After clinching their 12th national title in 2025, the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team is gearing up for the 2025–26 season with renewed vigor. Despite the departure of star guard Paige Bueckers to the WNBA, the Huskies retain a formidable roster poised to defend their championship.
UConn’s Championship Core: Fudd and Strong Leading the Charge
With Bueckers moving on, the spotlight shifts to senior guard Azzi Fudd and sophomore forward Sarah Strong. Fudd, returning for her final season, brings experience and sharpshooting prowess. She averaged 13.6 points per game and earned the Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors in 2025.
Strong, the Big East Freshman of the Year, showcased her versatility with averages of 16.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Complementing the duo are juniors KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade, both of whom have demonstrated significant growth. Arnold’s playmaking and Shade’s perimeter shooting add depth to the backcourt, while sophomore center Jana El Alfy provides a strong presence in the paint.
The Huskies’ roster is further bolstered by incoming talent, including guard Kelis Fisher and international recruit Blanca Quiñonez, adding depth and versatility to the lineup.
Navigating a Competitive Landscape: UConn’s Path to Repeating
UConn faces stiff competition in its quest for consecutive championships. South Carolina, reloading with top scorer Ta’Niya Latson, and UCLA, returning key players like Lauren Betts, are formidable contenders. Despite these challenges, UConn’s cohesive unit and championship experience position them favorably.
The Huskies’ 2024–25 season was marked by dominance. They finished with a 37–3 record and led the nation in offensive rating at 117.8. Their ability to maintain such efficiency will be crucial in the upcoming season.
Early projections place UConn among the top contenders, with ESPN ranking them No. 3 in the “Way-Too-Early Top 25” for 2025–26. Their blend of seasoned leadership and emerging talent makes them a team to watch.
UConn’s season-opening game against Louisville in the Armed Forces Classic at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on November 4 will be the start of the Huskies’ 2025–26 campaign. The opening of the international season gives UConn the chance to face a new team abroad and display its new roster globally, while also providing a major stumbling block.
They hope to work with the new athletes and build the team’s chemistry through these initial matches, which will determine the season’s progress from now on.
Even though they have to go round the houses in order to repeat as national winners, the bodies of the UConn team are the mixture of well-trained players, talents, and the same-old proved coaching staff, the ones who have all that is necessary for them to go on and replicate the success of the past and win the tournament again.
KEEP READING: With 157M Impressions, UConn Women’s Basketball Dominates
Should Fudd and Strong be the backbone of the team and the team’s offensive power remain the same, the Huskies would be the firm favorites for the title in the 2025–26 season.
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