From UConn:
STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team has released its non-conference schedule for the 2015-16 season, as announced by head coach Geno Auriemma on Monday, August 3. The 11-game schedule includes four contests at home, five on the road, one at a neutral site and one game that is TBA.
The final game of the non-conference schedule will be announced in the coming days.
The exhibition portion of the schedule includes matchups with Lubbock Christian on Monday, November 2 and Vanguard on Sunday, November 8. The Lady Chaps finished 21-7 overall last year, were 15-3 in the Heartland Conference and were ranked as highly as No. 19 in the NCAA Division II Coaches Poll. Vanguard finished the 2014-15 campaign with a 22-8 overall mark and were ranked No. 8 in the NAIA Poll. The Lions return All-NAIA selections Samantha Douchette and Riley Holsinger for the 2015-16 season.
The Huskies will open the 2015-16 regular season in Columbus, Ohio on Monday, November 16 with a showdown with Ohio State. The Buckeyes posted a 24-11 record last year, including a 13-5 mark in Big 10 play. OSU finished the season ranked No. 26 in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
UConn returns to the Nutmeg State for its home opener on Monday, November 23 against Kansas State. The Wildcats finished 19-14 in 2014-15 and advanced to the second round of the WNIT. The Huskies will remain in Connecticut during Thanksgiving before welcoming Nebraska to New England on Saturday, November 28. The Cornhuskers enjoyed another solid season last year, sporting a 21-11 record, including a 10-8 mark in the Big 10. Nebraska was ranked No. 41 in the RPI and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Next up for the Huskies is a trip to Chattanooga, Tenn. for a contest with head coach Jim Foster and the Mocs on Monday, November 30. Chattanooga finished 29-4 last year and won the Southern Conference Regular Season and Tournament titles. The Mocs were rated No. 22 in the RPI and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Chattanooga returns four starters off last year’s team, including First Team All-SoCon selections Chelsey Shumpert and Jasmine Joyner.
UConn will then head to the Windy City for a matchup with DePaul on Wednesday, December 2. The Blue Demons shared the Big East Regular Season title last year before winning the Tournament crown. Head coach Doug Bruno led DePaul to a 27-8 overall record and defeated Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before falling at Notre Dame in the second round.
Next on the docket is the Jimmy V Classic showdown with Notre Dame on Saturday, December 5. The Irish finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally and posted a 36-3 overall record en route to winning the ACC Regular Season and Tournament championships. Notre Dame has made four appearances in the NCAA national championship game since 2011, falling to the Huskies in 2014 and 2015.
On Wednesday, December 9, UConn will travel to Hamilton, N.Y. for a matchup at Colgate. The Raiders posted a 9-22 record last year, including a 7-11 mark in the Patriot League.
The Huskies will head back to Connecticut for the 2015 Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge on Friday, December 11 as UConn will square-off against Florida State at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The Seminoles put together an outstanding year in 2014-15 and finished with a 32-5 overall record, including a 14-2 mark in the ACC. FSU was rated No. 7 in the RPI and advanced to the Regional Final of the NCAA Tournament.
After breaking 10 days for final exams, UConn will match up with LSU on Monday, December 21 in the Constitution State. LSU won four games against top-20 teams last season and finished the season with a 17-11 overall record, including a 10-6 mark in the SEC. LSU’s 2014-15 season ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
UConn’s final non-conference regular season matchup is scheduled for Monday, February 8 when the team travels to Columbia, S.C. for a showdown with the Gamecocks. South Carolina finished the 2014-15 season with a 34-3, shared the SEC Regular Season crown with a 15-1 league mark and won the SEC Tournament. The Gamecocks finished the season ranked No. 4 in the RPI and advanced to their first Final Four in school history.
Game times, home game locations and television information will be released at a later date. Stay current by checking UConnHuskies.com and on twitter @UConnWBB.
2015-16 Schedule Notes
11 total games
Four home games
Five away games
One game at a neutral site
One game TBA
Eight games against 2015 NCAA Tournament Teams
Four games against teams that advanced to at least the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament
Two games against teams that advanced to the 2015 Final Four
Six games against teams ranked in the top-35 of the 2015 RPI
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