The UConn Fast Break - 3/26/2022
Women's hoops in the NCAA tourney. Football Pro Day. Baseball thriving. And more!
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HEADLINE
NFL draftniks, and possibly GMs, are noticing UConn DT Travis Jones
It would be hard to believe that UConn football has had pretty good draft success despite its relatively short and undistinguished FBS history.
There was once a time when it looked like UConn would be a consistent producer of NFL players — from 2005 to 2015, the program averaged 2.5 draft picks per year. That pace has slowed down over the last seven years, where only three Huskies have been selected.
Defensive tackle Travis Jones, who hails from New Haven and spent three seasons being the focal point of UConn’s interior defense, should be the next Husky to hear his name called on draft day. In the pre-draft process and NFL Combine, he’s improved his stock to the point of being in the first-round conversation. Jones would be the first Wilbur Cross football player to be drafted and the first from any New Haven high school since 2010, according to Hearst’s Mike Anthony.
Safety Omar Fortt, tackle Ryan Vandemark, running back Kevin Mensah, and tight end Jay Rose were among the notable names working out at UConn’s recent Pro Day. Former Husky Keyion Dixon, who finished his career at EKU, also participated. He broke his leg at his pro day last year and is giving the draft another go this year.
Weekly Rewind
Women’s Basketball
Sweet 16 bound - No. 7 UCF challenged them, and this game was far from pretty, but the Huskies prevailed. They take on Indiana today at 2 p.m.
“We got the dub” - In an ugly, defensive contest, the Huskies grinded through for the win.
Rotation still needs work - Despite being in the postseason, Geno’s rotation is still not settled.
Men’s Hockey
Two sign entry-level contracts - Jachym Kondelik and Vladistov Firstov signed entry-level deals with Nashville and Minnesota, respectively, for next season.
Men’s Basketball
Tyrese Martin to enter NBA Draft - The do-it-all guard will not take his bonus year of eligibility.
Basketball Blues - The latest episode of The UConn Pod focused on the offseason questions for Dan Hurley’s squad and the unfortunate ending to the season.
What went wrong? - Patrick Martin looks back on the causes for the Huskies’ first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament.
Transfer portal targets - A look at the types of players UConn may add in the transfer market as well as some potential names.
Baseball
Huskies take midweek win - At 15-4 following a 9-1 win over Bryant, UConn is off to its best start since 1971.
UC San Diego prevents sweep - UConn hasn’t lost a series all year.
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Highlights
UConn baseball is out to its best start since the Nixon administration and Erik Stock is one of the big reasons why. He got the scoring started in the first inning of UConn’s midweek win over Bryant with this home run, his second of the year.
Memory Lane
Elliot Ballpark is officially one year old. The replacement for J.O. Christian Field was supposed to debut in a March 29, 2020 matchup against Seton Hall, but that season was canceled weeks earlier as the pandemic hit North America.
Opening Day for the new yard was March 23, 2021, against CCSU.
Pat Gallagher got the start on the mound, throwing five shutout innings and notching nine strikeouts as part of the 2-0 victory. Check out The UConn Blog’s game story and Ian Bethune’s photo gallery from the historic occasion.
UConn, Great Pic
Some of Ian Bethune’s photos from the action in Storrs as the women’s basketball team clinched its 28th consecutive Sweet 16…
…and a couple from UConn baseball’s win over Rhode Island.
Parting Thoughts
Huge thanks to Whaley, Polley, Martin
Isaiah Whaley and Tyler Polley have seen their time at UConn come to an end. The two stuck with the program through very tough times and hopefully have come out better for the experience. They’re certainly leaving UConn men’s hoops in better shape than when they arrived. Both were an absolute joy to watch, especially given their progression over the last five years.
Tyrese Martin still has eligibility left but has decided to take his talents to the pros. The versatile guard did a little bit of everything for the Huskies over the last two years and while he may not be vaulting to NBA superstardom, certainly contributed greatly to UConn’s success and will make good money as a professional.
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