UConn Women's Basketball Faces Syracuse for NCAA Second Round Rematch

STORRS, Conn. – The top-seeded UConn women's basketball team (35-0) is set to host No. 9 seed Syracuse (24-8) for a highly anticipated rematch on Monday at 6 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion. This NCAA Women's Basketball Championship Second Round game will be broadcast on ESPN and the UConn Sports Network.

UConn enters the tournament with an impressive history, being a No. 1 seed for the 23rd time and the No. 1 seed for the 15th time. The Huskies have a remarkable track record, boasting a 32-2 record all-time during the Second Round and a staggering 31 consecutive victories. Their NCAA Tournament performance is unmatched, with a record of 142-24, the best of any program.

After winning the 2025 NCAA Championship, UConn kicked off this year's tournament with a commanding 90-52 victory over No. 16 seed UTSA. Sophomore Sarah Strong led the charge with 18 points, supported by freshman Blanca Quiñonez with 15 points off the bench and junior Ashlynn Shade contributing 14 points. This victory marked UConn's 32nd consecutive First Round win.

UConn and Syracuse share a storied rivalry, having faced off numerous times, including this being their fifth NCAA Tournament meeting. Historically, UConn has dominated the series with a 40-13 record against the Orange, winning the last 27 matchups. The last encounter was a nail-biting 72-64 victory for UConn during the 2024 NCAA Second Round, where KK Arnold hit a clutch three-pointer with just 29 seconds remaining to secure the win.

Syracuse enters this game after defeating No. 8 seed Iowa State 72-63, with freshman center Uche Izoje leading the Orange with 23 points and sophomore guard Olivia Schmitt adding 15 points. Syracuse's head coach Felisha Legette-Jack, now entering her fourth season, has made a notable impact on the program, guiding them to the second round of the NCAA Tournament eight times out of their last nine appearances.

Legette-Jack has a unique connection with UConn, having been recruited by head coach Geno Auriemma during her playing days. She chose to play at Syracuse, where she became an All-American, and now leads the Orange against her former mentor's powerhouse team.

“I think for me, coming from Australia, I never really played on that stage before,” said Syracuse junior guard Sophie Burrows, who is the only player from the 2024 game returning for the Orange. Burrows scored six three-pointers against UConn two years ago, and she recalls the electric atmosphere. “That is what we play for, that kind of environment,” she added. “We need to go into this game with confidence. Obviously, we need to respect them, they are an amazing program, but anyone can beat anyone for 40 minutes.”

UConn’s head coach, Geno Auriemma, acknowledged that both teams have evolved since their last meeting. “They’re a little bit different than they were two years ago. We’re a little bit different than we were two years ago,” he said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their style of play. “It’s not an easy one tomorrow.”

Only two players from UConn's 2024 roster, Ashlynn Shade and KK Arnold, will take the court against Syracuse on Monday. Redshirt junior Ice Brady, who also played against the Orange, is unavailable this season due to a knee injury. Arnold, who played a key role two years ago, expressed her excitement for the rematch, recalling the memorable atmosphere and the pressure of tournament play.

“It was a great experience, and I can't wait for the same atmosphere,” Arnold said, highlighting the intensity that comes with NCAA Tournament games.

Syracuse’s performance against UConn has been marked by close contests, with only three of UConn's NCAA Tournament wins at Gampel Pavilion over the last 25 years being decided by nine points or less, two of which were under Legette-Jack's coaching. This history adds to the anticipation of Monday's game, where the Huskies will aim to extend their NCAA record of 31 straight Sweet 16 appearances.

Both teams are aware that past performances will have little bearing on the outcome of this matchup. UConn leads the nation with a field goal percentage of 52.43 and is also first for scoring defense, allowing only 50.4 points per game. Meanwhile, Syracuse ranks 11th nationally with 42.2 rebounds per game and 7th with 16.6 offensive rebounds per game.

“This is what happens during the NCAA Tournament,” Auriemma said. “People come out of nowhere, and they do things that are memorable.” The stakes are high for both teams, not just for advancing but for the pride of their respective programs.

With the winner set to face No. 4 UNC on Friday, this game promises to be a thrilling chapter for both UConn and Syracuse. Fans are eager to see if the Orange can pull off an upset against the reigning champions, or if UConn will continue its dominance and secure another spot among the elite teams of women's basketball.

Tickets for the game are available at uconnhuskies.com/tickets, and for those unable to attend, the game will be broadcast live on ESPN. This matchup is not just another game; it’s a continuation of a fierce rivalry and a showcase of the best talent that college women’s basketball has to offer.