UConn Huskies women's basketball facts for kids
Quick facts for kids UConn Huskies women's basketball |
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| University | University of Connecticut | |||
| First season | 1974–75; 51 years ago | |||
| All-time record | 1342–327 (.804) | |||
| Athletic director | David Benedict | |||
| Head coach | Geno Auriemma (41st season) | |||
| Conference | Big East | |||
| Location | Storrs, Connecticut | |||
| Arena | Harry A. Gampel Pavilion (capacity: 10,299) PeoplesBank Arena (Capacity: 15,684) |
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| Nickname | Huskies | |||
| Colors | National Flag Blue and White |
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| Uniforms | ||||
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| NCAA Tournament Champions | ||||
| 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2025 | ||||
| NCAA Tournament Runner-up | ||||
| 2022 | ||||
| NCAA Tournament Final Four | ||||
| 1991, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 | ||||
| NCAA Tournament Elite Eight | ||||
| 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 | ||||
| NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen | ||||
| 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | ||||
| NCAA Tournament Round of 32 | ||||
| 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | ||||
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | ||||
| 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | ||||
| Conference Tournament Champions | ||||
| 1989, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | ||||
| Conference Regular Season Champions | ||||
| 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | ||||
The UConn Huskies women's basketball team is a college basketball program. They play for the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut. The team competes in NCAA Division I women's basketball. They are currently part of the Big East Conference.
The UConn Huskies are known as one of the most successful women's basketball teams. They have won a record 12 NCAA Division I National Championships. This includes an amazing four championships in a row from 2013 to 2016. They have also won over 50 conference championships. The Huskies have played in every NCAA tournament since 1989. From 2008 to 2022, they reached the Final Four a record 14 times in a row.
UConn holds the two longest winning streaks in college basketball history. This includes both men's and women's teams. Their longest streak was 111 wins in a row. It started in November 2014 and ended in March 2017. The second longest streak was 90 wins. This included two perfect seasons in 2008–09 and 2009–10. The Huskies also have the longest winning streak in regular-season games. They won 126 regular-season games in a row from 2014 to 2019.
UConn's head coach is Luigi "Geno" Auriemma. He joined the team in 1985. Coach Auriemma is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball. He has won 1250 games, which is the most by any NCAA coach in any sport. His winning percentage is the highest among NCAA basketball coaches.
The UConn Huskies are also very popular, drawing large crowds to their games. They play their home games at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs. They also play at the PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford.
Contents
- Team History: How UConn Became a Powerhouse
- Early Years (1974–1985)
- Coach Auriemma's Arrival (1985–1991)
- The Rebecca Lobo Era (1991–1995)
- A New Powerhouse (1995–2000)
- The Diana Taurasi Era (2000–2004)
- Rebuilding Years (2004–2007)
- The Maya Moore Era (2007–2011)
- Calm Before the Storm (2011–2012 Season)
- The Breanna Stewart Era (2012–2016)
- A New Record Streak Ends (2016–2020)
- The Paige Bueckers Era (2020–2025)
- Coaches Who Shaped the Huskies
- NCAA Tournament Appearances
- Amazing Players and Awards
- Current Roster
- Team Trophies and Awards
- Records and Achievements
- Images for kids
Team History: How UConn Became a Powerhouse
Early Years (1974–1985)
The UConn Huskies played their first game on December 5, 1974. They won 40–27 against Eastern Connecticut State University. The team had losing records for most of its first 11 seasons. They had only one winning season during this time.
Coach Auriemma's Arrival (1985–1991)
In 1985, UConn hired Geno Auriemma as their new head coach. He aimed to make the team much better. The team quickly started to improve under his guidance. They had winning seasons in 1986–87 and 1987–88.
Auriemma made a big move in 1987 by recruiting Kerry Bascom. She was an All-American player from New Hampshire. Bascom quickly made a huge impact on the team. In 1989, she won the Big East Player of the Year award. She led UConn to its first Big East titles and their first NCAA tournament appearance.
1990–1991: A National Breakthrough
In the 1990–91 season, the Huskies became known across the country. They won the Big East regular season and tournament titles again. They earned their highest NCAA tournament seed yet, a #3 seed. UConn beat Toledo in a close game, with Bascom scoring a record 39 points.
The Huskies then upset North Carolina State and Clemson. This led them to their first-ever Final Four. Their season ended with a close loss to Virginia. This season helped put UConn women's basketball on the national map.
The Rebecca Lobo Era (1991–1995)
After their 1991 Final Four run, UConn gained another star player, Rebecca Lobo. She was an All-American from Southwick, Massachusetts.
In 1993–94, UConn had its best season yet. Led by Lobo, Jamelle Elliott, Jennifer Rizzotti, and Kara Wolters, they won 30 games. They also won the Big East tournament and regular-season titles. UConn earned a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament for the first time. They reached the Elite Eight but lost to North Carolina.
1995 National Championship: An Undefeated Season
With all their main players back and new talent like Nykesha Sales, UConn had an unforgettable 1994–95 season. They started with a huge win over Morgan State. Two weeks later, they beat North Carolina State by 23 points. This season also saw the start of a big rivalry with Tennessee. UConn beat Tennessee 77–66 and became ranked No. 1 for the first time.
UConn went undefeated through the regular season and conference tournament. They easily moved through the NCAA tournament. In the Elite Eight, they had their closest game of the year, winning by 4 points against Virginia. This secured their spot in the Final Four. UConn then beat Stanford to reach the National Championship game against Tennessee.
In the championship game, UConn faced some challenges early on. But they rallied from a 9-point deficit in the second half. A key layup by Rizzotti gave them the lead. UConn won 70–64, claiming their first national title. Rebecca Lobo was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.
With a perfect 35–0 record, UConn became only the fifth women's team to go undefeated. They were also the first unbeaten team in NCAA history to win 35 games. This team helped make women's basketball more popular. They were honored with a parade in Hartford, Connecticut. Rebecca Lobo became a popular symbol for the sport.
Lobo received many awards after graduating in 1995. She won the Naismith College Player of the Year and the Wade Trophy. She was also the first Connecticut player inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
A New Powerhouse (1995–2000)
After their 1995 championship, UConn became a top team in women's college basketball. Coach Auriemma was able to recruit star players like Shea Ralph and Svetlana Abrosimova.
Rivalry with Tennessee Grows
The rivalry between the Tennessee Lady Vols and UConn became very intense. It was one of the biggest rivalries in all women's sports. Coach Auriemma even jokingly called Tennessee the "evil empire."
In 1995–96, UConn ended Tennessee's home winning streak. But Tennessee got revenge in the Final Four, beating UConn in overtime. This game is remembered as one of the most exciting tournament games ever.
The teams continued to play close games. In 1997, Tennessee ended UConn's unbeaten season in the Regional Final. In 1998, a small controversy happened when a Tennessee player said UConn looked scared. Coach Auriemma defended his team.
Nykesha Sales Controversy
Coach Auriemma made a controversial decision in the 1997–98 season. Senior Nykesha Sales got injured and was one point shy of the school scoring record. Auriemma arranged for Sales to score a basket at the start of the next game. Villanova, the opposing team, allowed her to score, then scored a basket themselves. This let Sales break the record.
Many people debated this decision. Auriemma felt bad for putting Sales through it. He defended his choice, saying it was a school record and he had the blessing of the previous record holder.
1998–1999: The "TASSK Force" Arrives
In 1998, Auriemma signed five top-ranked players. These high school All-Americans were Swin Cash, Tamika Williams, Sue Bird, Asjha Jones, and Keirsten Walters. Fans called them the "TASSK Force." This group brought new hope for more championships.
Their first season in 1998–99 had mixed results due to injuries. Sue Bird tore her ACL early in the season. Tennessee beat UConn again that year. The season ended for UConn in the Sweet Sixteen, losing to Iowa State.
2000 National Championship
Motivated by their previous season, UConn aimed for a championship in 1999–2000. Led by Shea Ralph, Kelly Schumacher, Svetlana Abrosimova, and the "TASS Force," UConn had a 27–1 regular season. Their only loss was a one-point defeat to Tennessee.
In the NCAA tournament, the Huskies easily reached their first Final Four since 1996. They beat Penn State in the National Semifinals. Then, they met the Lady Vols again for the championship game. UConn used strong defense to beat Tennessee 71–52. This gave them their second national championship. Connecticut finished the season with a 36–1 record. Shea Ralph was named the Final Four's MVP.
The Diana Taurasi Era (2000–2004)
Coach Auriemma recruited another amazing player, Diana Taurasi. She was an All-American guard from Chino, California. Taurasi was named the 2000 Naismith National High School Player of the Year.
With Taurasi joining the 2000 Championship team, Auriemma expected another title in 2001. However, the season was tougher than expected. UConn won the Big East tournament. But they lost key players Abrosimova and Ralph to injuries. Taurasi had to take on a much bigger role. She led UConn to the Final Four, but they lost to Notre Dame.
2002 National Championship: An Undefeated Season
Like the 2000 champions, UConn returned determined in 2001–02. With the "TASS Force" in their senior year and Taurasi becoming a star, UConn went undefeated. They easily won the Big East regular season and tournament titles.
In the NCAA Tournament, the Huskies were the #1 overall seed. They dominated early rounds to reach their third straight Final Four. In the National Semifinals, UConn beat rival Tennessee by 23 points. In the championship game, UConn defeated Oklahoma 82–70. This completed a perfect 39–0 season. The starting five of Bird, Taurasi, Cash, Jones, and Williams is considered one of the best ever.
2003 National Championship
After the "TASS Force" graduated, Diana Taurasi led the team in her junior season. She had help from Maria Conlon, Jessica Moore, and new talented players. Many thought 2003 would be a rebuilding year. But Taurasi led the young team to another championship.
UConn finished the regular season undefeated. They set a 70-game winning streak. This streak ended with a loss to Villanova in the Big East championship game. In the NCAA Tournament, UConn easily reached the Final Four. They rallied from a 9-point deficit to beat Texas. Then, they defeated rival Tennessee 73–68 to win their fourth national championship. UConn became the first team to win a championship without any seniors.
2004 National Championship
With the whole team back, expectations were high for a "three-peat" in Taurasi's senior year. UConn had an up-and-down season, losing a few games.
The Huskies found their stride in the NCAA Tournament. They were a #2 seed. In the Elite Eight, they beat top-seeded Penn State. This sent them to their fifth straight Final Four. After beating Minnesota, UConn again defeated Tennessee. They won their third consecutive national championship, 70–61.
The 2004 women's championship was special. The UConn men's basketball team also won their title the night before. This was the first time one university won both men's and women's basketball championships in the same season. UConn repeated this amazing feat in 2014.
Diana Taurasi led the team to four Final Fours and three national titles. Coach Auriemma famously said, "We have Diana, and you don't." Taurasi won many awards, including the 2003 and 2004 Naismith College Player of the Year awards. She is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
Rebuilding Years (2004–2007)
After Taurasi graduated in 2004, UConn had a few challenging years. Some new players didn't meet expectations, and others got injured. From 2005 to 2007, UConn did not reach the Final Four. This was unusual for them, as they had been there seven times in the previous ten years.
In 2004–05, UConn lost 8 games. They also failed to win the Big East regular season title. They lost to Stanford in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament.
The 2005–06 season showed some improvement. UConn won the Big East tournament. They almost upset #1 ranked Duke in the regional final, losing in overtime.
In 2006–07, the team got better with new players like Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles. UConn became a national contender again. They were a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament but lost to LSU in the Elite Eight.
The Maya Moore Era (2007–2011)
After three less successful years, UConn became a top championship contender in 2007–08. Star players returned, and #1 ranked high school player Maya Moore joined the Huskies. After Moore committed to UConn, Tennessee canceled their yearly games with UConn. This ended a major rivalry.
Despite injuries to key players, UConn had only one loss in the 2007–08 regular season. They won both Big East titles. They rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat Rutgers. This sent them to their first Final Four since 2004. UConn lost to Stanford in the National Semifinals.
2009 National Championship: An Undefeated Season
UConn was ranked No. 1 in preseason polls for the 2008–09 season. They had many returning players, including Maya Moore, Renee Montgomery, and Tina Charles.
UConn finished the regular season undefeated for the fifth time. They won their 17th Big East Regular Season title and 15th Big East tournament title. The Huskies reached their 10th Final Four. They beat Stanford to reach the NCAA Championship Game. In the final, UConn defeated Louisville 76–54. They finished with a perfect 39–0 record and their sixth national title. Every victory was by at least 10 points.
2010 National Championship: Another Undefeated Season
For the second year in a row, UConn finished their regular season undefeated. This was the sixth time in school history. They won by an average of 35.9 points. They also dominated the Big East tournament.
Leading up to the Final Four, UConn easily beat their opponents. Maya Moore and Tina Charles played less than half of many games. In the Final Four, Baylor challenged UConn. Baylor cut UConn's lead to three points, but UConn pulled away to win 70–50.
The national championship game against Stanford was very close. UConn had their worst first half in school history, scoring only 12 points. But Maya Moore led a scoring run in the second half. UConn won 53–47. This was their only win by less than 10 points during their 78-game winning streak. Moore was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Charles was chosen first in the WNBA draft.
2010–2011: New Record, But No Championship
The 2010–11 season started with high hopes. Maya Moore returned for her senior year. UConn won 88 straight games, then 89, setting a new college basketball record. They stretched the streak to 90 games. However, the streak ended on December 30, 2010, with a loss to Stanford. This was their first loss since 2008.
UConn recovered and finished the rest of the regular season undefeated. They regained the #1 ranking. They also won the Big East tournament. In the NCAA tournament Final Four, UConn met Notre Dame for the fourth time. Notre Dame won 72–63, ending UConn's chance for a third straight national championship.
Maya Moore had an amazing season. She won many individual awards, including her second Naismith College Player of the Year award. She is the only player in history to win the Wade Trophy three times. Moore finished her college career with 3036 points, the most by any Husky. She is also the only women's player in Division I history with 2500 points, 1000 rebounds, 500 assists, 250 steals, and 150 blocks.
Maya Moore was also an excellent student. She graduated with a 3.7 GPA. She was the first player to be named Academic All-America of the Year twice. After graduating, she was the first pick in the 2011 WNBA draft.
Calm Before the Storm (2011–2012 Season)
The 2011–12 season was a new era after Maya Moore graduated. New players like Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Brianna Banks, and Kiah Stokes joined the team. Key returning players included Stefanie Dolson, Bria Hartley, Kelly Faris, and Tiffany Hayes.
UConn was still a strong team but not seen as the top favorite. Rivals included Notre Dame and Baylor. Baylor, led by Brittney Griner, beat UConn in December. Notre Dame beat the Huskies twice in the regular season. But UConn won the Big East tournament championship against Notre Dame. This win was Coach Auriemma's 800th career victory. Notre Dame got revenge in the NCAA Tournament Final Four, winning in overtime. UConn finished the season with a 33–5 record.
The Breanna Stewart Era (2012–2016)
2013 National Championship
The 2012–13 season started with high hopes. UConn added top recruits like Breanna Stewart, Morgan Tuck, and Moriah Jefferson. Their play was a bit uneven during the regular season, with losses to Baylor and Notre Dame. UConn lost to Notre Dame again in the Big East tournament.
However, in the NCAA tournament, Stewart, Mosqueda-Lewis, Dolson, and Faris played much better. UConn easily reached the Final Four. They beat #1 seed Notre Dame in the National Semifinals. Two days later, the Huskies won 93–60 over Louisville in the championship game. This gave them a record-tying eighth national championship. UConn finished the season with a 35–4 record.
The end of the 2012–13 season saw the Big East Conference split. UConn joined the new American Athletic Conference (AAC). This ended the regular UConn–Notre Dame rivalry games.
2014 National Championship: An Undefeated Season
Breanna Stewart became the main leader of the 2013–14 UConn team. She led the team in points and blocks. The Huskies beat every opponent by at least 10 points. They won the AAC tournament easily.
UConn was the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. They reached their seventh straight Final Four. In the National Semifinals, they beat Stanford. In the championship game, they met unbeaten Notre Dame. UConn defeated Notre Dame 79–58. They finished the season 40–0, tying the record for most wins in a season. This was their ninth national championship, passing Tennessee.
Breanna Stewart was named the AP Player of the Year. This was only the third time a sophomore won this award. The UConn men's team also won their championship in 2014. This made UConn the only school to win both men's and women's basketball titles in the same year, and they did it twice (first in 2004).
2015 National Championship
The 2014–15 season started with an overtime loss to Stanford. This ended UConn's 47-game winning streak. But led by Stewart, Jefferson, and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, UConn quickly recovered. They won every remaining regular season game. This included wins over Notre Dame and South Carolina. The loss to Stanford was their last until the 2017 Final Four. This started a record 111-game winning streak for UConn.
In the NCAA Tournament, UConn and Notre Dame were both #1 seeds. Both reached the Final Four. Connecticut easily defeated Maryland. The two teams met in the national championship game for the second year in a row. UConn won 63–53. This was their third straight national championship and tenth overall. Coach Auriemma tied a record set by John Wooden. UConn finished the season with a 38–1 record.
2016 National Championship: An Undefeated Season
In 2015, UConn added another top recruit, Katie Lou Samuelson. She joined sophomore Kia Nurse and seniors Stewart, Jefferson, and Tuck in the starting lineup. The team was unstoppable, winning every game by a large margin. They easily won their conference titles.
While other top seeds were upset, UConn easily reached the Final Four. They defeated Oregon State in the National Semifinals. In the championship game, the Huskies beat Syracuse 82–51. This completed their sixth undefeated season (38–0). They also won their 11th overall championship and fourth in a row. Geno Auriemma became the only coach in college basketball history to win 11 titles.
Senior Breanna Stewart was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player a record four times in a row. She also won many individual awards. Stewart finished with 2,676 points, second most for a Husky. She was also the #1 pick in the 2016 WNBA draft. Moriah Jefferson set a program record with 659 assists. The trio of Stewart, Jefferson, and Tuck ended their college careers with 151 wins and only 5 losses. They are the only four-time winners in college basketball history. With their 11th championship in 2016, UConn tied the UCLA men's team for most college basketball championships. They also became the first Division I women's team to win four straight national championships.
A New Record Streak Ends (2016–2020)
2016–2017: Shocking Final Four Loss
After losing Stewart, Jefferson, and Tuck, many thought UConn would have a weaker season. The team was ranked third. Coach Auriemma scheduled tough non-conference games to test his young team. The team quickly found its rhythm. They beat top-ranked teams like Baylor, Notre Dame, and Maryland. Sophomore Katie Lou Samuelson and juniors Napheesa Collier and Gabby Williams became national stars.
UConn tied its own 90-win record in January 2017. They reached 100 straight wins in February. After easy wins in their conference, UConn entered the NCAA tournament undefeated. However, their season ended unexpectedly. Mississippi State's Morgan William hit a last-second shot in overtime. Mississippi State won 66–64 in the NCAA Final Four. This shocking loss ended UConn's winning streak at 111 games. This is an all-time record for any college team sport.
2017–2018: Another Final Four Heartbreak
UConn started the 2017–18 season with high energy. They added a talented group of new players, including future All-American Megan Walker. On December 19, 2017, Coach Geno Auriemma earned his 1000th victory. He was the fastest women's coach to reach this milestone. UConn finished the regular season undefeated in conference play. They won the AAC tournament title again.
As the overall #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, the Huskies won their early games. They defeated Duke and South Carolina to reach their 19th Final Four. In the National Semifinals, UConn lost in overtime on a last-second shot for the second year in a row. This time, they lost to Notre Dame. Notre Dame went on to win the national championship. UConn finished the season with a 36–1 record.
2018–2019: Final Four Rematch
UConn started the 2018–19 season with another talented group of new players. However, they lost Gabby Williams and Kia Nurse to the WNBA. The team started with an 11–0 run, including a big win over #1 Notre Dame. UConn was ranked #1 for five weeks. Their first regular-season loss since 2012–13 came against Baylor in January 2019. This loss ended UConn's 126-game winning streak in regular season games. This is a record in college sports.
UConn finished their regular season undefeated in conference play again. They won the AAC tournament title for the sixth straight year. As a #2 seed in the NCAA tournament, UConn reached their 20th Final Four. In the National Semifinals, they lost to Notre Dame again, 81–76. UConn finished the season with a 35–3 record.
2019–2020: NCAA Tournament Canceled
Despite losing two star players, UConn started the 2019–20 season with a 12–0 run. They reached #1 in the polls. They had a few losses during the regular season. UConn finished with a 26–3 record. They went undefeated in conference play and won the AAC tournament for the seventh year in a row. UConn received an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. However, the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team finished the season ranked #5.
This was UConn's last year in the American Athletic Conference. They rejoined the Big East Conference in July 2020. UConn completely dominated women's basketball during their time in the AAC. They went undefeated in all seven regular seasons and won every conference tournament.
The Paige Bueckers Era (2020–2025)
2020–2021: Return to the Big East
The Huskies had high hopes for the 2020–2021 season. They added two talented new players, Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards. This season also marked their return to the Big East Conference. UConn was ranked #3 in preseason polls. They had a 21–1 regular season record, including an undefeated conference record. Their only loss was to Arkansas. UConn had a notable win over #1 South Carolina in overtime. They easily won the Big East tournament.
As a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, the Huskies won their region. They had a close victory over Baylor in the Elite Eight. UConn then lost to Arizona in the Final Four, finishing with a 28–2 record. This was their fourth straight tournament loss in the National Semifinals. Bueckers won several awards, including the Naismith College Player of the Year award. The season was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many games canceled and no fans allowed.
2021–2022: First National Title Game in Six Years
UConn started the 2021–22 season ranked #2. They returned many key players, including Paige Bueckers, and added top recruit Azzi Fudd. Injuries affected the team throughout the season. Bueckers missed most of the season due to a knee injury.
With Bueckers out, UConn's offense struggled at times. They lost to a few unranked teams. Coach Auriemma focused the team on defense. By the time Bueckers returned, the Huskies were playing very well. They won the Big East regular season and tournament championships. UConn was a #2 seed in the NCAA tournament. They reached the Final Four for a record 14th year in a row. They then beat Stanford to reach the National Championship Game for the first time since 2016. However, they lost to #1 South Carolina, 64–49. This was UConn's first loss ever in a national title game. They finished with a 30–6 record.
2022–2023: Final Four Streak Ends
UConn started the 2022–23 season with many returning starters. They were expected to be very competitive. However, injuries hit the team hard before the season even began. Bueckers tore her ACL and missed the entire season. Other players also suffered injuries.
Even with a short roster, UConn played surprisingly well early on. They had strong wins against #3 Texas and #10 NC State. More injuries occurred, leaving the Huskies with only seven healthy players at one point. Despite this, they continued to win most conference games. In February, they lost to #1 South Carolina. Three days later, they lost to Marquette, their first consecutive losses in 30 years.
UConn finished their regular season with a 26–5 record. They won the Big East regular season championship. Key injured players returned for the Big East tournament. UConn won the tournament, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. As a #2 seed, they reached the Sweet Sixteen. However, they lost to Ohio State, 73–61. This was the first time UConn failed to make the Final Four since 2007. They finished the season with a 31–6 record.
2023–2024: Return to the Final Four
UConn started the 2023–24 season ranked #2. But they lost three early games and several key players to injury. For most of the season, UConn relied on a starting lineup of Aliyah Edwards, Paige Bueckers, Nika Mühl, and freshmen KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade. Despite a short bench, UConn went undefeated in Big East play. They won the conference regular season title. Bueckers was named the Big East Player of the Year.
UConn entered the Big East tournament on a winning streak. More injuries occurred, leaving them with only seven players. Still, UConn won the tournament, their 11th straight conference title. Bueckers and Edwards were named All-Americans.
UConn was a #3 seed in the NCAA tournament. With Edwards back, they won their first few games. They beat USC in the Elite Eight to reach their 23rd Final Four. Coach Auriemma called this their most surprising Final Four run since 1991. The team then narrowly lost to #1 Iowa in the National Semifinals, 71–69. UConn finished the season with a 33–6 record. Edwards and Mühl were selected in the 2024 WNBA draft. Mühl finished as UConn's all-time assists leader.
2025 National Championship
UConn started the 2024–25 season ranked #2. They returned Paige Bueckers and other players who had been injured. They also added top recruit Sarah Strong and transfer Kaitlyn Chen.
An early win gave Coach Geno Auriemma his 1217th career victory. This made him the winningest head coach in NCAA history. UConn's main starting lineup included Bueckers, Chen, Strong, and Azzi Fudd, who returned from injury. They won several non-conference games against ranked opponents. However, they lost to Notre Dame and USC in December.
UConn had an 11-game winning streak. They lost to Tennessee in February. Ten days later, UConn defeated #4 South Carolina, the defending national champion. This caused them to rise to #3 in the polls. The Huskies finished their regular season with a 28–3 record. They went undefeated in Big East play for the second year in a row. UConn then won the Big East tournament. Bueckers and Strong were named All-Americans. The media called Bueckers, Strong, and Fudd UConn's "big three."
Going into the NCAA tournament, UConn was a #2 seed. They won their first few games easily. They beat Oklahoma and USC to reach their 24th Final Four. Bueckers, who had declared for the 2025 WNBA draft, scored over 30 points in three straight games. In the National Semifinals, UConn surprised #1 UCLA with a big win. They advanced to their first national championship game since 2022. In the final, the Huskies got revenge on #1 South Carolina with a dominant 82–59 victory. This gave them their record 12th national title. Azzi Fudd was named the tournament's most outstanding player. This was UConn's first title since 2016. They won it with an average margin of 32.8 points per tournament game.
UConn finished their season with a 37–3 record. They ended with a 16-game winning streak. All 37 of their victories were by double digits. Sarah Strong led the team in rebounds. Bueckers led the team in points and assists. She finished her UConn career with the third-most points in program history.
Coaches Who Shaped the Huskies
Sandra Hamm (1974–1975)
Sandra Hamm was the first coach for the UConn Huskies women's team. She coached part-time in the 1974–75 season. The team had a 2–8 record that year.
Wanda Flora (1975–1980)
Wanda Flora became coach in 1975. She led the team for five seasons, with a record of 38–66. During her time, Karen Mullins became the first UConn woman to get a basketball scholarship.
Jean Balthaser (1980–1985)
Jean Balthaser took over as coach in 1980. She helped the program grow. In her first year, UConn had its first winning season. She finished with a 52–88 record over five seasons.
Geno Auriemma (1985–Present)
Luigi "Geno" Auriemma has been the head coach for 40 years. He has completely changed the UConn women's basketball program. When he started, the team had only one winning season ever. Under his leadership, UConn became the winningest team in women's college basketball. Many consider him one of the best coaches of all time.
Auriemma has won more than 25 national Coach of the Year awards. He is in both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. He also coached the United States women's national basketball team from 2009 to 2016. During that time, Team USA won two World Cups and two Olympic gold medals.
NCAA Tournament Appearances
The Huskies have played in the NCAA tournament 36 times. They have been in every tournament since 1989. Their combined record is 131 wins and 24 losses. They have reached the Final Four 24 times. UConn has won 12 National Championships (1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2025).
Amazing Players and Awards
Individual Achievements
UConn has had many star players. Many have won major individual awards in women's college basketball.
| Player | Honda Sports Award |
Wade Trophy | Naismith Player of the Year |
USBWA Player of the Year |
AP College Player of the Year |
Wooden Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Lobo | 1995 | 1995 | 1995 | 1995 | 1995 | |
| Jennifer Rizzotti | 1996 | 1996 | 1996 | |||
| Kara Wolters | 1997 | |||||
| Shea Ralph | 2000 | |||||
| Sue Bird | 2002 | 2002 | 2002 | 2002 | 2002 | |
| Diana Taurasi | 2003 2004 |
2003 | 2003 2004 |
2003 | 2003 | |
| Renee Montgomery | 2009 | |||||
| Tina Charles | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | ||
| Maya Moore | 2010 2011 |
2009 2010 2011 |
2009 2011 |
2009 2011 |
2009 2011 |
2009 2011 |
| Breanna Stewart | 2014 2015 2016 |
2015 2016 |
2014 2015 2016 |
2014 2015 2016 |
2014 2015 2016 |
2015 2016 |
| Paige Bueckers | 2025 | 2025 | 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | 2021 |
Eight UConn players have won the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award. These include Rebecca Lobo (1995), Shea Ralph (2000), Swin Cash (2002), Diana Taurasi (2003 and 2004), Tina Charles (2009), Maya Moore (2010), Breanna Stewart (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016), and Azzi Fudd (2025).
School Records
Here are some of the top scorers in UConn women's basketball history.
| Rk | Player | Points | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maya Moore | 3,036 | 2007–08 to 2010–11 |
| 2 | Breanna Stewart | 2,676 | 2012–13 to 2015–16 |
| 3 | Paige Bueckers | 2,439 | 2020–21, 2021–22, 2023–24, 2024–25 |
| 4 | Napheesa Collier | 2,401 | 2015–16 to 2018–19 |
| 5 | Tina Charles | 2,346 | 2006–07 to 2009–10 |
| 6 | Katie Lou Samuelson | 2,342 | 2015–16 to 2018–19 |
| 7 | Nykesha Sales | 2,178 | 1994–95 to 1997–98 |
| Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis | 2,178 | 2011–12 to 2014–15 | |
| 9 | Kerry Bascom | 2,177 | 1987–88 to 1990–91 |
| 10 | Diana Taurasi | 2,156 | 2000–01 to 2003–04 |
| 11 | Kara Wolters | 2,141 | 1993–94 to 1996–97 |
| 12 | Rebecca Lobo | 2,133 | 1991–92 to 1994–95 |
Huskies of Honor
The Huskies of Honor program celebrates important people in UConn history. Plaques in Gampel Pavilion honor these inductees.
Many women's basketball players are on this list. They include guards Sue Bird, Paige Bueckers, Bria Hartley, Moriah Jefferson, Renee Montgomery, Shea Ralph, Jennifer Rizzotti, Nykesha Sales, and Diana Taurasi. Forwards include Svetlana Abrosimova, Swin Cash, Napheesa Collier, Maya Moore, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Katie Lou Samuelson, Breanna Stewart, Morgan Tuck, and Gabby Williams. Centers are Kerry Bascom, Tina Charles, Stefanie Dolson, Rebecca Lobo, and Kara Wolters.
Retired Numbers
On December 7, 2018, UConn announced that Rebecca Lobo's #50 jersey would be retired. This means no other player on the women's team will wear that number. This honor is now for players inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Swin Cash's #32 jersey was also retired on November 14, 2022, as she was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
WNBA Success
Many UConn players have been chosen in the first round of the WNBA draft. Six of them were the very first pick overall: Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2004), Tina Charles (2010), Maya Moore (2011), Breanna Stewart (2016), and Paige Bueckers (2025).
In the 2002 WNBA draft, four UConn players known as the "TASS Force" were all picked in the first round. They all made an immediate impact in the WNBA.
In the 2016 WNBA draft, UConn had an even more amazing achievement. The three senior players, Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson, and Morgan Tuck, were the first three picks. This was the first time this happened in any major sports draft.
Current Roster
| 2025–26 UConn Huskies women's basketball team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team Trophies and Awards
- 12 NCAA Tournament Championships (1995, 2000, 2002–2004, 2009–2010, 2013–2016, 2025)
- 30 Conference Tournament Championships: 23 Big East Conference (1989, 1991, 1994–2002, 2005, 2006, 2008–2012, 2021–2025) and 7 American Athletic Conference (2014–2020)
- 31 Conference Regular Season Championships: 24 Big East Conference (1989–1991, 1994–2004, 2007–2011, 2021–2025) and 7 American Athletic Conference (2014–2020)
Team of the Decade 2000–2009 In 2010, Sports Illustrated named the top 25 sports teams of the 2000s. This included major professional and college sports. The UConn women's basketball team was ranked #3 overall. They were behind only the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) and the New England Patriots (NFL). This made them the highest-ranked college team. During this time, UConn won five national titles. They also reached the Final Four seven times. Two of their seasons (2001–02 and 2008–09) were perfect, with 39–0 records.
Records and Achievements
Overall Team Records
- Most NCAA Championships, any Division, men's or women's (12)
- Most NCAA Division I Final Fours, men's or women's (24)
- Most NCAA Division I Elite Eights, women's (28)
- Most NCAA Division I tournament #1 seeds, men's or women's (22)
- Most NCAA Division I undefeated seasons, men's or women's (6)
- Most NCAA Division I 30-win seasons, men's or women's (27)
- Most NCAA Division I weeks ranked No. 1 in AP National poll, women's (250)
Winning Streaks
Active streaks are in bold
- Most consecutive NCAA Championships, any Division, women's (4, 2013–2016)
- Most consecutive NCAA Division I Final Fours, men's or women's (14, 2008–2023)
- Most consecutive NCAA Division I Elite Eights, men's or women's (16, 2006–2023)
- Most consecutive NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen, men's or women's (31, 1994–)
- Most consecutive NCAA Division I tournament wins, women's (28, 2013–2017)
- Most consecutive NCAA wins, any Division, men's or women's (111, 2014–2017)
- Most consecutive NCAA Division I regular-season wins, men's or women's (126, 2014–2019)
- Most consecutive NCAA Division I home court wins, women's (99, 2007–2012)
- Most consecutive NCAA Division I road wins, men's or women's (62, 2014–2019)
- Most consecutive NCAA Division I 30-win seasons, men's or women's (14, 2006–2019)
- Most consecutive NCAA Division I weeks ranked in AP National Top 25 poll, women's (606, 1993–)
Images for kids
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1995 Championship trophy, ring, and signed ball
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Diana Taurasi with her Naismith Award in 2004
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The 2008–09 UConn Huskies at the White House with President Barack Obama
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2010 NCAA National Champions Connecticut Huskies at the White House
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The 2013 UConn Women's Basketball team with President Obama at the White House
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The UConn men's and women's national championship teams at the White House in 2014
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The 2004 Championship trophy, ring, and signed ball
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Rebecca Lobo
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Rebecca Lobo's #50 jersey retired at UConn
