A Historic Matchup
On Nov. 24, the St. John's University women's basketball team will take the court at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., to face the UCLA Bruins, the defending NCAA champions. The game headlines the 13th annual Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase, a four‑team event that brings together some of the most successful programs in recent memory.
The showcase features a remarkable lineup: besides St. John's and UCLA, the tournament includes South Carolina, the other national champion from this year's Final Four, and a fourth team that also reached the semifinals. This concentration of recent champions underscores the significance of the event and promises high‑stakes basketball from the outset.
St. John's coach Joe Tartamella expressed enthusiasm about the matchup, highlighting the opportunity to test his squad against elite competition. "We're excited to compete against top programs and see where we stand," Tartamella said, emphasizing the team's preparation and chemistry.
The Red Storm will field a strong roster, retaining All‑Big East honorees Brooke Moore and Sa’Mya Wyatt, while also welcoming new additions Sanaa Tripp, a transfer from Belmont, and highly touted prospect Yohana Fami. Their blend of experience and fresh talent aims to complement the existing core.
UCLA arrives after closing out a near‑perfect 37‑1 season with a national championship victory over South Carolina. The Bruins will also meet South Carolina again in a rematch of this year's Final Four, adding another layer of intrigue to the event.
Historically, the two programs have met only a few times, with St. John's holding a single win against UCLA. Their upcoming encounter marks the Johnnies' 11th appearance at the Mohegan Sun Arena, a venue that has hosted the Big East tournament since 2021 and is home to the WNBA's Connecticut Sun.
The arena's role as a hub for major college basketball events adds a unique atmosphere to the game, blending the excitement of March Madness with the prestige of the Hall of Fame showcase. Fans can expect a competitive, high‑profile contest that highlights the growing prominence of women's college basketball.