The UConn women’s basketball team released their 2015-16 non-conference schedule on Monday night, and to our delight there are many exciting match-ups. The Huskies will play one of the strongest non-conference slates in recent memory.
Give UConn credit for beefing up their non-conference schedule. Eight teams out of 11 teams played in the NCAA Tournament last season, including seven from "power five" conferences. Five of these games will be played on the road. The Huskies will get their heaviest competition early in the year, as the conference games should be a relative breeze.
The Huskies will be attempting to win an unprecedented fourth straight national title this season. They start the season at Ohio State in November, then host Notre Dame in a national championship rematch in December, and visit South Carolina in early February.
There is still one opponent that has not been announced. There are rumors around the web that the Huskies will face either Rutgers or Maryland in the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden. UConn is expecting to make that announcement soon.
In addition, the American released the opponents the Huskies will most likely demolish in league action. UConn has won 42 in a row against AAC opponents. They will play each team twice, except they will host UCF and travel to Houston. For the third straight season, Mohegan Sun Arena will host the AAC Women’s Basketball Tournament in March.
Non-Conference Schedule
Nov. 2 – Lubbock Christian (exhibition)
D-II school, finished 21-7 last season. Should play the USA National Team or UConn Alumnae Team in a scrimmage instead.
Nov. 8 – Vanguard (exhibition)
NAIA school, finished 22-8 last season. Should have scheduled the WNBA All-Star team or the Connecticut Sun.
Nov. 16 – at Ohio State; Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Season opener, should either be played on the ESPN family of networks as a part of 24-hours of College Hoops. Buckeyes went to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Third all-time meeting between the two schools. Previous two match-ups were played on neutral sites.
Nov. 23 – Kansas State
Home-opener, possibly the banner raising night. The Wildcats went to the NIT last year.
Nov. 28 – Nebraska
Second Big Ten opponent the Huskies will face during the young season. The Cornhuskers are making their first trip to Connecticut.
Nov. 30 – at Tennessee-Chattanooga; McKenzie Arena, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Geno Auriemma will face his friend and mentor Jim Forster. This could be a potential upset as the Mocs are known for playing the role as giant slayers. Too bad this game is not being played in Knoxville.
Dec. 2 – at DePaul; McGrath Arena, Chicago
The Huskies will face their old Big East foe in DePaul. UConn beat the Blue Demons 98-64 in Bridgeport last season.
Dec. 5 – Notre Dame (Jimmy V Classic); 3:15pm ESPN
National Championship Rematch! The Huskies have won four straight in the series against the Irish after losing seven out of eight games in the final days of the Big East.
Dec. 9 – at Colgate; Cotterell Court, Hamilton, N.Y.
Breanna Stewart’s Homecoming Game in upstate New York.
Dec. 11 – Florida State (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge); 6pm ESPN2
Game will be played at Mohegan Sun Arena for the second straight season. Second ACC opponent the Huskies will face. The last time these two team met was when UConn won their 89th straight win and Maya Moore went off for 41 points in Hartford. FSU is much improved and is a potential Final Four team.
Dec. 21 – LSU
The Tigers have always played UConn tough throughout the years. Should be a good match-up after the finals break against a quality SEC opponent.
Feb. 8 – at South Carolina; Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C.
This should be a national championship game preview. On paper they are the two most talented teams in the country. It should be UConn’s lone test in 2016 prior to the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies ran the Gamecocks out of the building last season in Storrs.
*NOTES: Game times, television info, and home locations will be announced at a later date.
American Athletic Conference Opponents
Home – UCF, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Memphis, USF, SMU, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa
Away – Houston, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Memphis, USF, SMU, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa
Tournament – March 4-7, 2016 at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Conn.
*NOTES: Game dates, times, television info, and home locations will be announced at a later date.