The UConn Huskies survived a furious fourth-quarter rally from the Michigan Wolverines to win 72-69 in a heart-stopping showdown at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women's ShowcaseMohegan Sun Arena on Friday night. The game, played before a roaring crowd in Uncasville, Connecticut, wasn’t just another early-season win—it was a statement. With Azzi Fudd pouring in 31 points and Sarah Strong dominating the glass with 20 rebounds, the defending national champions held off a determined Michigan squad that refused to fold. And just like that, UConn improved to 5-0, while Michigan dropped to 4-1 in what was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
First Quarter Domination: UConn Sets the Tone
It started with a statement. UConn didn’t just come out strong—they obliterated Michigan in the opening minutes. By the end of the first quarter, the Huskies led 22-5. Sarah Strong, the 6’5" freshman center, was a one-woman wrecking crew: six points, nine rebounds, three blocks—all in the first ten minutes. Michigan looked lost. Their guards struggled to navigate UConn’s switching defense. The ball barely touched the rim for nearly five minutes. "Ten minutes of domination by the top-ranked team in the land," said one commentator. The Huskies weren’t just scoring; they were suffocating. Coach Geno Auriemma had warned his team this Michigan team was different. He wasn’t wrong.
Michigan’s Comeback: A 13-0 Run That Shook the Arena
But here’s the thing about elite teams—they don’t stay down. Down by 18 at halftime, Michigan didn’t panic. They tightened. They forced turnovers. They hit shots. And then, midway through the third quarter, it happened: a 13-0 run. Hannah Swords, Michigan’s senior guard, hit two deep threes. Olivia Olson drove through traffic for a layup. Suddenly, the lead was down to four. 49-45. The Mohegan Sun crowd, mostly clad in UConn blue, fell silent. You could feel the momentum shift. Michigan’s defense, which had looked porous earlier, now looked like a wall. They held UConn scoreless for over eight minutes. The Huskies hadn’t gone this long without a basket all season. "They were getting stopped," said FOX Sports. "And now they’re capitalizing on our mistakes."
Fudd’s Magic: The 9-0 Run That Sealed It
Then came Azzi Fudd. With the score tied at 63-63 and 2:15 left, the junior guard took over. One step-back three. Then a pull-up jumper. Then a drive-and-kick to a wide-open teammate. Nine unanswered points. Just like that, UConn was up by six. Michigan called timeout. But they never got the ball back cleanly. With 14 seconds left, Fudd was fouled on a drive and sank both free throws. 72-67. The Wolverines had one last chance. They inbounded to their point guard—identified only as ‘D’ in the YouTube transcript. Fudd read the play like a chess master. She stepped in, stripped the ball clean, and the game was over. No foul. No drama. Just cold-blooded execution.
A Historic Rivalry Begins
This wasn’t just a win. It was the birth of something new. Two powerhouse programs—UConn from the Big East, Michigan from the Big Ten—meeting for the first time on the hardwood. "I think it needs to happen more often," said the broadcast crew. And they’re right. Both teams are loaded. Michigan’s Hannah Swords, with 29 points, proved she belongs on the same court as Fudd. UConn’s depth, led by Strong’s 16-point, 20-rebound, three-block monster stat line, showed why they’re still the team to beat. Geno Auriemma, who’s coached 11 national champions since 1985, didn’t flinch. "They might be the best team we play this early in the season," he’d said before tip-off. He wasn’t just being polite. He was prophetic.
What This Means for the Season
UConn’s perfect record now stands at 5-0, and they’re not just winning—they’re winning under pressure. The Huskies have faced no true road tests yet, but this game? This was a top-10 battle in every sense. Michigan, meanwhile, has lost just once—and it came against the best team in the country. They’re not a fluke. They’re a contender. The NCAA tournament is still months away, but this game gave us a glimpse of what’s coming. More showdowns like this. More stars emerging. More reasons to watch women’s college basketball.
Behind the Scenes: The Hall of Fame Showcase
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Showcase has become a marquee event since its inception, bringing together elite programs to open the season in a setting steeped in basketball history. The Mohegan Sun Arena, opened in 2001, has hosted countless high-stakes games, from Final Four rematches to Olympic qualifiers. Friday night’s game was its most electric yet. The atmosphere wasn’t just loud—it was electric. Fans stood for the final minutes. Phones flashed. Chants of "U-C-O-N-N!" echoed through the rafters. This wasn’t just a game. It was a celebration of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Azzi Fudd’s performance compare to her previous games this season?
Fudd’s 31-point outing was her highest scoring game of the 2025-2026 season, surpassing her previous high of 26 against Florida State. She shot 11-of-21 from the field, including 5-of-9 from three, and added five assists and three steals. Her 9-0 run in the final 2:15 was the most decisive stretch of her career under pressure, and it came against a top-10 defense that had held opponents to under 60 points in three of their four prior games.
Why was Sarah Strong’s 20 rebounds so significant?
Strong’s 20 rebounds were the most by a UConn player since 2021 and the first 20-rebound game by a freshman in the program’s history. She grabbed 11 defensive boards in the first half alone, neutralizing Michigan’s physical post players. Her three blocks in the first quarter set a tone that disrupted Michigan’s entire offensive rhythm. No other player on either team had more than 10 rebounds.
What makes this the first-ever meeting between UConn and Michigan?
Despite both programs being national powers for decades, UConn and Michigan have never met in regular-season play due to conference scheduling and non-conference matchup priorities. UConn’s Big East schedule and Michigan’s Big Ten commitments rarely overlapped. This game was arranged specifically as part of the Hall of Fame Showcase, a rare opportunity to pair elite teams from different conferences. Fans had been calling for this matchup for years.
How did Geno Auriemma’s pregame comments influence UConn’s approach?
Auriemma’s public praise of Michigan—calling them "the best team we’ll face this early"—wasn’t just media savvy. It was a deliberate motivational tactic. The Huskies entered the game with extra focus, knowing they couldn’t afford to take Michigan lightly. Assistant coaches replayed Michigan’s win over Stanford as a film session. The team practiced defensive rotations specifically designed to shut down Swords and Olson. Auriemma’s words turned the game into a test of discipline, not just talent.
What’s next for UConn and Michigan after this game?
UConn heads to Stanford next Friday for a top-5 showdown, while Michigan faces Ohio State in a Big Ten battle on November 28. Both teams are projected as Final Four contenders. But this game may have changed perceptions: Michigan is now seen as a true national threat, and UConn’s ability to win under pressure has elevated their status from favorites to inevitable. The NCAA tournament bracket is still months away—but the stakes were already clear on November 21.