The UConn women’s basketball team continues its remarkable journey toward an undefeated regular season after a commanding 30-point victory over No. 19 Tennessee on Sunday. The Huskies, currently ranked No. 1, have only eight Big East games left to play and are on track to extend their impressive streak of 59 consecutive wins against Big East opponents, a run that began in 2023. The last time the program entered the NCAA Tournament without a loss was in the 2017-18 season, which saw them achieve a stunning 36-0 record before a heartbreaking loss to Notre Dame in the Final Four.
Despite entering the current season with significant questions in leadership roles following the departures of standout players like Paige Bueckers and Kaitlyn Chen, UConn has found a seamless transition in the duo of All-American sophomore Sarah Strong and redshirt senior Azzi Fudd. Strong and Fudd ranked first and third, respectively, in the Big East in scoring, propelling the team during critical matchups. Together, they delivered a combined 53 points against Tennessee, while also showcasing their defensive prowess as they rank among the top 10 nationally in defensive win shares.
Head coach Geno Auriemma praised the growing leadership within the team, noting the impactful contributions of both Strong and Fudd. “Sarah’s voice is getting louder. Azzi… when she speaks, it’s impactful,” Auriemma remarked after the game. He emphasized that true leadership manifests in key moments when the team needs to secure crucial plays, illustrating the role both players take in guiding their teammates.
UConn’s campaign continues as they face DePaul on Wednesday in a rematch after an overwhelming 102-35 victory against the Blue Demons in December. The Huskies are looking to maintain their momentum against a struggling DePaul squad currently sitting at the bottom of the conference. The prior encounter exemplified UConn’s dominance, with the Huskies forcing 32 turnovers and recording 23 steals.
With an average victory margin exceeding 43 points during conference play and a historic streak of 18 straight wins by at least 25 points, UConn has established itself as an undeniable force in women’s basketball. The team holds the No. 1 defense and the No. 2 offense in the nation, excelling in key areas such as assists, field goals, 3-point shooting, steals, and turnover margin.
Even with their impressive performance, Fudd highlighted the importance of continued improvement through practice. “We still get a lot of stuff pointed out to us,” she said, shedding light on the rigorous coaching and a commitment to excellence that remains central to the team’s ethos.
Looking forward, Auriemma is focused on refining the team’s small imperfections that could prove pivotal against tougher competition. This includes enhancing defensive strategies and ensuring shot distribution remains varied to avoid being predictable on offense.
As they prepare for this week’s game against DePaul, UConn is also providing opportunities for less experienced players to step up, ensuring depth and readiness for the crucial phase of the season. USC transfer Kayleigh Heckel, who scored a season-high 16 points in the first meeting with DePaul, along with rising sophomore Allie Ziebell and Wisconsin transfer Serah Williams, are all expected to contribute significantly as the tournament approaches.
Fans eager to watch UConn take on DePaul can tune in on Wednesday at 8 p.m. from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The game will be broadcasted on truTV and available for streaming on HBO Max, showcasing the continuing excellence of UConn women’s basketball. As the team builds confidence and sharpens its skills, they remain poised for a strong run leading into March.