The University of Connecticut’s women’s basketball program is set to tackle one of the most demanding nonconference slates in recent memory for the 2026‑27 season. The Huskies will open the year with a mix of home‑court advantages and road tests that pit them against a who’s‑who of recent national contenders.
Rivalries and Milestones
A marquee matchup arrives on November 24, when South Carolina visits Storrs. The game carries extra weight after the Gamecocks ended UConn’s 54‑game winning streak in the 2026 Final Four, a loss that still fuels anticipation. Earlier in the month, the Huskies will host Duke in a return to the TD Garden, marking the start of a three‑year series in which UConn holds a 14‑3 edge over the Blue Devils.
The schedule also features a home‑and‑home series with Iowa, where returning scorers Ava Heiden and Chazadi Wright will look to add a new chapter to the rivalry, and a clash with Michigan that brings stars Olivia Olson and Syla Swords to Storrs. Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge, a Second‑Team All‑American, is slated to lead the Buckeyes in a November 12 showdown, while Louisville will conclude its home‑and‑home series with the Huskies, a matchup that underscores UConn’s 21‑3 historical dominance.
Other notable additions include a neutral‑site appearance in the Women’s Champions Classic against Maryland, a program that the Huskies have beaten twice in the past, and an espnW Invitational game versus LSU, where Coach Kim Mulkey’s Tigers await. The Huskies will also travel to face Tennessee, a series they lead 18‑10 all‑time, and a home game against Notre Dame, where Hannah Hidalgo, a two‑time All‑American, will spearhead the Fighting Irish.
Across the slate, nine of UConn’s opponents earned a spot in the 2026 Elite Eight, and four reached the national semifinals, underscoring the depth of competition. With a blend of seasoned veterans, rising stars, and high‑stakes venues, the upcoming schedule promises to test the Huskies’ depth and ambition as they aim to reclaim their place among the nation’s elite.