The 2023–24 UConn Huskies women's basketball team represents the University of Connecticut (UConn) during the 2023–24 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Huskies, led by Hall of Fame head coach Geno Auriemma in his 39th season at UConn, split their home games between Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on their campus in Storrs and the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. UConn is a member of the Big East Conference, which it rejoined in the 2020–21 season; it had been a member of the original Big East Conference from 1979 through 2013, and one of the original women's basketball teams in that conference in 1982.
Even after losing Dorka Juhász and Lou Lopez Sénéchal to the 2023 WNBA draft, the Huskies possess six reliable and tested starters, led by seniors Nika Mühl, Aubrey Griffin and 2023 All-American Aaliyah Edwards. Juniors Caroline Ducharme, Azzi Fudd, and 2021 All-American Paige Bueckers are returning starters in the backcourt. UConn has three others who played significant minutes, plus another solid recruiting class.
Previous season
The previous year's team began with season-ending injuries to All-American junior guard Paige Bueckers and freshman forward Ice Brady. The team played well in the early season, but injuries to Azzi Fudd, Dorka Juhász, and Caroline Ducharme often forced starters like Nika Mühl, Aubrey Griffin, and Aaliyah Edwards to play full games and graduate transfer Lou Lopez Sénéchal to take on scoring responsibilities. Mühl led all NCAA women for assists most of the season, UConn relying on her high energy and court vision to make Husky touches in the paint quick and decisive. With a light bench, Edwards, Lopez Sénéchal, Griffin, Juhász, and Mühl became a durable quintet in January; when Ducharme and Fudd returned, the team quickly improved. UConn dominated the Big East Tournament and advanced to its 29th consecutive Sweet Sixteen before being upset by a swarming Ohio State Buckeyes defense. This was the first time the Huskies failed to reach the Final Four since 2007 (not counting the COVID-disrupted 2019–20 season in which the NCAA tournament was not held).
Offseason
Departures
The Huskies graduated senior starters Dorka Juhász and Lou Lopez Sénéchal from the 2022–23 roster, both being drafted into the Women's National Basketball Association.
Injuries
Freshman forward Jana El Alfy suffered a knee injury in August while playing for the Egyptian national U19 team. After corrective surgery, El Alfy will not play this season.
Recruiting
The Huskies continued to recruit well. ESPN evaluated UConn's class of 2023 as the fourth-ranked group, behind LSU, South Carolina, and Arizona.
Recruiting class of 2024
On December 3, 2022, UConn received a verbal commitment from five-star guard Allie Ziebell of Neenah, Wisconsin.
Recruiting class of 2025
Coaching
Hall of Fame head coach Geno Auriemma and Hall of Fame associate head coach Chris Dailey returned for their 39th season. Assistant coach Jamelle Elliott was a UConn assistant coach from 1998 to 2009 and returned after a nine-year head coaching stint at Cincinnati. Assistant coach Morgan Valley was the head coach of the Hartford Hawks when hired by the Huskies. Elliott and Valley are both former UConn players.
Roster
Game summaries
Exhibition
Regular season
Schedule
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Rankings
Player statistics
Awards and honors
See also
2023–24 UConn Huskies men's basketball team
Footnotes
References
https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/article/huskies-europe-geno-auriemma-18254365.php?fbclid=IwAR1VX5nyBMwLdmRztR08bb8rbbaGV873vm1wFF2UiNNXtyClzPY4RDKQI-s