• SNY.tv’s UConn homepage

SNY, the television home of the New York Mets, Jets and Big East Conference, in conjunction with The University of Connecticut today announced a comprehensive, multi-year partnership that makes SNY “the official television home of the UConn Huskies football and men’s basketball programs”.

Beginning this September, SNY will annually feature 300 hours of UConn programming — including 120 hours of Huskies game coverage — with unprecedented access to UConn coaches and players. Additionally, SNY will significantly expand its UConn sports coverage throughout its sports news and entertainment programming, including its critically acclaimed SportsNite show — which airs Monday-Sunday at 10pm, 1am and throughout the morning. SNY will also create a UConn Huskies sports section on the network’s website — http://www.SNY.tv — which will feature original content, including video and a dedicated UConn Huskies blog.

As the exclusive TV home of UConn football, SNY is planning to air approximately five live games in 2010 — which will be wrapped by in-depth post-game shows — produced by SNY. In addition to the network’s live game coverage, SNY will carry the following UConn Huskies football programming:

• Comprehensive UConn Huskies Football Season Preview Show

• Randy Edsall’s Weekly Press Conference

• In-Depth Post-Game Shows [Following all SNY-televised UConn football games]

• UConn Huskies Season-in-Review/Bowl Preview Special

• UConn’s “Football Signing Day” Press Conference

• Re-airs of every UConn Huskies Football Game [subject to availability]

• Huskies Power Hour: A 60-minute cut-down version of that week’s game.

•SNY Spotlight with Head Coach Randy Edsall. SNY Spotlight is an exclusive signature series — created by SNY’s Original Entertainment Division — that features in-depth interviews with New York’s most influential leaders in sports and entertainment

When the college basketball season tips off, SNY’s all-access pass will feature at least 13 UConn Men’s basketball contests and a minimum of one Women’s basketball contest each season. In addition to the network’s live basketball games — and SNY’s expanded coverage throughout its sports news and entertainment programming — UConn fans will also receive the following SNY programming dedicated to the UConn basketball program:

• Comprehensive UConn Huskies Men’s basketball Season Preview Show

• In-Depth Pre-Game Shows Prior to Select SNY-Televised UConn Basketball Games

• UConn Huskies Season-in-Review Special

• Re-airs of Every UConn Huskies basketball Game Shown on SNY

• SNY Spotlight with Men’s Head Basketball Coach Jim Calhoun and Women’s Head Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma

“We’re excited to have this landmark partnership with the University of Connecticut, one of the preeminent schools in the Big East Conference and in the nation,” said Steve Raab, President of SNY. “SNY will provide UConn fans with an unprecedented level of in-depth coverage and original programming dedicated to the Huskies.”

“This comprehensive partnership with SNY will provide the University with a historic level of coverage dedicated to our athletics program, our coaches and student athletes,” said Jeff Hathaway, Director of Athletics for UConn. “Beyond the games, UConn fans will be able to enjoy many hours of additional and original programming produced by SNY about the Huskies. We’re excited that the official TV home of the Big East Conference is now the home of UConn football and Men’s basketball.”

On-air talent and additional programming details regarding SNY’s UConn football and basketball coverage will be announced at a later date.

In addition, Comcast plans to expand SNY carriage for its customers throughout the Nutmeg State, launching it before the first UConn football game in areas of the state serviced by Comcast where SNY hasn’t before been available, including the Middletown, Clinton, Groton, Norwich, Old Lyme and Vernon areas.

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The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Allen is considering Siena, Oregon, Boston College and Providence.

“I’m signing in April,” Allen said Sunday by phone, referring to the NCAA late signing period.

Allen initially committed to West Virginia but lost his scholarship opportunity when Joe Mazzulla was granted a medical redshirt. Mazzulla will be back with the Mountaineers in 2010-11.

Allen spent two years at Oak Hill (Va.) Academy but is spending his senior season playing for Jere Quinn at St. Thomas More in Oakdale, Conn. Allen said he chose St. Thomas More because the New England schools play in a league with a shot clock.

“Getting ready for college the prep school league plays with a shot clock so I can be aware of the shot clock,” he said.

Allen visited Siena earlier this week and enjoyed it. Siena loses point guard Ronald Moore next season and Allen could be his replacement.

“It was a pretty good visit, nice campus and everything,” he said.

“They told me if I go up there I would be running the point. They need a point guard to replace Ronald Moore. They want to keep their conference championships up and their tradition alive.”

Allen also plans to visit Providence, Oregon and Boston College before the signing period.

“I’m still open. I’m taking more more visits to Oregon, Boston College and Providence,” he said. “I don’t have any dates set up yet.”

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.

Tommy Dee, at TheKnicksBlog.com, talks about a potential Knicks-Nets trade.

At ZagsBlog.net, Adam Zagoria has news on the St. Johns coaching staff.

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At MetsBlog.com, Matthew Cerrone talks about Jerry Manuel’s ability to use the media, not fight them.

Toby Hyde, at MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com, details the three Brooklyn Cyclone pitchers who were named All Stars.

At GiantsFootballBlog.com, Anthony De Rosa has Giants Training Camp coverage.

Lastly, at WasWatching.com, Steve Lombardi wonders if Joba Chamberlain should be shut down for the season.

At WasWatching, Steve Lombardi says that Carl Pavano and Phil Hughes will make rehab starts for the Charlestown RiverDogs.

Tommy Dee of TheKnicksBlog grades the Renaldo Balkman trade, while Adam Zagoria at ZagsBlog has full coverage of the Big East media day.

Brian Basset at TheJetsBlog has a look at the what the Jets have done on defense, while Anthony De Rosa at Giants Football Blog has Giants Training Camp coverage.

Toby Hyde at Mets Minor League Blog gives an update on Fernando Martinez, who is ‘coming along’ after his latest injury.

Lastly, at SNY.tv, Ted Berg says, although he looks just like Tom Morello, Raul Ibanez isn’t nearly as ‘awesome.’

Watch today’s episode of The Nooner over at TheNoonerBlog.com.

At Was Watching Steve Lombardi says to credit Joe Girardi for Mike Mussina’s resurgence.

Tommy Dee at TheKnicksBlog says that Kobe Bryant is a fan of Mike D’Antoni.

Brian Basset at TheJetsBlog has full coverage as Training Camp starts today.

Matt Cerrone at MetsBlog has a report on the trade market for relief pitchers.

Toby Hyde at Mets Minor League Blog recaps all of yesterday’s Mets minor league action.

Anthony De Rosa at GiantsFootballBlog has Giants Training Camp coverage.

At SNY.tv, Keith Hernandez takes viewer questions.

Also at SNY.tv, Joey Wahler catches up with Baseball Hall of Fame hopeful Steve Garvey.

Beginning this September, SNY will feature more than 800 hours of Big East programming, including a minimum of 16 football games per season and the Saturday afternoon “Game of the Week.” The network will also air an ensemble of weekly Big East football coaches’ shows. SNY is now the exclusive TV home of Rutgers football, which includes a weekly sit-down interview with head coach Greg Schiano, his Monday morning press conferences and “Inside Rutgers Football with Greg Schiano.”

“This is huge for the Big East Conference to have this presence in New York City,” Schiano said.

Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese said the Big East still has a national football package with ESPN and that some Rutgers games — including the Sept. 1 season opener at home against Fresno State — will appear on The Worldwide Leader. The league also has a “small deal” with MSG, which includes 14 or 15 basketball games. Here’s the composite Big East football schedule.

“The New York metropolitan area has always been so important to the Big East,” Tranghese said. “It’s great to have our fans know that SNY is the place for Big East football and men’s and women’s basketball.”

SNY will become the main home for Big East basketball, airing more than 100 games each year. The package includes the men’s and women’s “Game of the Week”, weekly coaches’ shows from Seton Hall, St. John’s, Rutgers and other schools and in-depth pre-, halftime and post-game shows.

“We’ve created it and and we see it as a great opportunity,” said Steve Raab, President of SNY.

At WasWatching.com, Steve Lombardi looks at the Yankees last 10 games.

Tommy Dee, at theKnicksBlog.com, wonders if Stromile Swift would fit in with the Knicks.

Toby Hyde recaps last night’s action for the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs, at Mets Minor League Blog.

Lastly, at SNY.tv, Brendan Kuty looks at the Mets top three draft picks for 2008.