Opponent Preview: NCAA Tournament caliber teams

With the landscape in the Big East leaving a lot to be desired this season, the second tier of UConn’s schedule is looking rather brief compared to most years. With only Creighton expected to be the only other at-large NCAA Tournament team from the conference, and a less than enthralling multi-team event lineup in the Bahamas over Thanksgiving, only five teams fall in this second group.

Beyond the marquee matchups, here are the at-large bid tournament caliber teams the Huskies will face this season.

No. 15 North Carolina (November 15)

Deja Kelly transferred out to Oregon in the offseason, but North Carolina returns veteran presence with Alyssa Utsby and Lexi Donarski. While technically a neutral court game in Greensboro, North Carolina, the proximity to the Tar Heels’ campus will also give UConn’s squad its first taste of a road environment for the season which will be useful to have under its belt before heading to South Bend a few weeks later.

In last season’s matchup at Mohegan Sun, the Huskies pulled away for a 12-point win. The Tar Heels, similar to UConn, were also riddled with injuries. Healthier this year, the first ranked match-up on the schedule should be interesting. The Huskies will be favored, but this might not be an easy out.

No. 20 Ole Miss (expected opponent for Baha Mar Championship on November 27)

For this matchup to happen, UConn will need to defeat an Oregon State team ravished by transfers (thanks to the dismantling of the Pac-12) in its first game, then Ole Miss will need to defeat Boston College. The Huskies should be hoping to face the Rebels since they make for a more intriguing opponent.

Ole Miss brings an identity as a tough and physical team, which will be a look the Huskies won’t see early in the season. How UConn’s young players respond to that style of play will be a good barometer for this team.

No. 17 Louisville (December 7)

The Cardinals return three of five leading scorers from last year’s squad, which was a 6-seed in the NCAA Tournament that flamed out against Middle Tennessee in the opening round. Louisville starts out the season as a top-25 team, but it seems likely this team will ocelate in and out of the rankings this season. That said, the Cardinals are still likely to make the big dance comfortably and pose as another good early season matchup for UConn.

Most notably, returning fifth year forward Olivia Cochran will provide a young Huskies frontcourt with an opportunity to go up against a veteran big. That experience alone — before the stretch of Notre Dame, Iowa State and USC that follows — makes the trip to Brooklyn for this one worthwhile.

No. 21 Creighton (January 25, February 27)

Emma Ronsiek departed the Bluejays to use her final year of eligibility alongside her sister at Colorado State, but the trio of Lauren Jensen, Morgan Maly and Molly Mogenson are back for their final year with Creighton.

Historically, UConn has this Creighton team’s number, winning both matchups last season by over 20 points. That said, even with the fall off from losing Ronsiek, the Bluejays are still projected to be a top-25 team and by far the best competition the Huskies will see in conference play. These will be important games in January and February.

Tennessee (February 6)

It’s been an eventful offseason in Knoxville. The Kelly Harper era came to a close and the Vols replaced her with the fascinating hire of former Marshall head coach Kim Caldwell. Caldwell led Marshall to the NCAA Tournament last season on a fast paced, high volume shooting style of play — vastly different than what Tennessee and the SEC is accustomed to.

The major coaching change surprisingly did not result in much roster turnover. Jewel Spear, Jillian Hollingshed and Sara Puckett all return, while Arkansas’ Samara Spencer makes an intriguing addition. The Vols likely aren’t a top-25 team, but should be at least in the bubble conversation come March.