Reviving a storied rivalry
The University of Connecticut announced that its men’s basketball program will open the 2026‑27 season against Ohio State in Storrs, Connecticut, on November 13, 2026, before the two schools travel to Columbus for a return match on November 12, 2027. The agreement marks a home‑and‑home commitment that spans two consecutive seasons and adds a high‑profile non‑conference slot to each schedule.
Historically, the two programs have met 14 times since the 1983‑84 season, producing a 3‑4 edge for Ohio State in the all‑time series. The Buckeyes captured the 1988 NIT Championship with a 72‑67 victory over UConn and later eliminated the Huskies in the 1992 NCAA Tournament second round. UConn’s lone national semifinal triumph over Ohio State came in 1999 at Tropicana Field, a game that still resonates in the program’s lore.
Recent years have seen the series split evenly, with each team winning on its home floor during the 2015‑16 and 2016‑17 home‑and‑home matchups. That balance of advantage has kept the rivalry fresh, and the upcoming fixtures are being positioned as marquee events within UConn’s broader non‑conference agenda, which also includes contests against Michigan, Arizona, Duke, Illinois and Kansas.
The scheduling move reflects a strategic effort by both schools to bolster strength of schedule and provide fans with high‑stakes early‑season tests. For Ohio State, the series is part of a blockbuster slate that also features games against traditional powerhouses, while UConn views the matchups as opportunities to showcase its program on a national stage.
Looking ahead
Fans can expect a competitive atmosphere when the Huskies take the court in Connecticut, with the home crowd hoping to flip the historical narrative. The return trip to Ohio will test UConn’s ability to translate early‑season momentum into a road win, a feat that has been rare in past encounters.