Huskies Back Pat

Here's a look at the "We Back Pat" t-shirts UConn is wearing today during pregame warm-ups. On the front it says "I Bleed Blue and White, but I Wear Purple to Back Pat," and on the back it reads, "I Back Pat." It's all to show support for Tennessee women's coach Pat Summitt, who went public with her diagnosis of early onset dementia, Alzheimer's this summer at the age of 59.

In fact, this was "We Back Pat" week in the SEC. During all 17 women's and 12 men's basketball games since Jan. 15, the home teams made various efforts to increase awareness of trhe Pat Summitt Foundation Fund.

*** Prior to heading over to Thompson-Boling Arena, had a nice lunch down the road with Dom Amore and Ed Daigneault. Name of the joint? Calhoun's. How ironic.

Jim Calhoun will not be a happy man if UConn loses today to Tennessee. The Vols have some talent, but they are 8-10 overall, 1-3 in the SEC, and have lost three in a row. They've beaten Florida at home and lost to Kentucky by three, and gotten a nice bump from recent addition Jarnell Stokes. But still.

Impressive young man, this Stokes: graduated from Southwind High in December and received final eligibility clearance to play at Tennessee about 10 days ago. Was a high school honors student and a chess enthusiast who has won multiple junior tournaments. Just turned 18 two weeks ago. He's 6-8, 250 wears a size 20 shoe (Shaq wore size 22, Wilt and Yao both wor 18), and averaging 10 points and six boards in his first two games.

Anyway, a loss today, with eight days before UConn's next game, would leave a bad taste in Calhoun's mouth.

*** A bunch of UConn donors will be making the trip to today's game, flying out of Hartford in the morning and returning by evening. Their charter plane has already logged plenty of miles.

Last night, with the UConn women's team's flights to Chicago cancelled, the donor plane was summoned to fly the Huskies to the Midwest. Due to weather, Indianapolis was as far as they could go, so they were dropped off there and bussed 2 1/2 hours to Chicago.