Michigan women’s basketball has been trying to climb its way into the top tier of hoops programs in the country and now is scheduling like it.

The Wolverines have announced a home-and-home series against Connecticut over the next two seasons, with Michigan set to host the Huskies next year at Crisler Center on Nov. 5, 2026 in the first of the meetings. The two will play in Connecticut during the 2027-28 season at a date that’s not yet been determined.

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Kim Barnes Arico’s squad knew it was going to have an elite group this season when it first faced UConn at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, for the Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase. The Huskies punched the Wolverines in the mouth early, going up 22-5 after one, before U-M clawed its way back inside of one possession in the closing second, before ultimately coming up short in a 72-69 loss.

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Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico reacts to a play against N.C. State during the second half of NCAA Tournament Second Round at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico reacts to a play against N.C. State during the second half of NCAA Tournament Second Round at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Michigan fell to Texas in the Elite Eight this past season while UConn made it to the Final Four for the 17th time in the past 18 seasons (since 2008, the 2023 season is the only time the Huskies were not in the Final Four). Michigan, meanwhile, has never made the Final Four in program history.

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Still, Michigan comes off its best season in program history, which included a 17-1 record at Crisler Center this past season with victories in the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament in Ann Arbor. The only loss at home came to eventual national champion UCLA.

Michigan figures to be a formidable squad in 2026-27, as it returns its top five scorers from last season in Olivia Olson (18.9 points per game), Syla Swords (14.6 ), Mila Holloway (12.3), Te’Yala Delfosse (8.7) and Ashley Sofilkanich (7.7).

Upper bowl tickets for the Nov. 5 game at Crisler are available for purchase starting at $26 each with a limit of eight per customer.

Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan women’s basketball to host powerhouse UConn at home in 2026