UCONN | Sports

Men's Basketball: Kemba Walker

Every time Walker steps onto a court, it seems, he raises more eyebrows and his stock rises.

Walker, the NYC point guard who committed to UConn June 16, continues to shine on big stages. Here's a link.

Men's Basketball: Sticking out in pick-up

An everyday observer of UConn pickup games on the development of Jerome Dyson this summer:

"Off the charts. Scary."

Apparently, Dyson, arguably UConn's best player last season as a freshman, has taken his game to new heights.

Men's Basketball: Today's Blaney link...

George Blaney has been promoted to associate head coach.

Men's Basketball: Ed Davis a Tar Heel

Ed Davis, a 6-9 forward from Benedictine High in Mechanicsville, Va., has made an oral commitment to North Carolina. He chose the Tar Heels over UConn and Virginia.

Davis made an unofficial visit to UConn June 14 and, while courted by most every major school, had limited his list to those three.

Davis, who averaged 18 points and 14 rebounds as a junior, is one of the most highly touted players in the high school class of 2008. He is rated the 11th best player and fourth best forward according to rivals.com. Scout.com rates Davis as the second best player, and second best forward, behind only Greg Monroe of Harvey, La., who has yet to choose a school.

Football: Leftovers From Big East Media Day Tuesday

A brief respite from the auto racing grind landed me Tuesday in Newport, R.I. for the Big East’s annual media day festivities.

UConn’s six captains traded the pads and helmets for suits and ties for the chance to catch up with media members from all over in the snazzy digs of the Hotel Viking in Newport.

Dan Davis, who is moving this season from defensive end to defensive tackle made it very clear that he needs to hit someone real soon.

Davis missed all of spring practice rehabbing from arthroscopic knee surgery.

Football: UConn's Own Karate Kid Ready To Start Knocking Out Some Opponents

The UConn football team has it’s own Daniel-san.

While holding court during Big East media day festivities in Newport, R.I. Tuesday, defensive tackle Dan Davis revealed that he’s been spending a lot of time practicing karate.

Davis said he got turned on to karate by former UConn defensive end Uyi Osunde.

“I feel great,” Davis said. “I’ve got my weight down, I’m chiseled up, I’m probably the most flexible I’ve been since I’ve been here. I feel quick, I feel explosive. I’ve been taking karate this summer. That helped a lot.

Men's Basketball: Schedule thoughts...

The Big East is returning to an 18-game format this coming season, meaning UConn will play each conference team at least once. The Huskies will double up for home-and-home series with Cincinnati, Notre Dame and Providence.

The non-conference schedule includes games at Indiana, at Central Florida, at home against Georgia Tech, at home against Northeastern, at home against Quinnipiac.

Also, UConn will play Gonzaga Dec.1 at the TD Banknorth Center in Boston in the Hall of Fame Challenge. The Huskies also will host a four-team regional for the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer at Gampel Pavilion Nov. 7-8 with the winner advancing to Madison Square Garden Nov. 15-16. The other regional hosts are Kentucky, Memphis and Oklahoma. The field is not set.

UConn will play between 29 and 31 games, depending on how it fares in the 2K Classic, which guarantees two games but could yield four by advancing to NY.

Men's Basketball: Pro-Am

The Greater Hartford Pro-Am has started ... no UConn players but some pretty good basketball.

Ryan Gomes of the Celtics will be playing for Club Blu, the defending champion.

Other players with local and UConn ties (Charles Easterling, Edmund Saunders to name a couple) will play.

For a summer basketball fix, it's worth checking out. Fox Middle School, Greenfield St., Hartford. Evenings Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday Sunday.

Football: James Nixon And UConn Part Ways

Highly touted defensive back prospect James Nixon of New Haven, who had committed to the University of Connecticut football team, has decided he will not attend the school, according to his father Lionel.

New Ranking ...

Kemba Walker shot up to the No.38 ranked player in the nation, accorinding to rivals.com. He was 118th before the site's latest evaluation.

Walker, who made an oral commitment to UConn June 16, is ranked 36th by scout.com.