The stage is set for a historic clash in women’s college basketball as St. John’s prepares to take on the nation’s top-ranked UConn Huskies at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2026. This isn’t just another game on the calendar—it’s a night brimming with firsts, streaks, and the kind of electric anticipation that only “The World’s Most Famous Arena” can deliver. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and fans can expect a showcase of elite talent and program milestones under the bright lights of midtown Manhattan.
For St. John’s, this matchup marks their first-ever standalone women’s basketball game at Madison Square Garden, a venue steeped in basketball lore and a symbol of New York’s sporting heart. Even more momentous, the game will be the Red Storm’s debut on terrestrial radio, airing live on 880 AM ESPN New York. The broadcast, presented by the LEARFIELD St. John’s Radio Network, will also be available on the ESPN New York and Varsity Network apps, making it accessible to fans across the region and beyond. The radio call promises to be lively and insightful, with New York Knicks radio personality Pat O’Keefe joining forces with BIG EAST women’s basketball broadcaster Maria Marino.
“We’re ecstatic to continue our partnership with ESPN New York and showcase our women’s basketball program on one of the brightest stages in sports radio,” said Ed Kull, Vice President and Director of Athletics at St. John’s. “Having St. John’s first-ever women’s college basketball radio broadcast on ESPN New York presents another incredible opportunity to elevate our program.” Kull’s enthusiasm is echoed throughout the university, with anticipation building for what promises to be a landmark night for the Red Storm.
Television viewers won’t be left out, either. National coverage will be provided by TNT, with JB Long, Christy Winters-Scott, and Autumn Johnson bringing their voices and expertise to households coast to coast. The convergence of radio and TV coverage underscores the magnitude of this contest—not just for St. John’s and UConn, but for women’s college basketball at large.
St. John’s is no stranger to the grandeur of Madison Square Garden. This will be their third consecutive year playing at MSG and the 19th appearance in program history. The Red Storm boast an impressive 11-7 all-time record at the arena, with a 5-2 tally under the guidance of Head Coach Joe Tartamella. Tartamella has steadily built a culture of competitiveness and resilience, and this game offers his squad a golden opportunity to test themselves against the very best.
Of course, the challenge before them is formidable. UConn comes into this matchup as the undisputed powerhouse of women’s college basketball. The Huskies, currently ranked No. 1 in the nation, have compiled a flawless 29-0 record overall and an 18-0 mark in BIG EAST play. Their dominance is underscored by a staggering 65-game winning streak in league competition, including tournament play, and a recent clinching of the 2025-26 BIG EAST Regular Season Championship. Their victory over Villanova last week secured them the No. 1 seed in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament—a familiar position for Geno Auriemma’s storied program.
UConn’s recent performances have only bolstered their reputation. On February 22, the Huskies dismantled Providence 81-38, recording a season-high 26 steals and forcing 39 turnovers—tying the program record for most turnovers by an opponent. Graduate student Azzi Fudd and sophomore Sarah Strong led the scoring with 13 points apiece. Redshirt sophomore Jana El Alfy was a force on the boards, grabbing a career-high 16 rebounds, while junior KK Arnold dished out a personal-best 10 assists. These numbers reflect the depth and versatility that have become hallmarks of UConn basketball.
Sarah Strong, in particular, has emerged as a player to watch. In UConn’s previous meeting with Georgetown on January 22, she exploded for 25 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, demonstrating her ability to impact the game on multiple fronts. Azzi Fudd’s consistency and leadership are equally vital, and the Huskies’ collective experience in high-stakes games gives them a clear edge heading into March.
But St. John’s won’t be intimidated. Their record at Madison Square Garden speaks to a comfort level in big moments, and the Red Storm faithful are expected to turn out in force. With ticket sales available through RedStormTix.com and group packages on offer, the university is pulling out all the stops to ensure a raucous home-court atmosphere—even if they’re technically the underdogs against a juggernaut like UConn.
The Huskies, meanwhile, are coming off a stretch of relentless excellence. Their most recent contest, a regular season home finale against Georgetown, doubled as a celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day—a fitting tribute for a program that has set the standard in women’s athletics. UConn’s all-time record against Georgetown stands at a dominant 58-6, with the Huskies winning the last 41 meetings between the two. Georgetown, led by Khia Miller’s 9.9 points per game and second-year head coach Darnell Haney, fell to Butler 66-58 in their last outing, underscoring the gulf between the league’s top and bottom tiers.
As the Red Storm prepare for their date with destiny, the broader context of women’s basketball looms large. The sport has enjoyed a surge in visibility and support, thanks to increased media coverage, record-breaking attendance, and a new generation of stars capturing the public’s imagination. St. John’s radio debut on ESPN New York is emblematic of this growth—a signal that women’s basketball is earning its place on the main stage, both literally and figuratively.
For fans unable to make it to the Garden, the array of broadcast options ensures that no one will miss a moment of the action. Whether tuning in via radio, streaming on apps, or watching on TNT, supporters of both programs—and women’s basketball as a whole—are in for a treat. The anticipation is palpable: Can St. John’s rise to the occasion and pull off a monumental upset, or will UConn’s march toward perfection continue unabated?
Regardless of the outcome, March 1 promises to be a night to remember. The Red Storm’s historic radio debut, the Huskies’ quest to remain unbeaten, and the iconic backdrop of Madison Square Garden combine to create a spectacle worthy of the sport’s brightest lights. As tip-off approaches, all eyes—and ears—will be on New York City, where history is waiting to be written.