A deep dive into UConn's non-conference schedule

The Huskies' out-of-conference slate is different than years past.

Author

Daniel Connolly
August 22, 2024

In partnership with

Photo: Ian Bethune

Welcome to the UConn WBB Weekly, a recap of everything that happened in the world of UConn women’s basketball over the past week from the team that runs The UConn Blog.

Sign up to get the Weekly in your inbox every Thursday or subscribe to get our premium newsletter which includes game coverage, analysis, recruiting updates, and more!

Headlines

News

Analysis

Last week’s Weekly

Elsewhere

A deep dive into UConn's non-conference schedule

On Tuesday, UConn finally put out its 2023-24 non-conference schedule. While the full slate (with tip-off times, venues and television info) won’t come out until the Big East releases their schedule, there’s still plenty to glean from the drop. After all, non-con is usually the most exciting part of the Huskies’ season anyways.

Heavy on regional foes

While UConn once again stacked its non-conference schedule with top opponents like South Carolina, USC, Notre Dame, Iowa State, UNC, Louisville and Tennessee, there’s also filler than usual.

Over the last few years, UConn has opened its season with a low-major opponents: Dayton in 2023, Northeastern in 2022, UMass Lowell in 2020. Not only will that trend continue with Boston University coming to town to kick off the new campaign, the Huskies also scheduled Fairleigh Dickinson and Holy Cross. That’s three tune-ups for UConn — a rarity.

The last time the Huskies played this many overmatched regional opponents in non-conference play was 2013-14 with Hartford, BU, Monmouth and St. Bonaventure all on the slate.

The top of UConn’s schedule remains as difficult as ever, but the bottom of it is much weaker.

Lots of history

If nothing else, UConn’s non-conference schedule is steeped in history. USF, Louisville and Notre Dame are all former Big East members. Tennessee and South Carolina are the Huskies’ pre-eminent rivals along with the Fighting Irish. UConn has faced UNC, Iowa State and USC deep in the NCAA Tournament — with mixed results.

There’s even some history with the pushovers. The Huskies played Holy Cross every single season between 1997-2011 — a span of 15 years — and faced BU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament back in 2003.

The one exception is Fairleigh Dickinson. The Huskies have played them just a single time — a forgettable 74-28 beatdown at Gampel Pavilion in Nov. 2011.

Still, between the non-conference schedule and Big East play, UConn will see plenty of familiar foes in 2024-25.

The December Stretch

UConn opens December with what should be a rather easy matchup against Holy Cross. After that, the Huskies face a gauntlet. First, they’ll play Louisville in the Champions Classic in Brooklyn. After that, it’s out to South Bend to take on Notre Dame before returning to Connecticut to face Iowa State at Mohegan Sun then welcome USC to the XL Center.

In that time, UConn could prove itself to be a legitimate national title contender, or it could learn that it has plenty of work to do before March rolls around.

Home/away split

In non-conference play, UConn will have five games at home, three on the road and five at neutral sites. Most of the home slate is underwhelming — BU, USF, Fairleigh Dickinson and Holy Cross — but the showdown with USC should make up for it.

Meanwhile, every single road game will have a big-time feel to it with Notre Dame, Tennessee, South Carolina.

As for the neutral site games, only Baha Mar will truly be “neutral”. They’ll play UNC just an hour from Chapel Hill in Greensboro, then Iowa State at Mohegan Sun and Louisville in Brooklyn may as well be home games for the Huskies.

The last unknown

While UConn announced that it’ll play in the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship in the Bahamas on Nov. 25 and 27, the opponents have not yet been revealed. NC State and LSU will also participate, though that doesn’t mean either will face the Huskies. In fact, Bob Joyce, the team’s radio voice, shot down any hopes of a matchup with Kim Mulkey’s squad.

Still, UConn will likely take on a high-caliber opponent at some point during the event, whether it be NC State or someone else.

Limited travel

The Huskies have racked up plenty of airline miles the last few years. In 2022-23, UConn went out to the Pacific Northwest twice — first for the Phil Knight Legacy Tournament in Portland then the NCAA Regionals in Seattle. Last season, the Huskies journeyed to the Cayman Islands, Minneapolis, Toronto, Texas then back to Portland for the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight.

UConn has a much lighter non-conference travel load this season. It won’t go farther west than Notre Dame while the longest trip will be to the Bahamas, about 1,200 miles from Storrs. For reference, the Huskies will have to go roughly the same distance to face Creighton in Big East play.

Fort Hays State (again)

UConn’s lone exhibition will be against Fort Hays State on Nov. 3. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because the Huskies previously faced the Tigers in preseason action back in 2021 and 2017. A Division II program out of Hays, Kansas, went 25-8 last season and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Best of social media

Inês Bettencourt is still a Husky at heart:

Gampel Pavilion will look different next season:

Gabby Williams is back in the WNBA:

That built-in chemistry:

Rings As Unique As Your Love

JamesAllen.com makes ring shopping simple and enjoyable. With over 500,000 certified lab grown and natural diamonds, you're sure to find the perfect one. Choose from more than 500 unique ring settings in gold and platinum, or design your own in our Ring Studio. Our 24/7 customer service team is here to assist you with free diamond consultations. Enjoy the benefits of special financing, a lifetime warranty, and free worldwide shipping. Shop smarter and create something beautiful with James Allen.

Reply

or to participate.