Once again, the UConn men’s basketball schedule is littered with great games.
From blue bloods visiting Connecticut to Final Four and national championship rematches, games in Boston, New York, Chicago and Las Vegas before even getting into the conference slate, UConn figures to be one of the most-watched teams in the country as it works toward a potential fifth trip to the sport’s biggest stage in six years.
The Huskies, projected to compete at the top of the sport again in Year Nine under coach Dan Hurley, will play seven games against teams included on ESPN’s latest “way-too-early” top 25 rankings, and a few others that could very well break into the actual AP Top 25 in 2026-27.
We ranked the 10 biggest and most consequential games of the year:
10. Dec. 20 vs. Virginia (MSG)
UConn will only play one nonconference game at Madison Square Garden this season, so it had to make the list. It helps that Virginia seems to be trending upward after winning 30 games in Year One under coach Ryan Odom. The Cavaliers have four potential starters returning from last year’s team, which led the program past the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
UConn’s Silas Demary Jr., right, battle for the ball with Illinois’ Andrej Stojakovic, left, and Ben Humrichous during the second half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
9. Dec. 4 vs. Illinois (Chicago)
Brad Underwood’s probably had enough of UConn by now. This will be the fourth meeting between the programs in as many years – two in the regular season, two more in the Tournament – and as good as his Illini have been, Hurley and the Huskies have had their number. Now meeting in Chicago, Underwood’s team should be well-supported for what will likely be a top 10 rematch of the most recent Final Four.
8. Feb. 20 at Marquette
Even when Marquette isn’t good, like last season, UConn fans are well aware of what Shaka Smart’s team is capable of. The Huskies blew their chance at a share of the Big East regular season title as they closed in Milwaukee, against a Golden Eagles’ team that only won 12 games. Smart had the best retention rate in the conference, including returning Big East Freshman of the Year, Nigel James Jr., and dipped into the portal to solidify a better roster.
7. Nov. 18 at Arizona
UConn will play each of the other Final Four teams from last year and, of course, all of them made this list. While they didn’t meet on the raised stage in Indianapolis, the Wildcats served up UConn’s only loss in the nonconference last season as Braylon Mullins and Tarris Reed Jr. sat out injured. This will be one of several tests for the Huskies’ new-look front court as Najai Hines matches up with Motiejus Krivas.
6. Jan. 20 at Providence
Bryan Hodgson made waves shortly after accepting the Providence job when he dipped into the pros to add Dink Pate, a player who’s spent the last three years in the G League. Whether Pate plays or not, the approach by the new coach is one that will ignite a fan base in Providence that is always on top of its game when UConn is in town and Hurley is on the sideline. Can last year’s dramatic comeback and Huskies’ overtime victory be topped?
5. Feb. 14 at Villanova
It is Valentines Day. It is Super Bowl Sunday. It is UConn vs. Villanova, Dan Hurley vs. Kevin Willard, in Philadelphia. It should be a national holiday. Nonetheless, this matchup of two programs that have won four national championships in the last decade will kick off one of the biggest sports days of the year. Willard, in Year Two, built a roster that can lead the Wildcats back into the upper echelon of the sport; the most notable addition being 7-foot-3 Italian center Luigi Suigo, who could be the top international prospect in the next NBA Draft.
UConn freshman Braylon Mullins (24) had his anticipated breakout vs. Kansas on Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
4. Dec. 12 vs. Kansas
Expected to take place at Gampel Pavilion, it would be one of the most anticipated games ever to take place at the Huskies’ on-campus arena. It may not be the best team Hall of Fame coach Bill Self has ever had, but the Jayhawks again figure to have one of the best freshmen in the nation in top recruit Tyran Stokes, a 6-foot-7 playmaker who fits in anywhere one through four. This will be the third meeting between the blue-blood programs since Hurley took the UConn job, and both of the previous matchups were thrillers decided by five points or less at Phog Allen Fieldhouse.
3. March 2 vs. St. John’s
Either of the St. John’s games could be here, particularly with the Madison Square Garden meeting scheduled for a Friday night in late January. But we settled for the return game in Connecticut as it will serve as a consequential penultimate game of the season with both teams likely to be fighting for position near the top of the Big East standings. The Johnnies have won back-to-back dual championships in the league under coach Rick Pitino, who brought in the No. 1 portal class in the country, according to 247Sports.
The majority of the Big East teams have added significant new faces for the 2026-27 season, but as usual, UConn’s Dan Hurley, left, and St. John’s Rick Pitino lead the way in drawing talent. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
2. Nov. 6 vs. Michigan (Boston)
Some luster has been lost with Dusty May going to the Dallas Mavericks, three Wolverines being first-round NBA Draft picks and star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. tearing his ACL, but this national championship rematch at TD Garden will still be the most anticipated game in the first week of the season. With Mike Boynton stepping in as head coach, Michigan will still be formidable as guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney return.
1. Nov. 24 vs. Duke (Las Vegas)
UConn played two more games on the biggest stage of the sport after coming back from down 19 points to beat Duke, but that one, and “The Shot” that ended it, is still the most memorable game from the 2025-26 season. The Blue Devils, returning point guard Cayden Boozer and again loaded with superstars and future pros, have their chance at revenge as the two blue-bloods meet for just the second time since 2014 on Thanksgiving Eve. It will also be a reunion for Nik Khamenia, the former top-15 prospect who opted to leave Jon Scheyer for Dan Hurley soon after the transfer portal opened.
Honorable mentions: March 6 at Xavier, Feb. 7 vs. Creighton. Richard Pitino had more to work with when he went talent shopping in the transfer portal this offseason, and should have the Musketeers far more competitive in his second year at the helm. Greg McDermott retired, but Creighton had Alan Huss waiting to take over the program and saw a number of players stick around, including Jackson McAndrew, who missed almost all of last season with a foot injury.