After yesterday's official realization that the UConn men's basketball team is almost certainly not going to next year's NCAA tournament, Thursday was a very good day for UConn sports.

It was announced that UConn has accepted an invitation to play in Hockey East in men's hockey, begining in 2014-15. Great news for that program. It's stunning that a state that's produced such great hockey over the years hasn't had a fully-funded program at its state university. Now, it does. Even Title IX couldn't stand in its way.

Meanwhile, former UConn baseball players Mike Olt (Rangers) and Matt Barnes (Red Sox) have been invited to play in the Futures Game during All-Star week in Kansas City. Very impressive.