The UConn women's basketball team opens its 2026-27 regular season against Cornell on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 5 p.m. in Hartford, marking the official start of a heavily anticipated campaign.
This opening matchup gives head coach Geno Auriemma an immediate test to evaluate a revamped roster that blends established talent with promising newcomers, including Blanca Quiñonez, Marine Dursus, and Morgan Cheli, who are expected to be available for the season opener.
The UConn women's basketball team opens its 2026-27 regular season against Cornell on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 5 p.m. in Hartford, marking the official start of a heavily anticipated campaign. The team has 13 players participating in practice, including newcomers Olivia Vukosa, Kayleigh Heckel, and Sarah Strong. Preparation for the contest reached a significant milestone on Saturday, marking the first time all 13 players participated fully in a single team practice, with 25 players not being part of this number. The Huskies enter the game carrying high expectations after a rare full-squad practice session over the weekend, setting the stage for their national aspirations, which include 9 conference games and 12 non-conference games, and 21 games in total before the postseason.
Roster Availability
Blanca Quiñonez, Marine Dursus, and Morgan Cheli are expected to be available for the opening tipoff, providing immediate rotation options for the coaching staff. Their presence alongside returners like KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade gives the lineup considerable versatility on both ends of the floor. The team has 5 returning players, including Shade, who will play a crucial role in the team's success. Additional firepower comes from newcomers Olivia Vukosa, Kayleigh Heckel, and Sarah Strong, who are expected to command heavy minutes as the season progresses, with 13 players competing for starting positions.
The team's roster has 2 seniors, 5 juniors, and 6 sophomores, providing a good balance of experience and youth. The Huskies will quickly pivot toward a demanding schedule designed to test their postseason readiness, with 12 games scheduled before the new year, including 9 games in November and 3 games in December. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m., with regional broadcast coverage set to capture the opening moments of the campaign, which will be the team's 2008th game in the NCAA.
Historical Context
UConn won its only previous meeting against Cornell during the 2008 NCAA Tournament, dominating the historic matchup from the opening whistle. Monday night provides the Ivy League visitors another chance at the powerhouse program nearly two decades later. The Huskies have a 21-2 record against Ivy League teams, with their last loss coming in 2012. Geno Auriemma has a 25-5 record in season openers, and the team is looking to extend its winning streak to 12 games, dating back to the 2025-26 season.
The UConn women's basketball team is ready to start its 2026-27 season against Cornell, with a revamped roster and high expectations, looking to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, with 13 players, 5 returning starters, and a new coaching staff, all working together to achieve their goal of winning the championship, in the 2026-27 season, which includes 25 games before the postseason.