UConn basketball schedule 2024-25: Baylor, Gonzaga amongst Huskies’ high nonconference video games

UConn begins its pursuit of a 3rd consecutive NCAA Match championship when it opens the 2024-25 season on Nov. 6 at house in opposition to Sacred Coronary heart. The Huskies face New Hampshire, Le Moyne, and Texas A&M-Commerce earlier than heading to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational. The Huskies will open that match in opposition to Memphis and, if the celebrities align, may face Michigan State within the following spherical.

The Maui Invitational is not the one marquee nonconference recreation the two-time reigning nationwide champions can be a part of. Maybe essentially the most intriguing recreation on the slate is a matchup in opposition to Baylor at house in early December. That recreation is a part of the Huge 12-Huge East Problem and is arguably the most effective recreation within the collection.

One other high nonconference recreation is UConn’s matchup with Gonzaga at Madison Sq. Backyard. This may mark the fifth all-time assembly between the completed applications. UConn defeated Gonzaga 76-63 final season in Seattle.

Regardless of dropping Stephon Citadel, Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer to the NBA, UConn returns potential All-American candidate Alex Karaban. The Huskies added extremely touted recruits Ahmad Nowell and Liam McNeeley and former Saint Mary’s star Aidan Mahaney through the switch portal.

Listed here are the highest 5 UConn nonconference video games to observe this season.

1. Baylor

When: Dec. 4, 2024 The place: Dwelling

One of the best nonconference recreation on UConn’s schedule is a house recreation in opposition to Baylor. The Bears loaded up within the switch portal by touchdown former Duke star guard Jeremy Roach and Miami massive man Norchad Omier to pair with returning guard Langston Love. 

Baylor additionally has three top-100 recruits from the 2024 recruiting cycle coming to campus: V.J. Edgecombe, Rob Wright, and Jason Asemota. Edgecombe initiatives as a possible top-5 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft.

2. vs. Gonzaga

When: Dec. 14, 2024 The place: Madison Sq. Backyard (New York)

Gonzaga has the posh of returning most of its beginning manufacturing from a workforce that reached the Candy 16 and will provide UConn a worthwhile check forward of Huge East play. Gonzaga returns Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Ben Gregg, and Ike. The Bulldogs additionally added Pepperdine switch Michael Ajayi, who averaged 17.2 factors and 9.9 rebounds final season.

This can be a rematch of the 2023 Elite Eight in Las Vegas and the fifth all-time assembly between the applications.

3. vs. Memphis (Maui Invitational)

When: Nov. 25-27, 2024 The place: Lahaina Civic Middle (Maui, Hawaii)

It is by no means a boring offseason at Memphis beneath Penny Hardaway. The College of Memphis acknowledged to Sports activities Illustrated earlier this month that it has handed over a letter to the NCAA from an nameless creator that alleges a number of guidelines violations throughout the males’s basketball program.

On the court docket, Memphis ought to have a proficient squad. The Tigers added Ole Miss massive man Moussa Cisse, Texas guard Tyrese Hunter and Tulsa star PJ Haggerty through the switch portal. This recreation ought to be an entertaining opener in Hawaii.

4. at Texas

When: Dec. 8, 2024 The place: Moody Middle (Austin, Texas)

UConn’s lone true street recreation in nonconference play will come in opposition to Texas in Austin. This matchup is a part of a brutal three-game stretch that features video games in opposition to Baylor and Gonzaga sprinkled in between.

The Longhorns added former Oregon State star Jordan Pope, Arkansas guard Tramon Mark and Kansas State massive man Arthur Kaluma through the switch portal. Texas additionally brings in five-star SG Tre Johnson, who initiatives as a lottery decide within the 2025 NBA Draft.

5. vs. Colorado/Michigan State (Maui Invitational)

When: Nov. 25-27, 2024 The place: Lahaina Civic Middle (Maui, Hawaii)

UConn will play Colorado or Michigan State within the subsequent spherical of the Maui Invitational. If UConn wins its first recreation and advances to the winners bracket, a gathering with the Spartans with the proper to advance to the Maui Invitational title recreation could possibly be on the desk.

 Tyson Walker, Malik Corridor and A.J. Hoggard — MSU’s high three scorers from final season — are gone, however this system returns veteran guard Jaden Akins. Xavier Booker, Jeremy Fears and Coen Carr — three members of Michigan State’s star-studded 2023 recruiting class — are anticipated to see their respective roles enhance. 

UConn’s 2024-25 nonconference schedule