The best non-conference games on UConn women's basketball's stacked schedule
It has become an expectation for UConn women’s basketball that its non-conference schedule will be absolutely stacked. A who’s who of the best programs across the country, all looking to give the Huskies their best shot. This year is no different for the program as they announced their non-conference schedule, which one of the toughest in recent memory.
It genuinely is tough to pick which games are going to be the most must-see, but three do stand out amongst a sea of great competition.
Vs. South Carolina (Tues., Nov. 24th, Mohegan Sun Arena)
UConn leads matchup history, 11-6.
First up is the Final Four rematch. After a brief hiatus to the regular season series, UConn and South Carolina are back on as a regular season matchup. Following the theatrics in Phoenix at the Final Four, to say that there will be plenty to discuss is an understatement.
It is also a game that has left an understandably sour taste in the mouth of the returning Huskies players. A little bulletin board material never hurt anybody, and with the championship standard at UConn, a chance to get a win back against the team that knocked you out of the NCAA Tournament the year prior will always be welcomed.
In terms of what we will see on the court, the battle of the bigs is incredibly exciting on paper. Sarah Strong and Blanca Quiñonez with more experience under their belts facing off against a deep rotation of forwards and centers for the Gamecocks has every indication of a battle all over the court.
At Notre Dame (Wed., Dec. 9th, Purcell Pavilion)
UConn leads matchup history, 41-16.
Another NCAA Tournament rematch, and it comes in the form of one of the best rivalries in the women’s game. Anytime you have UConn matching up with Notre Dame, there is gonna be some extra oomph to it. Add the revenge factor mentioned above, add the will of a Notre Dame team that will be looking to protect home court, and then add in Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo. That is a heck of a recipe for an intense basketball game.
The matchup against the Fighting Irish’s superstar Hidalgo will certainly be the biggest focus for the Huskies entering this game. Over the course of the game, she will certainly see multiple bodies thrown her way, but it will likely be the responsibility of senior guard KK Arnold to try and slow down Hidalgo on both sides of the court.
Vs LSU (Sun., Dec. 20th., Bridgestone Arena)
UConn leads matchup history, 8-1
Geno Auriemma standing across from Kim Mulkey on the sideline, for the first time since she took the helm of LSU, should be a strong enough tagline to explain why this is going to be appointment television, but it gets so much better than just that. The final non-conference matchup for the Huskies, and it is an incredible test before going into conference play at the turn of the calendar.
LSU has the chance to be the hungriest of all the opponents on the non-con slate for UConn. The Tigers, who have deployed the opposite strategy in their non-conference scheduling than UConn does since Mulkey’s arrival in Baton Rouge, have decided to take on a stronger non-conference slate this season prior to entering into SEC play. It will be a chance for “The Show” to go up against the standard in women’s basketball and ride into SEC play with an incredibly strong wind at their back.
For the Huskies, it will be another game of being the hunted. Playing in Nashville on a neutral court will provide potentially the most like-for-like NCAA Tournament experience during the regular season run. A top team, on a neutral court, that is something that the Huskies are accustomed to and will be a situation they yet again when they step on the court with LSU.
