Volume CXVIII No. 158
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Draft Extra
2011 NFL DRAFT
TONIGHT – 8 P.M., ESPN RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, NEW YORK
Todman ready for life at the next level Page 2
Who else could be drafted? Page 3
Springer a program builder Page 4
Barnes close to realizing dream Page 5
Page 2
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Homecoming Draft ExtraExtra
ASHLEY POSPISIL/The Daily Campus
Jordan Todman makes a cut during the 2011 Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1. UConn lost to Oklahoma 48-20 in the school’s first BCS bowl appearance, and Todman subsequently declared his intentions to enter the NFL Draft.
Todman ready for life at the next level By Willy Penfield Staff Writer The long journey from Dartmouth High School in Massachusetts to the University of Connecticut to the NFL comes to an end for running back Jordan Todman Thursday night as the annual NFL Draft commences at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Todman and the other draft hopefuls will be waiting on Thursday night for their name to be called and NFL careers to begin. Many prospective NFL players will attend draft parties or the actual draft at Radio City Music Hall, but Todman plans on keeping it simple. “I’m going to be home in Massachusetts,” Todman said. “I’ll stay home with my family and stay low key and just relax.” Mock drafts have Todman going anywhere from the second round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the fourth round to the Seattle Seahawks, but round and team are not as important as the opportunity itself. “Just having the opportunity to play in
the NFL is a dream come true,” Todman said. “So beggars can’t be choosers.” NFL scouts have shown their concern about Todman’s size. He measured in at 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds at the NFL Combine, and they are not convinced he can be an every-down back in the NFL, despite carrying the ball 334 times this past season and being the second leading rusher in the nation, with 1,695 yards. Small running backs have proven they can withstand the grueling NFL schedule, i.e. the 5-foot7 208-pound Maurice Jones-Drew, and Todman feels he can do the same. “Being able to carry the ball over 300 times last year can speak for my small frame,” Todman said at the NFL Combine in March. “Not too many running backs in the NFL right now singularly carry the ball 300 times a season. For those who say I’m too small, hopefully that speaks for that.” Todman refuses to listen to the doubters and knows that he is on the same level as the other running backs in the draft, like Mark Ingram and Mikel LeShoure. “I definitely feel like I am,” Todman said. “I got the opportunity to go to the Combine,
show I’m on the same level and did the same things they did, and I held my own. I feel like I earned that respect from them, so I agree, I am on the same playing field.” Former teammate and current Indianapolis Colt Donald Brown has been able to give Todman some guidance throughout the strenuous process leading up to the draft. “Me and Donald Brown went out to breakfast in California,” Todman said. “We talked football, talked memories. It was good to learn some stuff from him. He told me to continue to work, the business part and to make the right decisions and stay humble.” Todman’s football career began in Dartmouth, Mass. at Dartmouth High School, where he became the second leading rusher in Massachusetts state history with 5,083 yards and 70 touchdowns. He earned All-State honors twice and was conference Player of the Year in his senior season. Massachusetts is not known for topflight football prospects. Rivals.com rated Todman a two-star prospect, but some of college football’s top programs recruited Todman.
“I was recruited by Boston College and Penn State,” Todman said at the NFL Combine. “Purdue was actually my first scholarship offer. I went back and forth with my family. I ended up at UConn and had a great career.” A great career it was. It began in 2008 as a freshman seeing Donald Brown rush for more than 2,000 yards. The following year saw Todman rush for more than 1,000 yards, with his counterpart Andre Dixon equaling the same feat. Todman’s junior and final season culminated with a berth in the Fiesta Bowl, the first BCS berth in school history. Todman was the second-leading rusher in the nation with 1,695 yards and 14 touchdowns. Todman finished his tenure at UConn with 3,179 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns, as well as two bowl victories and a BCS bowl birth. Todman did it all at UConn and it is now time for him to realize his dream Thursday night, when he gets that long-awaited call from an NFL team, telling him he has been drafted.
William.Penfield@UConn.edu
John Kennedy, Editor in Chief Russell Blair, Managing Editor Jessica Wengronowitz, Business Manager/Advertising Director Nancy Depathy, Financial Manager Front Desk: Fax: Editor-In-Chief/Commentary: Managing Editor/Photo: News/Sports: Focus/Online:
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On The Front: Jordan Todman rushes down the field during the 2011 Fiesta Bowl. On The Back: Kemba Walker drives to the basket against Marquette. Front and back cover photos by: ASHLEY POSPISIL and JIM ANDERSON/The Daily Campus
Thursday, April 28, 2011 Production Managers: Mac Cerullo, Matt McDonough Copy Editors: Russell Blair, Amy Schellenbaum, Grace Vasington, Brian Zahn
Amy Schellenbaum, Associate Managing Editor Joe Adinolfi, News Editor Brian Zahn, Associate News Editor Taylor Trudon, Commentary Editor Caitlin Mazzola, Focus Editor Melanie Deziel, Associate Focus Editor Mac Cerullo, Sports Editor Matt McDonough, Associate Sports Editor Ashley Pospisil Photo Editor
Jim Anderson, Associate Photo Editor Sarah Parsons, Comics Editor Brendan Fitzpatrick, Assoc. Business Manager Demetri Demopoulos, Marketing Manager Jennifer Lindberg, Graphics Manager Joseph Kopman-Fried, Circulation Manager
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Page 3
Draft Extra
» FOOTBALL ROUNDUP
Unsung heroes hope to get drafted
By Matt McDonough Associate Sports Editor
Three of the UConn football team’s unsung heroes expect to hear their name called during the three-day marathon that is the NFL Draft. Fullback Anthony Sherman scored one career touchdown, on Senior Day against Cincinnati, but his accomplishments and contributions were felt for four years in the Husky program. His blocking ability and versatility as a back earned him an invite to the NFL Combine in March. In Indianapolis, Sherman flourished and, as he did in college, made enough of an impact to get noticed. He is projected by nfldraftscout.com to be selected in the fifth or sixth round. “You take it in and work harder so that it continues to rise,” Sherman said. “I haven’t heard too much, just that I have had good workouts and impressed some people. I’ve heard different rounds, but it doesn’t really mean anything because the guys making those assessments don’t know much about what the teams want to do.” The 242-pound Sherman’s good showing at the Combine included running the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds, with a 2.67-second 20-yard split and a 1.62-second 10-yard scamper. He had 32 repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press. He also participated in the vertical jump, broad jump, 20-yard shuttle and three-cone drill events at the Combine. Sherman had an opportunity to improve his numbers on March 23 at UConn’s Pro Day at the Shenkman indoor facility, but he only engaged in limited activities. “I think I did pretty well,” Sherman said. “I went out and caught the ball. I had one drop. So, all in all, I think I did pretty well.” Sherman did not spend as much time running or working out in the weight room during his last hurrah
ASHLEY POSPISIL/The Daily Campus
UConn offensive lineman Zach Hurd (left) and fullback Anthony Sherman (right) are both projected to be late-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
in Storrs as he did at Indy. “That was on advice from people that I talked to and heard different things from my agent that I did well enough at the Combine, so I didn’t have to do my numbers again,” Sherman said. The practice field at the Shenkman Training Center was still a more welcoming environment for Sherman than Lucas Oil Stadium, a venue filled with scouts from every NFL team and cameras from all the major media outlets. “The Combine was a little more stressful than this,” Sherman said. “Every team there, every coach – it was definitely a little more stressful. But it gave me confidence to know that I could do it
here on Pro Day.” Sherman is rated fourth out of 85 fullbacks. Lawrence Wilson didn’t get to play for his hometown, the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tuscaloosa product instead had a stellar career at UConn. Wilson, who attend Paul W. Bryant High School, spent five years with the Huskies and will be best known for his 55-yard interception return for a touchdown in UConn’s Big East conference, clinching win at South Florida. Wilson made a return trip home for his final college game: the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., where he made six tackles. Wilson led the Big East in tackles this past season, and the pro scouts took notice. He is rated the
12th-best outside linebacker in the draft class and is a projected fourth round pick. Unlike Sherman, Wilson made the most of Pro Day by improving on certain aspects of his game where he had a subpar showing at the NFL Combine. Wilson increased his broad jump by an inch, cut down his three-cone drill time and, more importantly ran a faster 40-yard dash. He ran a 4.71.40 at the Combine, but in Storrs ran the same distance in 4.68 seconds, twice. Zach Hurd is slated to be picked in the fourth or fifth round of the draft. Hurd is as durable as they come, with his 52 career games in a UConn uniform a school record. In his career, Hurd blocked for four 1,000-yard individual rushing
From The Pundits...
yard seasons. Hurd also competed at the Combine, doing most drills except passing on the bench press. The 316-pound offensive lineman saved the bench for Pro Day on campus. He did 25 reps of the 225-pound press in front of scouts from 17 NFL teams. Hurd is rated the eighth-best offensive guard in the draft and is expected to spend some time at the tackle position at the next level as well. With the NFL lockout going on, this Husky trio is still waiting to see if they’ll be playing professional football next season. But first, all three are patiently hoping for their name to be called in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Matthew.McDonough@UConn.edu
“Lawrence Wilson is another Gene Smith player. He was a team captain and a 4-year starter at Connecticut. ”
— Walter Football.com
“What he lacks in size, Jordan Todman can surely make up with confidence.” — Hartford Courant ASHLEY POSPISIL/The Daily Campus
ASHLEY POSPISIL/The Daily Campus
Lawrence Wilson.
Jordan Todman.
Page 4
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Draft Extra
Lutrus not expected to be taken high
ASHLEY POSPISIL/The Daily Campus
UConn linebacker Scott Lutrus helps make a tackle during the 2011 Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1. Lutrus, a four-year starter, is projected to be a late-round pick in the NFL Draft.
By John Shevchuk Staff Writer Despite tremendous performances in the NFL combine, Scott Lutrus is not expected to go in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. Of the numerous mock drafts in the media, Lutrus’ draft position ranges from the fourth round all the way to being undrafteed. In the combine, Lutrus performed extremely well. Lutrus was among the top performing
linebackers for the broad jump, threecone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and 60-yard shuttle. Lutrus had the highest vertical jump of any linebacker, at 38 inches. NFL.com says Lutrus could “turn into a starter down the line if he can become a more productive player on third down, both in coverage and rushing the passer.” In the analysis of his strengths and weaknesses the website, range and athleticism in covering tight ends are listed as his strengths. In the weaknesses category he is listed as struggling to disengage from
blockers, few moves or action hands, and not fluid enough to cover running backs in man coverage. The two-year captain struggled with a neck injury during the 2009 season. In the opening game of that year Lutrus injured his neck, which affected his entire season. That year he ended up playing six games and recording 69 tackles. His health was an issue once again in the 2010 season. Lutrus missed three games and recorded 59 tackles in the remaining games, the fourth-most on the team.
Lutrus’ strength has not impressed scouts. At the combine Lutrus did not participate in the bench press. Fellow teammate and linebacker Greg Lloyd put up 22 reps of 225 pounds at the combine. On pro-day last month Lutrus decided to lift in front of the scout audience and got 18 reps. Teammate and linebacker Lawrence Wilson had 24 reps, the seventh-most of linebackers. Fftoolbox.com said, “His strengths are not measurable and that allowed some other linebackers to move up and pass him on many draft boards.” The site goes on to say however, that the more they watch his film, the more they like him. On Sunday Lutrus had an interview with the National Football Post. After being asked what he would bring to the table, he told the reporter, “Just a hard-nosed football player, a player with a lot of passion who plays with high motor and covers a lot of ground.” He went on to tell the reporter his is willing to play any linebacker position and even special teams. The interview followed a meeting between Lutrus and the Minnesota Vikings. Lutrus met with front office workers and coaches and was happy about the encounter. All and all, it looks like Lutrus’ injury history and lack of strength measurements will be obstacles, possibly pushing his selection pick to the later rounds. Lutrus has the athleticism and speed to keep up with most tight ends and some wide receivers, a strong advantage at the linebacker position. Lutrus has been spending most of his time working out in Miami. As to how he expects the draft to go, he said, “I am going to just sit back and see what happens, and I will be very excited to make a camp.”
John.Shevchuk@UConn.edu
» BASEBALL
ASHLEY POSPISIL/The Daily Campus
ED RYAN/The Daily Campus
Center fielder George Springer connects for a home run against CCSU on June 5, 2010.
UConn starter Matt Barnes delivers a pitch during UConn’s game against Georgetown on April 21. The Huskies swept the series.
By Danielle Ennis Staff Writer
how they should play: starting to play with some stagger, confidence and trust.” Things didn’t pick up for the Huskies until they entered conference play, but now midway through the season they lead the Big East with sweeps over St. Johns, Villanova and Georgetown. Springer is currently on an 18-game hit steak. In the series against Georgetown over the weekend, Springer recorded 4 RBI. He also recorded his 40th career home run. “Focused on one pitch, one out. The minute I think about June or the draft is when I don’t help the team. I don’t believe in that. I have to block
Springer helps build program, MLB stock
George Springer has been playing baseball in Connecticut since a kid. A New Britain native, Springer had a decorated career at Avon Old Farms before continuing onto UConn. He has been standout since the start. In 2008 he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins. When asked how close he was to signing with the team, Springer said “Close, but not close. I had to grow as a player and a person.” Last summer, he played for the USA collegiate national team,
representing the country alongside teammate Matt Barnes. The 6’3” outfielder is a projected first-rounder that could go in the top 15 picks in June. Baseball America puts Springer as an impressive No. 10 in the midseason top 50. They write that the “best college athlete available is regaining momentum after a slow start.” That is exactly what Springer and the team is doing. “We weren’t getting it done, but we are now,” Springer said. “We started off slow, weren’t getting the big hit, weren’t making the pitch.” “But now we leave it all on the field. Games have been
it out. Whatever happens in June, happens in June.” Springer has been constantly improving. He attributes this progress to hard work. “I work hard every day,” Springer said. “I assume that there’s someone out there doing one extra rep, taking one extra swing, lifting five extra pounds. That’s something I’ve taken into effect over the last three years. You got to play as it should be. Play hard.” His presence and contribution to the team is apparent in his statistics. He is the all-time UConn leader in runs scored, with 194. He has started in 154 of 156 games and has 166 RBI in his career.
He was named 2011 Big East Preseason Player of the Year, 2011 ESPN AllAmerican and 2011 Louisville Slugger Preseason first team All-American, among other notable rankings. As draft talk circles and June nears, the junior doesn’t get caught up in his future, nor in the legacy he will leave behind. “In my eyes, I wanted to help build a program. That’s the same with 35 guys that are here now and that have been through here in the past three to five years. I wanted to help put my home state on the map. That is something special.”
Danielle.Ennis@UConn.edu
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Page 5
Draft Extra
» BASEBALL
Matt Barnes close to realizing dream By Dan Agabiti Senior Staff Writer UConn junior pitcher Matt Barnes grew up in Bethel, Conn., where he has been playing baseball and cheering on the Yankees for almost his entire life. “I’ve dreamed about playing in the bigs ever since I was a little kid,” Barnes said. For the 6-foot-4 right hander with incredible fastball command and velocity, his dreams might be coming true. Projections for this year’s MLB draft all place Barnes in the top-15, and bleacherreport.com thinks he could be taken in the top-five. But even with the excitement and hype about his pro potential, Barnes is trying to just do what he does best, play baseball. “I’m just working hard and taking it day by day,” Barnes said. “I just want to go out and throw my stuff like I know I can.” Barnes really started to turn heads this summer during his time spent in the Cape Cod Baseball
League and Team USA’s collegiate group. On the Cape, Barnes pitched 20.2 innings. In that span, he struck out 20 batters. In one outing, Barnes recorded back-to-back strikeouts against potential top-five prospects Anthony Rendon of Rice and Jackie Bradley Jr. of South Carolina. According to prodraftcentral.com, Barnes didn’t just strike them out, he made them look silly. After playing on the Cape, Barnes went to play for Team USA’s collegiate group, where he cemented himself as one of the top college pitchers in the nation. For Barnes, playing on Team USA was an awesome experience. He is glad he got to visit other countries, learn about their culture and see their appreciation for the game of baseball. But more than that, he was able to greatly improve as a baseball player “It was a great opportunity for me to not just mature as a person, but as a pitcher,” Barnes said. “I really got to learn from the best. I was with some of the top guys in
the country and it was awesome to be able to play with them and pick their brains to figure out how to get better.” Barnes went 3-0 with Team USA. In his 18 innings pitched, his ERA was an amazing 1.42, and he struck out 26 while giving up just up nine hits. Numbers like that are impressive against regular collegiate competition, but when those stats come against international competition, they become eye-popping. In his 10 starts this season, Barnes continues to impress scouts. He is 8-2 on the season with 69 strikeouts and has allowed only eight earned runs in 78 innings of work. What’s even more impressive is that his two losses came in his first two starts of the season against Minnesota and Indiana – and he still totaled 20 strikeouts in those games. In his last eight outings, Barnes is a perfect 8-0 and has allowed only three runs in his 65 innings pitched, making his ERA a jawdropping 0.42.
Right now Barnes throws three pitches during games; a fastball, a curveball and a slider. Without a doubt, his fastball is his “go-to” pitch. He routinely locates it where he wants and keeps the batter guessing by throwing it all over the strike zone. Barnes’s curveball has gotten a lot better in the past year, and he is glad to see his hard work start to pay off. “It’s a lot more reliable now than it has been in the past,” Barnes said. “Now I can throw it in different counts and put it in different spots. Aside from my fastball, it’s my second-best pitch.” What still needs work though; is his slider. Barnes said that right now it’s not as good as it was this summer, but he has been working hard to get the pitch back to a point where he can throw it with confidence every time. Early this season, Barnes gave a glimpse of what he can do when his three pitches are working. Before his start against a talented St. John’s team, one UConn player told head coach Jim Penders
that Barnes had his slider working. Right away, Penders knew the start would be special. And special it was. Barnes went 8.2 innings, giving up just three hits, one earned run and striking out seven. Penders knows that Barnes has incredible potential and is amazed at how much he’s improved over the past few years. “I’d seen him get better every year for the past few years,” Penders said. “But now, he’s at the point where I’m seeing him improve every start. Each time he goes out, I see his fastball command get better, and his other pitches are improving too.” While he doesn’t give as much attention to the draft projections as the media does, that hasn’t stopped Barnes from enjoying the ride. “He’s really been special,” coach Jim Penders said of Barnes. “I’m having a lot fun fun watching him and I’m enjoying him while I can because we won’t have him much longer.”
Daniel.Agabiti@UConn.edu
» NFL
Predicting the first round of the Draft By Andrew Callahan Staff Writer 1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn KEEP AN EYE ON: CB Patrick Peterson, DT Marcell Dareus New head coach Rob Rivera has stated that his most important goal is to find a franchise quarterback, and reports out of Carolina have the Panthers favoring Newton. The Heisman Trophy winner has immense upside but will be a serious project before he can take the field as a complete NFL quarterback. Ultimately, Newton is a special talent who can, if successful, make up for a lot of deficiencies (see 2010 Auburn football season). 2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama KEEP AN EYE ON: DT Nick Fairley, OLB Von Miller Denver couldn’t stop a runny nose last year and have since cleaned out the cupboard of all starting defensive tackles. Arguably the best player in the draft, Dareus is also one of the few universally regarded “blue-chip” players, making Denver’s choice a clear one. 3. Buffalo Bills: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri KEEP AN EYE ON: Miller, Newton Texas A&M pass-rushing demon Von Miller has been a popular pick here, but the Bills have acknowledged that stopping the run is a bigger issue than putting heat on opposing QBs. Also, outside linebackers Shawne Merriman and Chris Kelsay now boast long-term contracts and GM Buddy Nix has stated that this pick is a perfect time
to select a quarterback. Miller makes sense because he is the better player, but I think they go with Gabbert, who could fall far if they don’t. 4. Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green, WR, Georgia KEEP AN EYE ON: Newton, WR Julio Jones 5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M KEEP AN EYE ON: Gabbert, Green 6. Cleveland Browns: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU KEEP AN EYE ON: Jones, DE Robert Quinn 7. San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina KEEP AN EYE ON: Trade, CB Prince Amukamara 8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn KEEP AN EYE ON: DE Da’Quan Bowers, QB Andy Dalton 9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT, USC KEEP AN EYE ON: Trade, OT Anthony Castonzo 10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama KEEP AN EYE ON: Trade, QB Jake Locker The Redskins desperately need and want to trade out of this spot, with only two selections before the 5th round. My hunch is that if they keep this pick, Mike Shanahan grabs Jones and targets Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick later. 11. Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska KEEP AN EYE ON: DE/OLB Aldon Smith, Quinn The Texans’ secondary couldn’t cover a bed with a blanket last year. Amukamara steps in on day one as the starter, with the only other con-
sideration here being a passrushing OLB. 12. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Locker, QB, Washington KEEP AN EYE ON: Bowers, DE Cameron Jordan 13. Detroit Lions: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson KEEP AN EYE ON: CB Jimmy Smith, Castonzo A former consideration for the No. 1 overall pick, Bowers has fallen due to injury concerns about his knee. However, Lions GM Marty Mayhew has said that Detroit doctors have given him a 100 percent healthy report. 14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liguiet, DT, Illinois KEEP AN EYE ON: TE Kyle Rudolph, Jordan 15. Miami Dolphins: Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida KEEP AN EYE ON: RB Mark Ingram, QB Ryan Mallett 16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida St. KEEP AN EYE ON: DE Ryan Kerrigan, Jordan Love might not be strong enough a word in Jacksonville. Over the past year the Jags have been to Ponder’s Pro Day, worked him out privately, hosted him on an in-house visit, interviewed him at the combine and scouted him thoroughly in his last season in Tallahassee. GM Gene Smith isn’t afraid to stick to his guns and he does so here. 17. New England Patriots: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama KEEP AN EYE ON: Pouncey, DE Muhammed Wilkerson We’ll keep it short. Correctly predicting the Patriots’ moves on draft day is like simultaneously picking the winning lottery ticket and getting struck by lightning. So, who knows.
18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Jordan, DE, California KEEP AN EYE ON: A. Smith, Watt 19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College KEEP AN EYE ON: OLB Akeem Ayers, OT Derek Sherrod The top left tackle in this year’s class should not fall outside of the top fifteen, but with so many teams reaching for needy positions, the four-year starter falls right into Tom Coughlin’s lap. Castanzo doesn’t have the ceiling of Tyron Smith but is as sure a pick as you’ll find in this draft. 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri KEEP AN EYE ON: DE/ OLB Ryan Kerrigan, DE Adrian Clayborn 21. Kansas City Chiefs: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin KEEP AN EYE ON: NT Stephen Paea, Pouncey 22. Indianapolis Colts: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State KEEP AN EYE ON: OT Nate Solder, Liuget 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado KEEP AN EYE ON: OG Danny Watkins, Ayers The best press corner available, Smith has picked up some steam leading into tonight after seeing his stock fall earlier due to character issues. Multiple teams have cleared him of these counts after interviews and the Eagles now scoop up the 6-foot-2 cover man to stand in opposite Asante Samuel. 24. New Orleans Saints: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa KEEP AN EYE ON: Ingram, Wilkerson 25. TRADE: Tennessee
Titans: Andy Dalton, QB, TCU The Seahawks have done everything but pass out fliers to indicate their strong preference to trade this pick. Currently the Titans’ coaching staff is split on whether to pick Nick Fairley or Andy Dalton at No. 8. So, to avoid the risk of losing Dalton before their 2nd round pick, they pick up the phone to tell Seattle they’ve got a deal. 26. Baltimore Ravens: Muhammed Wilkerson, DT/ DE, Temple KEEP AN EYE ON:J. Smith, WR Torrey Smith 27. Atlanta Falcons: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin KEEP AN EYE ON: Clayborn, Ayers 28. New England Patriots: Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona KEEP AN EYE ON: Trade, Cameron Heyward 29. Chicago Bears: Drake Nevis, DT, LSU KEEP AN EYE ON: DT Marvin Austin, OT Marcus Cannon 30. New York Jets: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor KEEP AN EYE ON: DE/OLB Jabaal Sheard, Ayers With Kris Jenkins out of the picture, the Jets fill one of their top needs with one of the biggest men in the draft. The other possibility appears to be an outside pass-rusher, as there aren’t any safeties who merit first-round consideration. 31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas KEEP AN EYE ON: CB Brandon Harris, Sherrod 32. Green Bay Packers: Danny Watkins, G, Baylor KEEP AN EYE ON: Heyward, Reed
Andrew.J.Callahan@UConn.edu
Page 6
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Draft Extra
Moore will be sorely missed
ASHLEY POSPISIL/The Daily Campus
Maya Moore goes up for a layup during UConn’s second round NCAA tournament game against Purdue on March 22. The Huskies won 64-40 and advanced to the Sweet 16.
AP
Connecticut’s Maya Moore, left, and Xavier’s Amber Harris, right, hold up a Minnesota Lynx jersey after being picked by the team on April 11.
By Colin McDonough Senior Staff Writer Maya Moore didn’t go out on top. The goal was for her to finish her final season as No. 1, but Moore’s brilliant career didn’t end with a third straight national championship. During a season where the UConn women’s basketball team lost just two games and held a record-breaking, 90-game winning streak in late December, it seemed that the Huskies were destined to win it all again. Moore didn’t do what Diana Taurasi did: win national titles her last three years at UConn. The women’s basketball star fell short in the Final Four against Notre Dame. She scored 36 points, but the
Huskies lost 72-63 in the national semifinal against the Fighting Irish. Moore’s accomplishments go on forever. She won two national titles, made four Final Fours, was named an All-American four times and brought home the Wade Trophy three times. The 3,000-point scorer leads the Big East in all-time scoring. Yet even with all the accolades and memories she left with the Husky faithful, Moore said in Indianapolis that her final game as a Husky left a bad taste in her mouth. “I’m going to have to choose to remember the great thing and how fortunate I was to be a part of so many record-breaking seasons,” Moore said after the loss. “It’s just tough because it’s the current taste in my mouth now. I’ll just have to deal with it.” Coach Geno Auriemma said
that he wouldn’t dwell on what happened in Moore’s last NCAA tournament game, but look at what she did as a whole. “I’m going to think more about the best player in the history of the Big East and maybe the best student-athlete in the history of college basketball,” Auriemma said. “I’m not going to let her be defined by what happened tonight.” During her senior season Moore dealt with the graduation losses of Tina Charles and Kalana Greene, but helped to mold freshmen Bria Hartley and Stefanie Dolson into stars and leaders alongside her. For the first time in three years UConn had question marks heading into the season. But Moore made sure her senior season was still special. The young team, led
ASHLEY POSPISIL/The Daily Campus
Maya Moore goes up for a jump shot during UConn’s national semifinal game against Notre Dame. Despite Moore’s best efforts, the Huskies lost to the Irish 72-63.
by Moore, finished with a 36-2 overall record and finished ranked No. 3 in the final poll. Moore received the Lowe’s Senior Class Award, the Elite 88 Award and the Honda Sports Award. The individualized major will graduate in May while her No. 23 jersey will hang forever on the wall of Gampel Pavilion. Moore’s college career is over, but of course she is going on to play at the next level. Like her former teammate Charles, Moore was the easy choice for the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft. On April 12 the Minnesota Lynx took Moore with the first overall pick at the ESPN studios in Bristol. “It feels really great to finally be able to have the moment of being drafted No. 1,” Moore told the AP at ESPN. “All the hype and
excitement around it.” Moore will now play on a Lynx team that finished second-to-last, with a 13-21 record. It’ll be different for the ultimate winner, who only lost four games during her four seasons at UConn. She hopes to bring her winning ways to Minnesota. “Every year the goal is a championship,” Moore told the AP. “That’s what I expect. I go on to every team expecting to win a championship, especially with the amount of talent we have. I don’t want to limit to the playoffs, I want to win a championship.” Although one of the best players in sports history didn’t finish her collegiate career as a champion, Moore begins the next stage of her career as No. 1.
Colin.McDonough@UConn.edu
A Maya Moore Timeline Freshman Season:
Junior Season:
Sophomore Season:
Senior Season:
- First Team All-American as a freshman. - Became first freshman recipient of the Big East Player of the Year award. - Won National Player of the Year honors. - Helped lead UConn to a perfect 39-0 record.
- Shared National Player of the Year honors with teammate Tina Charles. - Led UConn to its second consecutive 39-0 record and national championship. - Becomes the first ever four-time First Team All-American. - Graduates UConn as the school’s all-time leading scorer.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Page 7
Draft Extra
Walker expected to be lottery pick
ED RYAN/The Daily Campus
Kemba Walker drives to the basket during the Big East championship final against Louisville on Feb. 12.
By Mac Cerullo Sports Editor As Kemba Walker leaves UConn, he leaves with no questions left unanswered. He just completed the finest single season in UConn basketball history, capped it off with a national championship and was named a “Husky of Honor” at the post-championship pep rally. Just as impressively, he will graduate in three years despite the time demands that come with college basketball. That’s why nobody was surprised when, on April 12, Walker made his intention to enter the NBA Draft known. “I just think it’s the right time for me to go to the NBA,” Walker said. “I think Coach [Calhoun] did a great job of preparing me to play on that level.” But looking ahead to June 23, when the NBA Draft is scheduled to take place, the only thing that is certain is that somebody will draft Walker. But when, where and by whom is much tougher to predict, however, and depending on who you ask, the projections vary widely. ESPN’s Chad Ford has Walker going at No. 5 overall to the Sacramento Kings. NBADraft.net has Walker going as low as No. 14 to the Houston Rockets. Some drafts have Walker going as high as No. 4, but there doesn’t seem to be any consensus other than that Walker will be a lottery pick. But there’s plenty of consensus about what kind of player Walker will be, and what his strengths and weaknesses are. Nearly universally, Walker is praised for his quickness, explosiveness, character and ability to make big plays. “A point guard with amazing speed,” wrote Jonathan Wasserman on NBADraft.net in
2010. “His quickness and ability to change direction make him the player he is.” Kevin Duffy, who was the Daily Campus Sports Editor in 2008-09 and covered the men’s basketball team during Walker’s freshman year, wrote a similar appraisal of Walker during that year for NBADraft.net. “Superb end-to-end speed and quickness, can ignite a fastbreak completely on his own,” Duffy said. “A terrific rebounder for his size, Walker often out leaps big men for boards and takes the ball coast-to-coast.” Naturally, anybody who has watched UConn basketball over the past three years could have told you that Walker is fast. That much is pretty obvious. But perhaps Walker’s biggest area of improvement has been his shooting touch, and the effect that that improvement has had on his allaround game can’t be overstated. When reached recently, Duffy, who now works for the Danbury News-Times, offered a reappraisal of his comments from two years ago. “As a freshman, it was clear that Kemba had a bright future, but I don’t think anyone knew it was this bright,” Duffy said. “Dick Vitale said Kemba improved from one year to the next more than any player he’s seen in his years of working for ESPN. He really became a consistent jumpshooter, and that forced teams to guard him tight…All biases aside, anyone who thinks Kemba is outside of the top 10 in this draft is nuts. He’s an NBA ready player who should step in put up 15 points per game (maybe a little more or less depending on what team picks him) from day one.” The biggest knock against Walker has remained the same from day one: his size. Walker is
JIM ANDERSON/The Daily Campus
Kemba Walker takes a shot during the national championship game against Butler on April 4.
AP
Kemba Walker announces his intentions to enter the NBA Draft during a press conference on April 12.
listed as 6-foot-1, 172 pounds. Realistically, he is probably closer to 5-foot-11, and there is concern that Walker’s size could be a detriment at the next level. Obviously, Walker’s size never became an issue in college. He was consistently able to get to the rim past some of the best big men in the country, and very rarely did he get his shot blocked. Still, there is a legitimate concern that in the NBA, where all the players are much bigger and faster, Walker could get pushed around. Only time will tell if these critics have a point or if it’s just empty speculation. As far as the draft itself, Walker is in a good position considering that many other highly regarded players, such as Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger, decided to remain at school. Most people expect either Duke’s Kyrie Irving, the nation’s top point guard prospect,
or Arizona’s Derrick Williams, the nation’s top power forward, to be taken No. 1 overall. After them, Kentucky center Enes Kanter, who sat for the year after being ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA, is expected to go No. 3. But beyond that, things start getting murky. Walker will be competing with Kentucky freshmen Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones, along with players like Donatas Motiejunas, a 7-footer from Lithuania, Jan Vesely, an athletic power forward from the Czech Republic and some more familiar faces like BYU’s Jimmer Fredette, the Morris twins from Kansas and Alec Burks, a tall point guard from Colorado. Each NBA team will be looking for something different on draft day and it’ll be interesting to see how things turn out. With two months
of workouts, interviews and speculation left before the draft itself, all we have to go by with Walker is his three outstanding years in Storrs and his resume that reads unlike any other player in the country. Walker is UConn’s all-time career leader in free throws made, with 501. He is No. 7 on the school’s all-time scoring list, with 1,783 career points. He holds the single-season record for points scored in a season (965), field goals made (316), field goals attempted (739), free throws made (259), free throws attempted (315), minutes played (1,543) and minutes per game (37.7). Most important of all, Walker carried his team to a national championship and went out on top, something that no other player in the country, or the world, can say.
Michael.Cerullo@UConn.edu
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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Draft Extra
2011 NBA DRAFT
JUNE 23 – 8 P.M., ESPN PRUDENTIAL CENTER, NEWARK, N.J.
Walker expected to be a lottery pick Page 7
Moore will be missed Page 6