UConn Huskies Dominate Villanova As Legends Return Home

For the first time in 2026, the top-ranked UConn women’s basketball team returned home to Gampel Pavilion on January 15, welcoming the Villanova Wildcats in a clash that promised not only Big East implications but a celebration of Husky greatness. Fans packed the stands, eager for a glimpse of both the present and the past as UConn honored its legendary 2015 and 2016 national championship squads in the prestigious Huskies of Honor induction.

The air was electric well before tip-off, as the ceremony began 30 minutes prior and was streamed live on Instagram and YouTube for those unable to make it to Storrs. Nine icons from those championship rosters—Napheesa Collier, Moriah Jefferson, Tierney Lawlor, Kia Nurse (via video), Briana Pulido, Katie Lou Samuelson, Breanna Stewart, Kiah Stokes, and Morgan Tuck—were in attendance, drawing roaring ovations from the home crowd. Collier hobbled onto the court on crutches, nursing an ankle injury, while Samuelson’s entrance was met with a thunderous “LOUUUU” chant. Nurse, grounded in Canada by a snowstorm, still made her presence felt through a heartfelt message on the jumbotron.

Head coach Geno Auriemma, now in his remarkable 41st season at the helm, took a moment to reflect on the unique achievement of four consecutive national championships from 2013 to 2016—a feat he believes may never be matched. “It’s never been done before, and I can’t imagine it ever being done again,” Auriemma told the media on Wednesday. He reminisced about Breanna Stewart’s bold promise as a recruit to win four straight titles, admitting, “I thought she was crazy.” A decade later, he remains awed by the impact his former players have made, both at UConn and in the WNBA. “When you look back 10 years and the level of success, it really is beyond what you could have predicted back then,” Auriemma said.

As the ceremony concluded, attention shifted to the court, where the undefeated Huskies (now 18-0, 9-0 Big East after the game) faced a formidable Villanova squad (14-4, 7-2 Big East). The Wildcats, led by sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe—who averages 17.4 points per game and shoots around 40%—were expected to stretch UConn’s defense and test their resolve. Yet, what unfolded was a showcase of Husky dominance, fueled by a blend of history, emotion, and relentless energy.

KK Arnold, UConn’s junior point guard, delivered a performance worthy of the legends watching from the stands. Despite wearing a face mask to protect a broken nose, Arnold was everywhere—scoring a season-high 13 points, tying her career-high with seven assists, and leading the team with four steals. Her aggressive defense and fearless drives set the tone early, and her idol, Moriah Jefferson, was right there to witness it all. “It was very exciting, just having her come back and being able to watch,” Arnold said of Jefferson’s presence. “Just also having a good laugh with her as well before the game and afterward, and just having that bond, just super grateful.”

Jefferson, a Huskies great herself, made a point to embrace Arnold before the game, cementing the connection between UConn’s past and present. Arnold’s energetic play didn’t go unnoticed by her coach either. “She’s an energy-giver, and you can plug into her; she’s like a battery, and everybody else feeds off of it,” Auriemma praised. “Every team needs that, and she inspires other people to be like that.”

Arnold’s spark ignited her teammates, especially as Kayleigh Heckel encountered early foul trouble. The Huskies leaned on their starters, with sixth-woman Blanca Quiñonez stepping up in the first half. The combination of Sarah Strong, Azzi Fudd, Arnold, and Quiñonez accounted for 24 of UConn’s first 26 points, setting the tone for a relentless offensive onslaught.

Sarah Strong, the sophomore sensation, delivered a monster stat line: 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists, a season-high five blocks, and three steals. She was a force on both ends, swatting shots and muscling through defenders. At halftime, Strong already had 15 points, seven boards, and three blocks, anchoring a UConn defense that was every bit as stifling as advertised. Quiñonez chipped in 13 points, four rebounds, and two steals, helping the Huskies trap Villanova on inbound plays and keep the pressure high even as the starters rotated out.

Villanova’s best stretch came in the second quarter, when the Wildcats mounted a 10-0 run, holding UConn scoreless for nearly four minutes and forcing five turnovers. But Arnold broke the drought with a determined drive, then immediately picked off a pass and handed it to Fudd for a three-pointer. Moments later, she assisted Strong on a layup, pushing the Huskies’ lead back to 20 and quashing any hopes of a Villanova comeback.

“It gives us a lot of energy and intensity,” Strong said of Arnold’s defensive prowess. “When KK just locks in on defense like that, it carries over to our offense. So, we really appreciate her for that.”

After halftime, UConn only turned up the heat. Arnold’s personal 5-0 run kicked off a 12-3 Husky surge in the opening two minutes of the third quarter. Villanova, unable to cope with the pressure, committed a season-high 26 turnovers and shot a season-low 28 percent from the field. The Huskies’ defense—described by Serah Williams as a “flow state”—was impenetrable. “When we reach flow state on defense…it’s like wow,” Williams had said before the game, and the team certainly lived up to her words.

By the final whistle, UConn had delivered a resounding 99-50 victory. The win preserved their perfect record and sent a message to the rest of the Big East: the Huskies are as hungry as ever, with their eyes firmly set on another championship. For Auriemma, the night was a reminder of the program’s storied legacy and its bright future. “I want our players to still play with the UConn standard in mind, but to put the pressure on themselves that they must finish the season undefeated and win another championship,” he emphasized. Yet, he also stressed the importance of taking things one game at a time.

The celebration of Husky excellence continues as UConn prepares to host longtime rival Notre Dame on January 20 at 5 p.m., kicking off a new two-year home-and-home series on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. With the echoes of past champions still ringing in Gampel Pavilion, this year’s Huskies are determined to add their own chapter to the legacy—one electrifying game at a time.