UConn announces date for men’s, women’s basketball First Night

Past First Night shows have also included games between teams made up of players from both programs.

Anticipation for both teams is high.

The women bring back Paige Bueckers, who spent all of last season on the bench after incurring a sesaon-ending ACL tear. She was recently cleared for contact and has been participating in practice with the team.

Last season, the women were plagued with so many injuries that the Huskies even forfeited a contest due to not having enough healthy players available. After beating Baylor in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, UConn lost to Ohio State in the Sweet 16.

The men on the other hand had their best start to the season since 1997-98 with a 14-0 start. The Huskies struggled in conference play but garnered a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. UConn went all the way and won the program’s first national title since 2014, marking head coach Dan Hurley’s first-ever championship.

Both teams did lose key players.

The women lost two players to WNBA: 3-point threat Lou Lopez Senechal was selected by the Dallas Wings and 6-foot-2 center Dorka Juhasz went to the Minnesota Lynx.

Meanwhile the men lost their top three contributors to the NBA: lottery pick Jordan Hawkins was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans, swiss army knife Andre Jackson went to the Milwaukee Bucks and the 2023 Final Four’s MOP Adama Sanogo landed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls.

Yet, each team has exciting newcomers. The women bring in No. 6 overall recruit in her class KK Arnold, along with Qadence Samuels and Ashlynn Shade. The men have reloaded with the freshman class of Stephon Castle, Solomon Ball, Jaylin Stewart, Jayden Ross and Youssouf Singare, along with Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer.