The top-seeded Huskies aim to extend their NCAA Tournament dominance against the Orange tonight.
Category: Sports
UConn's women's basketball team, the top seed and undefeated at 35-0, prepares to host No. 9 seed Syracuse (24-8) tonight at 6 p.m. for the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship at Gampel Pavilion. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and the UConn Sports Network.
This matchup is steeped with the weight of tournament stakes and with history. UConn enters the NCAA Tournament for the 23rd time ranked No. 1 and holds the title of the No. 1 seed for the 15th time. The Huskies boast a remarkable 32-2 record all-time during the second round, having won 31 consecutive second-round games.
UConn's storied NCAA Tournament history includes a record of 142-24, the best winning percentage across all divisions. The Huskies are fresh off a dominant 90-52 victory over No. 16 seed UTSA, where sophomore Sarah Strong led the team with 18 points, followed by freshman Blanca Quiñonez with 15 and junior Ashlynn Shade with 14. This win marked UConn's 32nd consecutive first-round victory.
Tonight’s game is a rematch of the thrilling 2024 second-round encounter, where UConn narrowly defeated Syracuse 72-64. That game was highlighted by a clutch three-pointer from then-freshman KK Arnold, who is now a key player for the Huskies. Arnold's shot with just 29 seconds left secured the victory, preserving UConn's NCAA Tournament record of 31 straight Sweet 16 appearances.
“They're a little bit different than they were two years ago. We're a little bit different than we were two years ago,” said UConn head coach Geno Auriemma. “But our style of play is the same. Theirs is not that different; ours is not that much different. It’s not an easy one tomorrow.”
For Syracuse, this matchup is both a challenge and an opportunity. The Orange advanced to the second round after defeating No. 8 seed Iowa State 72-63, powered by freshman center Uche Izoje, who scored 23 points, and sophomore guard Olivia Schmitt, who added 15 points, including five three-pointers.
“We need to go into this game with confidence. Obviously, we need to respect them; they are an amazing program. But, I mean, no one really expects us to do a whole lot except the people inside our locker room,” said Syracuse junior guard Sophia Burrows, who is the only remaining player from the 2024 game. Burrows had a standout performance two years ago with six three-pointers and 18 points.
Historical records show that UConn holds a commanding 41-12 lead over Syracuse all-time, with the Huskies winning the last 27 meetings since a loss on January 2, 1996. This game marks the fifth NCAA Tournament meeting between the two teams, with four encounters occurring during the second round. UConn has never lost to Syracuse during the NCAA Tournament.
“This is what happens during the NCAA Tournament,” Auriemma said. “People come out of nowhere, and they do things that are memorable.”
Tonight’s game is a chance for UConn to extend its dominance and an opportunity for Syracuse to make a statement. A victory would mark the Orange's first Sweet 16 appearance since their historic 2016 season, where they reached the national championship game.
“We have to be at our best for 40 minutes,” Burrows added, emphasizing the unpredictability of March Madness. “Anything can happen.”
For UConn, returning players from the 2024 encounter include Arnold and Shade, who combined for 29 points during that game. Ice Brady, another player from that matchup, is sidelined this year due to a season-ending knee injury. The absence of Brady is felt deeply, but the team remains focused on the task at hand.
“The thing about tournament time is if you don’t have your ‘A’ game, anybody can beat you on any night,” Shade said, underscoring the pressure of the postseason.
On the Syracuse side, head coach Felisha Legette-Jack has built a competitive team that has shown resilience, especially after being projected to finish 13th by the ACC preseason poll. She has a personal connection to UConn, having been recruited by Auriemma when he was an assistant coach, but chose to play at Syracuse. This adds another layer to the rivalry.
“I’m not a miracle worker, but I’ve done some impressive work here,” Legette-Jack said, acknowledging the tough task of facing UConn. “We need to respect them, but we also need to believe we can win.”
Tonight’s game holds the promise of thrilling basketball and the potential for an upset. With UConn's impressive home record at Gampel Pavilion, where they have won 51 consecutive NCAA Tournament games, the stakes couldn't be higher for both teams.
Tickets for the game are available through the UConn athletics website, and fans unable to attend can catch the action live on ESPN. The winner will advance to face No. 4 UNC on Friday for a chance to compete for a spot among the elite teams of the tournament.
With the history between these two teams and the stakes of the NCAA Tournament, fans can expect an exciting matchup filled with intensity and passion. Will UConn continue its dominance, or will Syracuse pull off a stunning upset? The answer awaits at Gampel Pavilion tonight.