The Huskies and Pirates have a matchup set at the Coretta Scott King Classic in Newark in January.
The UConn Huskies women’s basketball schedule got an update Thursday, one that has a nod to history in a Big East conference clash.
The Huskies' second game against Seton Hall this season, a home game on the Big East schedule for the Pirates, will be played Jan. 18 as part of the Coretta Scott King Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. That is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the event highlights women’s college basketball and the ability of sports to empower while also paying tribute to his wife, Mrs. King.
Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., also hosted the Never Forget Tribute Classic men's college basketball game between Arkansas and Houston in Newark, N.J., in 2025. John Jones-Imagn ImagesThe Kings were married from 1953 until his death in 1968. Mrs. King passed away in 2006 at age 78.
The game between UConn and Seton Hall is the event's second game of the day, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET. Defending national champion UCLA will meet Oklahoma at noon.
"We're grateful to participate in the Coretta Scott King Classic," UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said. "This year's classic brings two great games to fans while celebrating the legacy of Coretta Scott King and her family. I think it'll be a great day of basketball and reflection, and it's an honor to be able to compete in this event."
Big East dominance
Coincidentally, Seton Hall also is the first Big East opponent for UConn this season, too. The Huskies ran the table of the Big East last season, going undefeated and dominating the statistics.
Last season, the Huskies defeated the Pirates 84-48 on Jan. 3 and 92-52 on Jan. 24,
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma talks with guard Kayleigh Heckel (9) and guard Kelis Fisher (7) from the sideline as they take on Seton Hall at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford on Jan. 3, 2025. David Butler II-Imagn ImagesThe Huskies led conference play in these categories in 2025-26:
Wins: 20
Scoring offense: 89.05 points per game
Scoring defense: 47.55 points
Scoring margin: 41.5 points
Field goal percentage: 53.6%
Field goal percentage defense: 32.4%
3-point field goal percentage offense: 40.6%
3-point field goal percentage defense: 26.8%
3-point field goals: 9.75 per game
Rebounding margin: +4.25
Blocked shots: 4.70
Assists: 24.45
Steals: 17.05
Turnover margin: +13.65
Assist-turnover ratio: 1.83
Big East play in 2026-27
UConn has three preseason games – against Syracuse, Texas and Army – before opening the regular season against Cornell on Nov. 2 at PeoplesBank Arena. Their nonconference schedule is daunting – Michigan, Louisville, South Carolina, Notre Dame and Duke included – but the long, 20-game conference season is tough, too.
Creighton will be the first Big East visuitor to Gampel Pavilion for the UConn women in the upcoming season. David Butler II-Imagn ImagesHere’s the Big East schedule for the upcoming season. For home games, PBA means the game will be played at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Conn. GP represents Gampel Pavilion on the UConn campus in Storrs.
Nov. 20: Seton Hall, PBA
Dec. 16: Creighton, GP
Dec. 23: at Villanova
Dec. 31: at Xavier
Jan. 3: at DePaul
Jan. 7: Georgetown, PBA
Jan. 10: at Creighton
Jan. 13: Marquette, PBA
Jan. 18: at Seton Hall (Newark, N.J.)
Jan. 24: at St. John’s
Jan. 28: DePaul, GP
Jan. 31: Providence, PBA
Feb. 4: at Butler
Feb. 7: at Marquette
Feb. 10: Villanova, GP
Feb. 13: Xavier, GP
Feb. 18: at Georgetown
Feb. 21: St. John’s, PBA
Feb. 25: at Providence
Feb. 28: Butler, GP
