery

UNCASVILLE—The Connecticut Sun announced that forward Alyssa Thomas, often referred to as the team's heart and soul, underwent successful surgery on Tuesday afternoon to repair a torn Achilles tendon.

The reparative surgery was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson of Bellin Health Titletown Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dr. Anderson also serves as an Associate Team Physician for the Green Bay Packers.

No timetable has been set for Thomas's return.

—Staff Reports

A Letter From the Hartford Athletic

HARTFORD—The following letter was issued today by Hartford Athletic Chairman Bruce Mandell:

Dear Fans,

Thank you for your support of Hartford Athletic and the Greater Hartford Community throughout 2020. In spite of the challenges of the pandemic, we accomplished so much together. We truly have the best fans and partners, and together we can achieve anything. Here are some of the accomplishments made possible with your support in 2020:

We became the first professional sports team in the state (and one of the first in the country) to play games in our home market after the onset of the pandemic, as well as one of the first to host fans in the stands. We worked closely with the City and the State to create potocols to allow us to operate safely at limited capacity, and although smaller in numbers, you brought the noise while diligently following health protocols at the same time. Thank you to our City and State leaders for making this possible and to all of the healthcare workers who have been working tirelessly to keep us safe.

Whether you were in the stadium, at home, or at a drive-in watch party, you continued to prove that you’re the most avid fans around. We saw a 300% increase in viewership between MyTV9 and ESPN+, our first national telecast on ESPN2 (with 50,000 viewers!), and the 4th highest social media engagement rate in the league with 15 million impressions across channels.

We won Group F and achieved our goal of making the playoffs for the first time in club history. In the process, our players and staff did not record a single positive COVID-19 test this season as they adhered to strict testing and protocols.

Returning Captain Danny Barrera’s spectacular goal against Philadelphia Union II, dubbed “The Immaculate Deflection,” went viral and appeared on SportsCenter, The Dan Patrick Show, and news outlets around the world. We followed that Top 10 Goal with another one off the foot of Conor McGlynn to clinch Group F in front of our amazing supporters who watched the road match from a parking garage (hats off to the Mad Hat Massive, 19th Regiment, Elm City Casuals, East Side Rising, The Boonies and Raza Brava). Beer, pizza, drums, and trumpets were seen and heard..

We launched the Green & Blue Foundation and unveiled our Community Platform underpinned by our five pillars of support: Health & Wellness, Diversity & Inclusion, Youth & Family Education, Economic Development, and Veterans & First Responder Support. With the help of our many corporate partners, we made a difference in the community including raising nearly $20,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford, donating over 15,000 meals to Foodshare, and supporting over a dozen local businesses that participated in Shop for A Cause. Thank you to our Founding Partners Trinity Health of New England, The Hartford, Stanley Black & Decker, Travelers, and Cigna as well as to all of our 32 corporate partners and our 30 Business Alliance and Pub Partners for your continued support and investment in our community.

We sold out every game thanks to our Season Ticket Members and Supporters. Special thank you to our season ticket holders who graciously donated the value of tickets for matches that were canceled to the Club. We have already added several hundred new Season Ticket Members for next season and are excited to keep growing. If you are interested in becoming a Season Ticket Member, please visit hartfordathletic.com/seasontickets..

As we look ahead to 2021, we are excited to announce our new Head Coach, Harry Watling. Harry joins us from West Ham United of the Premier League where he served as Head Coach in their prestigious Academy program. He is a young, exciting and hungry coach who is highly regarded as a rising star in England and who specializes in developing and maximizing talent. We will be hosting a virtual Fan Forum on Thursday January 21st where you can meet our new Head Coach and ask him any questions you have about the team. Please join us and register here..

We are also happy to share that Danny Barrera, Alex Lara, Conor McGlynn, Arthur Rogers, Gabriel Torres, and Alfonso Vazquez are returning from last season’s squad. This core group is one that will build on the success we had last season, and with the support of a number of talented new signings will lead us deep into the playoffs. We have already announced three new signings, midfielder Nii Armah Ashitey, defender Younes Boudadi and goalkeeper Carlos Merancio, and we have many more on the way..

The USL Championship Board of Governors has given approval to explore an early May start date, and we expect to play a full slate of matches in 2021. Given the success we had working with our City and State officials in 2020, we are confident that we will be able to host fans the entire season. As soon as more information becomes available, we will share it with you..

Although 2020 was a trying year for all of us, I’m amazed, energized and uplifted by the support of our fans and corporate partners. Together, we brought life, excitement and a winning culture to Hartford. We continue to deepen our roots in the community, enhance the lives of those in need, and work hard every day to make our home the best place to live, work, and play..

Now for my 2021 guarantee… Raza Brava drum roll please – this year we win a playoff game!.

If you haven’t bought season tickets yet, please do so as soon as possible; seating may still be limited in 2021 and we need you with us to accomplish all our goals!.

If you have any ideas or suggestions, please email me directly at.

brucem@hartfordathletic.com.

Best,.

Bruce.

Dunn Ditches Boot

By Bob Murph

STORRS—Kris Dunn had his walking boot removed from his surgically repaired right ankle last Thursday, according to a report by Marc J. Spears of ESPN.com.

The 26-year-old former New London High and Providence College star, who currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA, had been confined to the boot for approximately two weeks after undergoing an arthroscopic ankle procedure Dec. 30.

Now that the boot is off, Dunn will be cleared for weight-bearing rehabilitation and modified form shooting. However, his return to full-court, full-contact work in practice is still likely several weeks in the offing.

—Staff Reports

St. John's Storms Past Huskies

By Bob Phillips

STORRS—Playing without star guard James Bouknight, who underewent elbow surgery last week, the UConn Huskies dropped a tight game to St. John's, falling 74-70 Monday afternoon at Gampel Pavilion in Big East men's hoops action on Martin Luther King Day.

Junior R.J. Cole led the Huskies with 18 points, while two others finished in double figures. Classmate Tyrese Martin chipped in 14 points and six rebounds and freshman Adama Sanogo added a dozen points as well.

UConn led by as many as 14 in the opening frame, jumping out to a 21-7 lead following a flurry of triples and some tough defense. Cole knocked in four triples for a dozen first half points, as six different players scored in the half. Although St. John's chipped away at the deficit over the remainder of the half, the Huskies held a 35-32 lead at the break.

Isaiah Whaley, Adama Sanogo and Cole scored in the paint on three-straight possessions to give the Huskies their largest lead of the half, 49-41, and forced the Johnnies to take a timeout. The visitors responded and battled all the way back to take the lead, 64-63, late in the half.

UConn and St. John's traded blows down the stretch, with the visitors holding a slim advantage. Tyrese Martin's triple with 55 seconds left pulled the Huskies within a point, but St. John's closed the game at the charity stripe and held on for the win.

The loss dropped the Huskies to 7-2 overall, while the Red Storm improved to 8-7.

The Huskies, ranked No. 23 in today's AP poll, now have two days to regroup before they entertain Xavier (10-2 overall, 3-2 Big East0 on Wednesday at Gampel. Tip-off is slated for 8:30 p.m. (ET), and the game will be televised live on CBSSN. The Huskies will again be without Bouknight. The 6-5 sophomore from Brooklyn is expected to be rehabbing for a few more weeks.

—With Staff Reports

Friars Stop Bears

PROVIDENCE—The 16th-ranked Providence College men's hockey team got third period goals from Craig Needham and Albin Nilsson en route to a 3-2 win over Maine on Saturday at Schneider Arena.

Cam McDonald got the Friars on the board early (6:54) with his first goal of the season as he beat Ostman to the short side off the post. Parker Ford and Greg Printz earned the assists.

Providence killed the game's first four penalties before getting its first crack on the man-advantage, but it was the Black Bears who struck shorthanded to even the score on a goal by Eduards Tralmaks.

The Friars pulled ahead 2-1 with a goal from Craig Needham in the third (7:41). Set up by Chase Yoder, Needham finished off his third goal of the season on a re-direct at the top of the crease.

Sophomore Albin Nilsson gave the Friars insurance with his first career goal, extending the lead to 3-1. Nilsson cleaned up a rebound off of a Jason O'Neill shot after Max Crozier got the puck down to the net.

Tralmaks tallied his second of the game with just over a minute left in regulation with the extra attacker.

With the win, the Friars snapped their two-game losing streak and improved to .500 (5-5-2). Providence outshot the Black Bears 15-3 in the third period and 33-23 overall. Up next for Providence will be the UMass Minutemen in a home-and-home series next weekend Friday, Jan. 22 and Sat. Jan 23.

PC HIGHLIGHTS
Goals: McDonald, Nilsson, Needham (1)
Assists: Koopman, Yoder, O'Neill, Ford, Crozier (1)
Points: McDonald, Nilsson, Needham, Koopman, Yoder, O'Neill, Ford, Crozier (1)
Shots: Yoder (4)

POWER PLAYS
Providence – 0/3
Maine – 0/4

SHOTS
Providence – 33
Maine – 23

—Staff Reports

Saylor Poffenbarger Joins Huskies

STORRS—Saylor Poffenbarger has enrolled in classes and will join the UConn women’s basketball team this season, head coach Geno Auriemma announced Friday..

“I know Saylor’s really excited. This is an unprecedented event for us for a lot of reasons, but this is an unprecedented year,” Auriemma said. “Opportunities have presented themselves that weren’t available for the past. I’m excited for Saylor and her family that they wanted to take advantage of this opportunity and I can’t wait to coach her in practice and have her as part of the team.”.

A Class of 2021 signee, Poffenbarger will be eligible to participate in team activities and play this season after completing a medical quarantine. She is scheduled to arrive on campus this weekend. Ranked as the No. 30 recruit in her class by ESPN’s HoopGurlz Rankings, Poffenbarger is the 13th-ranked guard in the class.

The 6-foot-2 Middletown, Md., native won gold for USA Basketball at the 2019 FIBA Americas U16 Championship. She averaged 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in the tournament. Poffenbarger was named all-state first team in 2018 and 2019. She was also tabbed the conference player of the year in 2018 and 2019..

Poffenbarger will wear No. 4 at UConn.Nine Big East WBB Games Rescheduled

—Staff Reports

#BIGEASTwbb Announces Schedule Updates

NEW YORK—The BIG EAST Conference has announced the rescheduling of nine women’s basketball contests, including six which were postponed earlier this season. Additionally, three upcoming games saw their dates shifted. Of the nine adjusted contests, two will air live on SNY—Seton Hall at UConn on Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. ET, and Connecticut at Xavier on Feb. 20. Tip time for the Huskies-Musketeers tilt will be announced at a later date. The remaining seven rescheduled matchups will stream live on the BIG EAST Digital Network presented by SoFi, available on FloSports.

BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Schedule Updates:

Jan. 21 – DePaul at Butler, 7 p.m.* (previously Jan. 7)
Feb. 1 – Marquette at Creighton, 3 p.m.* (previously Jan. 6)
Feb. 10 – Seton Hall at UConn, 6:30 p.m.^ (previously Jan. 13)
Feb. 19 – Villanova at Marquette, 8 p.m.* (previously Jan. 9)
Feb. 20 – Creighton at DePaul, 5 p.m.* (previously Jan. 10)
Feb. 20 – UConn at Xavier, TBD^ (previously Jan. 13)
Feb. 22 – Xavier at Butler, 6 p.m.* (updated from Feb. 20)
Feb. 27 – St. John’s at Creighton, 2 p.m.* (updated from Feb. 20)
March 1 – Seton Hall at St. John’s, TBD* (updated from Feb. 27)

All times Eastern and subject to change

*BEDN


—Staff Reports

Miller Inks Contract Extension

UNCASVILLE—The Connecticut Sun have announced that General Manager and Head Coach Curt Miller has signed a four-year contract extension through the 2024 WNBA season. Per team policy, no details were released.

"I would like to thank the Mohegan Tribe leadership, along with Amber Cox, for their renewed commitment and faith in what we are doing,” said Miller. “I'm incredibly proud of the culture and sustained success we have established. So much of that has to do with the players we have had and continue to have here; and their excellence both on and off the court.

“Together, and along with my outstanding staff, I look forward to continuing to work to do all we can to bring a WNBA championship here to Connecticut. This team, franchise, and our loyal fan base deserve that, and I'm humbled to continue to have the opportunity to lead them."

Miller began coaching the Sun in 2016 and has compiled an overall regular season record of 89-69 and a postseason record of 9-8. In the past two seasons, Miller led the Sun to the 2019 WNBA Finals and the 2020 WNBA Semifinals, respectively, pushing both series to Game 5.

In 2019, Connecticut posted an overall record of 23-11 and a home record of 15-2, which tied a franchise best recorded in 2011. After concluding the 2019 season Miller ranked 18th all-time on the regular season wins’ list with 79 victories.

With a roster of new players and an unorthodox season played away from Mohegan Sun Arena, Connecticut started the year 0-5 in 2020, but eventually completed the season as the No. 7 seed with a 10-12 record. The Sun became just the third team in WNBA history to begin the season with 5+ losses and reach the playoffs and the first to reach the semifinals.

With the Sun’s 10-12 mark in 2020, Miller ascended to 17th all-time in wins in the WNBA after surpassing Pat Coyle (81). He sits two wins away from passing Corey Gaines (90). Since 2017, Miller’s 75 regular season wins trails only Cheryl Reeve (77).

Hired prior to the 2016 season as the head coach, Miller led the Sun to a 14-20 record, including a three game win-streak to end the regular season. Prior to the 2017 season, Miller added general manager duties to his role. He then guided the team to back-to-back 21-13 records in 2017 and 2018, advancing to the WNBA Quarterfinals both years after a five-year absence in the postseason. For his efforts, Miller was awarded WNBA Coach and Executive of the Year and Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2017.

Among active coaches in the WNBA, Miller sits with nine playoff wins, the most of any coach over the last two seasons and second behind Mike Thibault (12) for most playoff wins by a team/coach since 2017.

Prior to joining the Sun, Miller spent time at Bowling Green State University from 2001-12. In 11 seasons, he compiled a record of 258-92 and set the record for most coaching victories in a career and a season with 31 in 2006-07. He also earned Mid-American Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year a record six times and led the team to eight consecutive regular season MAC titles and five MAC tournament championships. Miller also coached at Indiana University from 2012-14 before entering the WNBA.

“Curt has done a tremendous job during his tenure,” said Amber Cox, Vice President of Sports at Mohegan Sun. “He’s built a culture on and off the court that has resulted in sustained success, making this a destination for players, coaches and staff. I’m thrilled to extend Curt’s contract and continue our journey to help bring home the franchise’s first WNBA Championship.”

—Staff Reports

Friars Add Union Transfer Jack Adams

PROVIDENCE—The Providence College Friars announced that Jack Adams has joined the men's hockey team, and is eligible to compete this weekend against Boston University.

Adams, a sixth-round selection (No. 162) of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2017 NHL Draft, joins the program after spending three seasons at Union College where he totaled 14 goals and 21 points in 66 career games played. The Boxford, Mass. native missed the entire 2019-20 season due to injury.

Prior to Union, Adams spent two seasons with the Fargo Force of the USHL where he led the league in goals with 37 and finished fifth in scoring with 60 points during the 2016-17 season. He also spent three varsity seasons at Malden (Mass.) Catholic High School from 2012-15.

Adams is the brother of the late Mark "Roo" Adams, who appeared in 98 games for the Friars from 2010-15 and was part of the program's first NCAA title in 2015.

For more updates on the Providence College men's hockey program, follow the team on Twitter @FriarsHockey.

—Staff Reports

Report: Huskies' Center Leaving

STORRS—Javonte Brown has left the UConn men's basketball program, the school announced Friday. He will reportedly enter the transfer portal.

Brown told the New Haven Register he’s leaving because of the departure of former assistant coach Kenya Hunter, who departed Storrs for Indiana in the offseason. Hunter recruited Brown to UConn and Brown told the Register he considered leaving back in August alongside the coach.

Brown re-classified from the 2021 class to 2020 to come to UConn early from Thornlea Secondary School in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada. The four-star recruit was one of three freshmen — alongside Adama Sanogo and Andre Jackson — in Dan Hurley’s No. 23 ranked recruiting class for 2020.

All of UConn’s true freshmen have struggled at points this season. Jackson has stumbled offensively and Sanogo has slowed in conference play after a strong showing against non-conference competition.

The 7-foot center has not played much this season, logging just four total minutes in two appearances in UConn’s first six games. He has scored four points and grabbed two boards this season, all coming in the season opener against CCSU.

Brown said he was disappointed by the lack of playing time but the amount he received was expected when he agreed to come to the school, according to the Register.

There has been no official word as to where Brown could potentially be going at this time, but the freshman noted that Indiana could be an option, according to the Register.

—SB Nation/The UConn Blog

AHL Announces Division Alignment

By Bob Phillips

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—The Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins are in; the Springfield Thunderbirds are not in this COVID-shortened season. The American Hockey League will field 28 teams during the 2021 campaign, which will get underway on Feb. 5.

The AHL will operate in five divisions this season. They are:

Atlantic Division Bridgeport Sound Tigers Hartford Wolf Pack Providence Bruins

Canadian Division Belleville Senators Laval Rocket Manitoba Moose Toronto Marlies (all pending provincial government approval)

North Division Binghamton Devils Hershey Bears Lehigh Valley Phantoms Rochester Americans Syracuse Crunch Utica Comets Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Central Division Chicago Wolves Cleveland Monsters Grand Rapids Griffins Iowa Wild Rockford IceHogs Texas Stars

Pacific Division Bakersfield Condors Colorado Eagles Henderson Silver Knights Ontario Reign San Diego Gulls San Jose Barracuda Stockton Heat Tucson Roadrunners

The Charlotte Checkers, Milwaukee Admirals and Springfield Thunderbirds have elected to suspend play for the 2020-21 season. All three teams will return to play in 2021-22.

In addition, four teams have been granted provisional relocation for the 2020-21 season: The Binghamton Devils will play in Newark, NJ; the Ontario Reign will play in El Segundo, Calif.; the Providence Bruins will play in Marlborough, Mass.; and the San Diego Gulls will play in Irvine, Calif.

—With Staff Reports

UConn Women's Game With Seton Rescheduled for Jan. 13

By Bob Phillips

STORRS—The UConn women's basketball team will host Seton Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 13, in Gampel Pavilion at 4:30 p.m. The game will be televised on SNY.

The Pirates were previously scheduled to travel to Storrs on Feb. 10.

UConn was previously scheduled to travel to Xavier next Wednesday, but the Musketeers announced a pause in team activities due to contract tracing yesterday.

UConn and Seton Hall previously faced each other on Dec. 15, when the H=uskies picked up a 92-65 win in South Orange, N.J.

—With Staff Reports

Bouknight Named To Wooden Short List

LOS ANGELES—UConn sophomore guard James Bouknight has been named to the John R. Wooden Award Mid-Season Top 25 Watch List, announced today by the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Bouknight, who currently leads the Big East Conference in scoring and was named to the Wooden Award Top 50 preseason watch list last month, joins a list of 25 players across the country who are front-runners for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award, which encompasses the Wooden Award All-American Team, as well as the Most Outstanding Player Award.

UConn's top scorer with a 20.3 average, Bouknight has led the @UConnHuskies to a 5-1 mark so far this season. He is also on the watch list of two other national awards, the Naismith Trophy Award and the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award. The Brooklyn, NY, native has been named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll twice this season. He was also named to the Preseason All-Big Eeast Second Team. He is UConn's leading returning scorer from last season (13.0).

The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2021 John R. Wooden Award Men's Player of the Year. Players not chosen to the mid-season list are still eligible for the Wooden Award late season list, and the National Ballot. The National Ballot consists of 15 top players who have proven to their universities that they meet or exceed the qualifications of the Wooden Award.

Nearly 1,000 voters will rank in order 10 of those 15 players when voting opens prior to the NCAA Tournament and will allow voters to take into consideration performance during early-round games. The Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced the week of the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2021 John R. Wooden Award will be presented by Wendy's following the NCAA Tournament in April.

—Staff Reports

AHL Announces Start of Abreviated Season

SPRINGFIELD—Following is a statement from American Hockey League President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Howson regarding the league’s 2020-21 season issued on December 30, 2020:


“The American Hockey League Board of Governors has approved the structural framework for an AHL season that will begin on February 5, 2021."
“Details are still being worked out, but this step allows our teams and their National Hockey League partners to better determine their plans for the coming season. We look forward to dropping the puck on Feb. 5.”


The Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Hartford Wolf Pack are both members of the American Hockey League. The Sound Tigers are the top minor league affiliate of the New York Islanders, while the Wolf Pack are the New York Rangers' top farm team.

—Staff Reports