UConn Women's Basketball tests new chemistry versus Boston College
The UConn women’s basketball team prepares for the 2025-2026 regular season with an exhibition match against the Boston College Eagles on Monday, Oct. 13.
Currently, UConn owns a 32-7 record versus the Eagles, dating back to Jan. 2, 1987. The two programs last met on Nov. 17, 2005, where Connecticut defeated Boston College 60-46. Fast forward 15 years, neither team looks the same.
The pressure is on for Head Coach Geno Auriemma and the Huskies this year, as the goal is to become back-to-back National Champions.
Connecticut fans are no strangers to consecutive championships, as UConn men’s basketball Head Coach Dan Hurley accomplished that between 2022-2024. However, key departures could prevent UConn from repeating history.
UConn Roster Departures
- Paige Bueckers: Selected by the Dallas Wings with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.
- Kaitlyn Chen: Selected by the Golden State Valkyries with pick No. 30 in the third round of the 2025 WNBA draft.
- Aubrey Griffin: Selected by the Minnesota Lynx with pick No. 37 in the third round of the 2025 WNBA draft.
- Qadence Samuels: Transferred to North Carolina State University.
With the leader, Bueckers, no longer with the squad, seeing Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd split the role should come as no surprise.
In the 2024-2025 run, the Strong accumulated nearly 16.5 points, slightly under nine boards and a little over 3.5 assists per meeting. Additionally, the forward buried 58.6% of field goals and knocked down 38.8% shots from deep.
“I thought she [Strong] was really really good last year and I think she’s even better,” said Auriemma to the media. “I look forward to going to practice just to see what might happen next, somethings that she might pull off.”
When it comes to Fudd, the senior started the 2024-2025 season coming off the bench, but quickly made an impact. The guard cashed in 13.6 points, two rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest.
To fill other gaps, the program acquired several players, adding depth to the rotation.
UConn Roster Additions
- Blanca Quiñonez, Freshman, Guard: Quiñonez has competed with Magnolia Basket Campobasso in Italy’s A1 league since 2020. In the 2024-2025 stretch, the Ecuadorian native averaged 11 points, 3.5 rebounds and just over two steals per game.
- Kelis Fisher, Freshman, Guard: Fisher placed No. 25 in ESPN’s 2025 top recruiting class. In IMG Academy’s first Chipotle National Championship match, the 18-year-old contributed 25 points.
- Kayleigh Heckel, Sophomore, Guard: Heckel transferred to UConn after spending her freshman year with the USC Trojans. The New York native ended last year accumulating just over six points, about 1.5 boards and almost two assists per clash.
- Serah Williams, Senior, Forward: Williams transferred to Connecticut after playing three seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers. The 21-year-old enters the 2025-2026 campaign coming off a career-high performance in 2024. The New York native scored just over 19 points, secured nearly 10 rebounds and slightly under 2.5 assists.
- Gandy Malou-Mamel, Freshman, Center: ESPN ranked Malou-Mamel No. 75 in their 2025 top recruiting class. In her final run with Gill St. Bernard’s, the freshman averaged slightly over 17 points, a little more than 10 boards and just over two blocks per matchup.
Turning to Boston College, the Eagles saw several key players explore the transfer portal after the 2024-2025 campaign.
Top scorer T’Yana Todd landed with The Ohio State Buckeyes. Leading rebounder Teya Sidberry signed with the Texas Longhorns.
Kaylah Ivey, who topped the team with five assists, inked with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Tatum Greene, who led the program with 0.6 blocks, joined the Florida State Seminoles.
Fans can tune into the game on NBC Sports Boston or UConn+. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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