The Hall of Fame Series Exhibition game on Monday at Mohegan Sun Arena saw the UConn women’s basketball team defeat Syracuse 88-60 in a predominantly one-sided game. Seven different players scored in double digits for the Huskies. After the game, Geno Auriemma gave his opinion on a few of his players to set the tone for the season’s start, as despite what the scoreline might suggest, it was far from a perfect game for UConn.
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“Coming into the game, we really didn’t know much about Syracuse. They had a kind of whole new roster somewhat, but I think it just helped us stay together and kind of figure out what happens out there in the game….They were anxious to play, and you could see it. You could feel it… But when the shots don’t go in, you know, everybody gets a little bit kind of wonky, you know, like, how come they’re not going in? Like they’re supposed to go in all the time,” Auriemma said after the game.
The Huskies’ charge was led by Sarah Strong, who finished with 15 points. However, the game was far from perfect for the UConn star, as she shot just 6-for-16 from the field and committed four fouls. Moreover, UConn managed to convert just three of their 22 shots from beyond the arc.
This inefficient shooting clip elicited an honest take from Auriemma.
“Now, they’re supposed to go in more than three out of 22 times from the three-point line. But I’m kind of glad that happened too, because all these things that happen are good because they’re opportunities; they’re opportunities for us to get better at. So if we could win a game like this the way we did, making three threes, I think we could be pretty good at that.”
Despite the Huskies’ inefficient shooting, Syracuse was not really able to pose any challenge after halftime, as the Huskies maintained a comfortable lead to close out the game 88-60. Felisha Legette-Jack, head coach of Syracuse, strongly felt that Sarah Strong was ultimately the deciding factor in the game.
“Sarah Strong’s so good, man. The only reason why we were getting close, everybody knows, she’s on the bench. There could be four kids from middle school and Sarah Strong, and they got a chance to win unless you get her on the bench. Love everything about her… She’s a No. 1 draft pick whenever she decides to go to the league,” said Legette-Jack.
UConn made its intentions clear early in the game and was leading 23-8 by the end of the first quarter. Olivia Vukosa scored 10 points on the night, but Auriemma was not particularly happy about an aspect of Vukosa’s play.
“Yeah, I don’t think Olivia’s had one day of practice that was as good as today. I don’t know what they’re teaching in Catholic schools these days, but her practice habits are not great.”
“She’s only going to get better from here, and I thought she looked pretty darn good tonight.”
On the other hand, Jovana Popovic made her first start for the Huskies. She finished the game with 10 points. Auriemma liked the way she adapted quickly to the game and praised her for her basketball IQ.
“Even though she theoretically is a freshman, I think her basketball mindset and her basketball mentality is a little bit higher than that.”
UConn will play two more games as part of its preseason exhibition schedule. They are once again expected to finish with a good record in the coming season.
UConn Placed At The Summit In Pre-Season Poll
At this month’s start, the results of the BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll were announced. After finishing with a dominant 38-1 record in the 2025-26 season, it was not surprising to see UConn again top the preseason poll.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Huskies earned a unanimous 100 points and 10 first-place votes in the preseason poll. This is in line with what is expected of the Huskies, with UConn winning 25 BIG EAST regular-season titles and 24 tournament crowns, and having swept both trophies during the 2025–26 campaign.
They were led by tournament MVP Sarah Strong, who swept both the Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Strong led the program with 18.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
She was flanked by reliable production from KK Arnold, Ashlynn Shade, and newcomer Blanca Quiñonez, who doubled up on Freshman and Sixth Woman of the Year trophies.
The Huskies return to action next Monday, welcoming Texas to Hartford for their second preseason exhibition.