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NEW YORK -- Pleased with the progress made during the New York Islanders first season in Brooklyn, Brett Yormark is looking forward to the teams second year at Barclays Center.I thought we ended the year in a much better place than we started, said Brett Yormark, the Chief Executive Office for Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, which oversees business operations and marketing for the Barclays Center. When you look back at those playoff games they were some of the most dramatic moments weve had here.Pointing to the improvements the arena made with game presentation, including the hiring of a hockey-centric group to take over game days, Yormark said the atmosphere during the Islanders run to the Eastern Conference semifinals -- and their first postseason series victory since 1993 -- showed hockey has arrived in Brooklyn.However, Yormark wouldnt comment on reports the Islanders were already considering leaving for a new arena either near Citi Field, home to baseballs New York Mets, or Belmont Park.I cant speak to that, Yormark said Monday in a Q&A with media before the teams preseason opener against the Philadelphia Flyers. All I can speak to is that collectively our team here at Barclays Center will do everything we can to provide the fans and the players with a first-class experience. And thats what Im focused on.The Islanders moved to the Brooklyn arena -- home to the NBAs Brooklyn Nets since 2012 -- last year after spending the franchises first 43 seasons at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. The deal with Barclays Center on a 25-year lease was announced in 2012 after a failed attempt to secure public financing for a new arena on Long Island and zoning approval was rejected for a privately funded development plan that would have included renovations to the ColiseumNewsday reported earlier this month the lease has an opt-out clause with a January 2017 deadline for either side to terminate the deal. The Islanders could do it effective the end of the third season, and either side could do it for after the fourth season.I dont have a crystal ball, Yormark said. I cant tell you what the future holds. But I can tell you adamantly that were committed to providing a great season for everyone involved.To that end, Yormark said arena management conducted focus groups with fans in Brooklyn and on Long Island, asking what they liked and what they wanted to see improved.One of the top complaints was about transportation on the Long Island Rail Road after games. Fans were displeased with the service during the season, but noted it had improved for the playoffs, and Yormark said the LIRR had agreed to maintain the additional schedule of trains after games this season.Among other topics Yormark addressed:- Fans can expect to see more Islanders branding and signage around the arena, so they can feel this is their home. He also said there will be more equal availability of Islanders and Nets merchandising at the arenas retail stores.- With fans desire for more weekend games, Yormark noted there were 18 games scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays this season, an increase from last year. Its something we need to look at and see where we can make more improvements for next year, he said.- The teams ticket base had grown, with a marked increase in Manhattan residents who grew up in Long Island. He said the Long Island base had stabilized, while acknowledging some full-season ticket holders had chosen to trade down to partial plans.Weve addressed everything fans had their hands raised about, Yormark said. Im sure there will be more during the course of the season. Well remain flexible like we were last year. Well continue to learn and where we can get better, we will.---Follow Vin Cherwoo at www.twitter.com/VinCherwooAP Rockets Jerseys China . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. Cheap Custom Rockets Jersey . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. 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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Trevor Thompsons matching double-double -- 17 points and 17 rebounds -- pushed Ohio State past Connecticut, 64-60 on Saturday night.Jalen Adams made a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left and converted a 3-point play eight seconds later to pull UConn within three, but Ohio States Marc Loving hit a free throw put the lead back to four. The Huskies missed their final three shots.Thompson averaged 10.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in 20 minutes of play. He played for 30 minutes and reached a career high in points and rebounds. Connecticut coach Kevin Ollie described Thompsons presence as a monster.(I) definitely came into tonight with a chip on my shoulder after how I played and what happened last year (against Connecticut), Thompson said. I told myself before the game that I wanted revenge and payback. Thats what my mind was on.Thompson was primarily a starter last year, but has come off the bench in each of OSUs 10 games. Coach Thad Matta said that, despite mental things, Thompsons play has improved from a season ago.It just seems like hes calmed down a little bit more and has got a good focus about how hes playing and what hes doing, Matta said. Hes starting to get a little more instinctive, especially on the defensive end, which is good to see.UConn shot 54.2 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, including 4 of 9 from 3. Adams hit a 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer to take a 34-32 lead into halftime, despite 10 team turnovers.UConns Vance Jackson was 0 for his last 10 shots and 2 for his previous 18 coming into the game, but the Buckeyes had no answers for him and he scored nine of his 12 points in the first half.I felt like he was real aggresssive, Ollie said.dddddddddddd I could see him looking for his shot. Our guys were looking for him.After the under-eight timeout, UConn guard Rodney Purvis nailed a 3-pointer to end a team field-goal drought of more than five minutes. After the two teams traded baskets and were tied at 54, OSU began an 8-0 run that ended up being the difference.JaQuan Lyle, who had 16 points and only one turnover, converted six straight from the line down the stretch.Adams led UConn with 19 points.BIG PICTUREOhio State: Coach Thad Mattas team was able to close out a win following a disappointing loss on Tuesday to mid-major Florida Atlantic. The Buckeyes came into the game as one of the worst teams from the free throw line, but made 7 of 8 in the final two minutes and shot 76 percent.They were down to seven players tonight and we wanted to go at them and put ourselves in that position to get to the line, Matta said.Connecticut: The Huskies lost their fifth game of the season in the fewest number of games since Kevin Ollie took over as head coach in 2012. UConns poor shooting showed in the second half, just 35.5 percent from the field. What hurt the Huskies more than anything was a lack of ball control and foul trouble.Its just a scene. Its not the movie. Weve been through this before. Our guys have been through this before.UP NEXTThe Buckeyes and Huskies each have a full week to prepare for their next games. OSU competes in the CBS Sports Classic against No. 2 UCLA in Las Vegas on Dec. 17. UConn hosts the North Florida Ospreys in Storrs, Connecticut, on Dec. 18. ' ' '