The UConn men’s basketball team just unveiled what’s arguably the toughest nonconference schedule in program history. We’re talking about a slate that features seven high-major programs who wrapped up the 2025-26 season inside the top-25 KenPom rankings. Yeah, that includes three of the top contenders and four of the top five overall. It’s an absolute beast, and that’s even before they dive into what’s expected to be a super competitive Big East season, with teams like St. John’s and Villanova likely landing in the top-25, and Marquette, Creighton, and Providence all looking much improved.
Kicking Things Off and a Championship Rematch
First up, the Huskies are going to battle Gardner-Webb on Monday, November 2, right there at Gampel Pavilion. This is wild: it’s their first matchup in 19 years, after they played twice in a five-day stretch back in 2007! UConn took both those games, 78-66 in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic after GWU upset Kentucky, then 89-72 just five days later. Gardner-Webb went 4-29 overall last year, 1-15 in the Big South, so this should be a good warm-up. But hold up, because things get real Friday, November 6, when they face Michigan at TD Garden in Boston. This is the immediate rematch of April’s national championship game, only both squads look totally different. UConn’s lost Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr., while Michigan’s seen NBA lottery picks Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Morez Johnson head out. Oh, and their head coach, Dusty May, bolted for the Dallas Mavericks after winning the natty! Former Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton Jr. is now running the Wolverines. Elliot Cadeau, who torched the Huskies for 19 points in the title game, is back for Michigan, along with Trey McKenney. It’s Braylon Mullins from UConn going up against those guys. You know Michigan won it all last year, so this one’s got some real bite.
Revenge Games and Dan Hurley’s Past
Then on Monday, November 9, it’s a revenge game against Wagner. Seriously, a revenge game! The Huskies haven’t seen the Seahawks since November 11, 2016, when Wagner rolled into Gampel Pavilion on Opening Night and stunned them with a 67-58 victory. That loss, followed by another to Northeastern three nights later, kicked off an absolutely embarrassing 0-2 start to a 16-17 season for UConn. Talk about needing to settle a score! And get this, Wagner is where Dan Hurley started his college head coaching career, turning a four-win program into a 25-win team in just two seasons. He even faced Jim Calhoun and the Huskies back in 2011, taking a 78-66 loss at Gampel. Wagner finished 14-17 overall last year, 8-10 in the Northeast Conference, though they did upset CCSU in their league tournament quarterfinals.
The Big East schedule is still about a week away, but man, this non-conference slate is no joke. That Michigan rematch on November 6 is going to be must-watch TV, but they gotta handle Gardner-Webb first. Get ready, because it’s going to be a wild ride from the jump!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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