Top-seeded Huskies aim to continue their dominance against the Orange on Monday night.
Category: Sports
STORRS, Conn. – If you’re a fan of women’s college basketball, mark your calendars. The top-seeded UConn Huskies (35-0) are set to host the No. 9 seed Syracuse Orange (24-8) on Monday at 6 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion for the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship. This matchup promises to be a thrilling rematch of their previous encounter, where UConn narrowly escaped with a 72-64 victory during the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
UConn enters this tournament with a storied history, having claimed the No. 1 seed for the 23rd time and the No. 1 seed for the 15th time. The Huskies boast an impressive 32-2 record all-time during the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, with a remarkable 31 consecutive wins. Their dominance extends to an incredible 142-24 record across NCAA Tournament history, the best of any program.
Last season, the Huskies celebrated their 12th national championship title after a stellar performance throughout the tournament. They kicked off this year’s NCAA Tournament with a decisive 90-52 victory over No. 16 seed UTSA, where sophomore Sarah Strong led the team with 18 points, supported by freshman Blanca Quiñonez and junior Ashlynn Shade, who added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
But Syracuse is no stranger to the pressure of tournament play. The Orange advanced to the second round after defeating No. 8 seed Iowa State 72-63, with standout performances from freshman center Uche Izoje, who scored 23 points, and sophomore guard Olivia Schmitt, who contributed 15 points, including five consecutive three-pointers during a key stretch.
Historically, UConn has dominated the series against Syracuse, leading 40-13 and winning the last 27 matchups, with their last loss to the Orange dating back to January 2, 1996. This matchup marks the fifth time the two teams have met during the NCAA Tournament and the fourth time they’ve faced each other during the second round.
For the Huskies, the stakes are high. A win would extend their NCAA record to 32 consecutive Sweet 16 appearances. Head coach Geno Auriemma, who has been at the helm of the program for decades, acknowledged the significance of the game, stating, “They’re a little bit different than they were two years ago. We’re a little bit different than we were two years ago. But our style of play is the same.”
Two years ago, the game against Syracuse was a nail-biter, with UConn relying on clutch performances from its players. KK Arnold, who is one of the few active players returning from that game, hit a game-sealing three-pointer with just 29 seconds left. “I was probably like mouth open, hands up, just like, jumping up and down,” recalled Ashlynn Shade, who also played a key role during that matchup.
On the Syracuse side, junior guard Sophia Burrows is the only player from the 2024 game still on the roster. She remembers the electric atmosphere of playing at Gampel Pavilion: “I definitely recall just the atmosphere. I had never played with that big of a crowd or anything like that. It was such an awesome experience.” Burrows, who scored six three-pointers during the previous encounter, emphasized the need for confidence heading into this game. “We need to go with confidence,” she said. “Obviously, we need to respect them; they are an amazing program, but anyone can beat anyone.”
Felisha Legette-Jack, head coach of Syracuse, has been instrumental to the team’s success and has a unique history with UConn. She was recruited by Auriemma when he was an assistant coach at Virginia, but chose to play at Syracuse instead. Now, she leads the Orange against her former mentor, aiming to pull off an upset. “I’m not a miracle worker,” Legette-Jack said, but she has managed to turn Syracuse into a competitive force.
Both teams are aware that the NCAA Tournament is a blank slate. Past performances, including the 2024 encounter, will not dictate the outcome of this game. UConn has never lost to Syracuse during the NCAA Tournament, and they are currently riding a 51-game winning streak at Gampel Pavilion, including 51 consecutive NCAA Tournament victories there.
UConn's defensive prowess has been a hallmark of their success, leading the nation with the fewest points allowed per game at just 50.4. Meanwhile, Syracuse ranks 11th nationally, averaging 42.2 rebounds per game, which includes an impressive 16.6 offensive boards per game.
For Syracuse, the absence of starting point guard Dominique Darius, who is out for the tournament due to finger surgery, presents a challenge. Darius has taken on a mentorship role, helping her teammates from the sidelines. “I trust my teammates and what they are able to do out there,” Darius said, emphasizing her commitment to supporting the team.
With both teams eager to make their mark, the stage is set for an exhilarating matchup. The winner of this game will advance to regional play and face No. 4 UNC on Friday, adding another layer of intensity to this already high-stakes encounter.
So, if you’re tuning into the game, expect a fierce battle between two storied programs with a rich history and a fierce rivalry. Will UConn continue their winning streak, or will Syracuse pull off the upset? One thing is for sure: this game is not to be missed.