For the women, Monday’s game is the first of three preseason exhibitions before the Huskies open the regular season hosting Cornell on Nov, 2 in Hartford. UConn will also play exhibitions against Texas (Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in Hartford) and Army (Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. in Storrs).

The Huskies and the Orange most recently saw each other in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in March in Storrs. UConn ended Syracuse’s season with a 98-45 blowout thanks to eight 3-pointers and 34 points from Azzi Fudd and a suffocating 31-0 run in the first half.

While the two programs may no longer be Big East foes, new competitive tension is brewing as UConn knocked the Orange out of the NCAA Tournament in their last three consecutive appearances (2021, 2024 and 2026) – all in the second round, too.

However, it’s all in good fun as the two programs share a couple of connections:

Syracuse, which opens the season on Nov. 3 hosting Sacred Heart, is led by star sophomore Uche Izoje. The 6-foot-3 center earned WBCA All-American honorable mention and led the ACC with 85 blocks (finished fourth nationally).

Here are three key things to watch on Monday night:

Monday marks the unofficial UConn debut of newcomers Olivia Vukosa, Jovana Popovic and Marine Dursus. Dursus didn’t participate in the Huskies’ open practice on Sept. 20 due to a foot injury and isn’t expected to play on Monday as she continues to recover. Vukosa and Popovic impressed in the practice with their lack of hesitation, speed and aggression. Battling Izoje in the paint will be a great first test for Vukosa, UConn’s 6-5 freshman center.

One of the biggest holes to fill this season will be replacing Fudd on the outside. Junior Allie Ziebell is expected to be the frontrunner for the job; however, she’s also been sidelined this preseason due to an ankle injury. Outside of Sarah Strong and Ziebell, look to Heckel and fellow guards KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade to provide depth from deep.

Auriemma has teased that reigning National Player of the Year Sarah Strong may just be even better this year. The junior is back to basketball after taking the summer off to heal nagging Achilles soreness. Strong begins her upperclassman years as UConn’s No. 1 go-to option and is expected to develop into more of a vocal leader. Monday’s game will be fans’ first glimpse into this new, and maybe even improved, Sarah Strong.