The world said goodbye to a great man and UConn legend on Sunday with the passing of former coach and longtime Huskies ambassador, Dee Rowe. His impact on UConn athletics has been immense, having played a pivotal role in the university receiving its invitation to be a founding member of the original Big East, the hirings of both Geno Auriemma and Jim Calhoun, raising funds to build Gampel Pavilion, and so many other momentous moments in UConn sports history.

To honor Coach Rowe’s legacy at UConn, we’ve dedicated this edition of The Fast Break in his memory. We are grateful for all that he did to help the Huskies become the first-class athletics program they are today and send our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

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Weekly Rewind

The latest UConn athletics news

• UConn men’s basketball cracks AP poll for first time since 2016 after Tyler Polley leads team to comeback victory over Marquette and propels Bouk-less Huskies past Butler
• Positive COVID result within Baylor women’s basketball disrupts highly-anticipated matchup with UConn before Geno’s Huskies pummel Providence, improve to 7-0
• UConn men’s hockey pauses activities after positive COVID test, adding even more drama to team’s rollercoaster season
• Three UConn women’s basketball stars on midseason Wooden Award watch list while James Bouknight has stiff competition after making top 25 on men’s side
• NY Times takes heat for declaring UConn football national champions
• Javonte Brown to leave UConn men’s basketball, enter transfer portal
• College baseball preseason poll has UConn #45 in country, #1 in Big East
• UConn football kicker of the future Joe McFadden has big plans for time in Storrs

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U Gotta See This

Video highlights

• Paige is as good as advertised, if not better:

• A healthy Polley is essential to Hurley’s Huskies fulfilling their potential:

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Coach’s Corner

Find out what UConn coaches are up to on and off the court

• UConn Nation’s social media presence earns high praise from Coach Hurley:

• Longtime UConn women’s basketball assistant Chris Dailey reflects on Geno Auriemma-Pat Summitt rivalry as Geno prepares to pass Pat’s career wins total
• Recently-retired UConn field hockey coach Nancy Stevens wins Pat Summitt Award
• Geno has plenty of good things to say about star pupil Paige Bueckers, but she’d rather hear more about his hair:

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Big League Buzz

Catch up on former UConn players working across the sports world

• Injury-free Kemba Walker returns to Celtics practice
• Renee Montgomery becomes co-owner of Fan Controlled Football team alongside NFL great Marshawn Lynch
• Free-agent George Springer looking for $175 million from MLB suitors
• Sue Bird dishes on eating routines, how to make a bomb breakfast

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In Memoriam:

Celebrating the life of a beloved Husky gone too soon

As mentioned previously, Dee Rowe’s dedicated service has been instrumental to UConn achieving continued success in athletics over the last 50+ years and growing into the nationally-recognized powerhouse it is today. Here’s what some of Dee’s UConn coaching colleagues had to say about him and the impassioned life he lived:

• It’s a shame Dee won’t get to see where Hurley takes the Huskies:

• From one legend to another:

• After over 30 years together, Geno and Coach Rowe had become family:

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Weekly Watchlist

Find out when and how to watch the Huskies in action this week

UConn Men’s Basketball:

- Monday, Jan. 11 @ DePaul; 6 p.m. on FS1 (TV) / UConn Sports Network (Radio)

*The team’s Friday, Jan. 15 matchup with Villanova has been postponed due to a COVID-19 case within the Wildcats program

UConn Women’s Basketball:

- Wednesday, Jan. 13 v. Seton Hall; 4:30 p.m. on SNY (TV) / 97.9 ESPN (Radio)

- Saturday, Jan. 16 v. Villanova; 1 p.m. on SNY (TV) / 97.9 ESPN (Radio)

UConn Men’s Ice Hockey:

- Friday, Jan. 15 v. UNH; 6 p.m.

- Saturday, Jan. 16 @ UNH; TBA

UConn Women’s Ice Hockey:

- Friday, Jan. 15 @ UNH; TBA

- Saturday, Jan. 16 v. UNH; TBA

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Final Play

A parting sentiment from The Fast Break team

Thanks for the memories, Coach:

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